Zee’s ‘Business Baazigar’ to take off finally

The reality drama series begins March 31

‘Business Baazigar’, the new reality show on Zee TV, is all set to air from March 31. The show was to begin in March 2005, with a buzz being created about it from as early as December 2004.

The game show will offer the common man an opportunity to turn his business idea into reality, provided he completes the gruelling tasks set by the jury. Subhash Chandra, chairman, Zee Telefilms; Mahesh Murthy, CEO, Passionfunds; and Prof. Anil Gupta of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, will judge the business acumen of the participants.

Punit Goenka, business head, Zee TV, says, “The concept of the show had immense potential and, last year, when we made the announcement to launch the show, we realised we were not doing justice to its concept and format. We started again, and now that we are satisfied, we will air the show.”

Adds Alankar Jain, director-producer of ‘Business Baazigar’, “After 3,000 hours of recording, we had to extract 24 hours of filming, so we wanted it to be crisp and fresh enough to be entertaining and simple at the same time. Yes, it did take a lot of time to rework the show, but we are happy with the final product.”

According to Jain, while the announcements were made for the show to go on air in March, the shooting for it started in February.

The ‘crisp’ version of the show will run for 24 episodes, every Friday and Saturday at 8 pm. According to Jain, 60 per cent of the show has already been shot.

In terms of expectations from the show, Goenka says, “We have put all our energy into the show, which is not a take on international shows. So, whatever the ratings, we will be creatively satisfied. Applaud is as welcome as criticism. However, if the public does like it, we might plan ‘Business Baazigar 2’.”

While the promos have been on air for quite a while now, the real marketing strategy will take place when the show begins. Zee TV and its media agency, FCB Ulka, are planning a complete 360-degree communication assault.

© 2006 agencyfaqs!