TELE BUZZ

Farha-Rohan teamed again
Rohan Kapoor and Farha had made their debut aeons ago in Yash Chopra’s Faasle. While Farha went on to do some memorable roles in Dacait and Naqab besides films like Rakhwala and Love 86, Rohan disappeared after a couple of easily forgettable films. Now the two are being paired again in Himesh Reshmaiya’s Andaz. Rohan who’s happy about their reel reunion beams, “It looks like we are destined to work together.” Amen!

Hero’98 launched in Chennai
Hero 98, that’s not the name of another film but a software launched recently at a grand bash in Chennai which will cater to needs of film and television producers. The result of a joint effort between Multimedia Export Corporation (a unit of M/s Kavithalaya) and Zylog systems, the first copy of Hero ’98 was handed over by K Balachander to KRG (Rajagopalan.) “All aspects of production accounting have been clearly foreseen and incorporated in the unique software package which makes the producers job tensionfree” points out B Kandaswamy of Multimedia corporation. Hero ’98 will also assist in preparing a meticulous budget ensuring that producers don’t overstep it during the production period.

A homely show on NBC
If you are tired of looking at the same old boring walls of your home and wish for a model home, here’s what you should do, switch on to Home And Garden TV, a show that caters to those people who love to fret and fuss over their homes. Every weekday Home and Garden TV on NBC brings its viewers tips on how to improve home and garden alongwith info on pet care, wine cellars, interiorscapes and attractive garden designs. An interior designer is brought in to share his skills and tell you how to create a dream home.

Discovery’s School Contest
Come summer holidays and school students can look forward to winning attractive prizes which include grand cash prizes of Rs 10000, Rs 8000 and Rs.5000. Discovery T-Shirts and Milo watches are also up for grabs. For this, all that the students have to do is keenly watch the programmes on Discovery Channel from April to June 1998. Sponsored by Nestle Milo, Milo Summer Contest, open to students from classes VIII to X, is essentially an essay writing competition. Naturally, the essay would revolve around any one of the four programmes - Going Wild, Pop Sci, Living Asia and Eco Challenge aired between April 6 to June 6.

The Dalai Lama on Ek Din Ek Jeevan
STAR News was first to corner Richard Gere at Dharamshala for an exclusive and now Plus Channel has managed to get His Holiness, The Dalai Lama to grant an interview in Ek Din Ek Jeevan. His Holiness Dalai Lama speaks about what attracts the famous and glamorous people to Buddhism, his association with India and the role the Government of India has played, his desire to return to Tibet, the importance of rituals and what it feels like being God and King. He also shares with the viewers details about his life which includes his separation from his parents as a child and his desire to keep the cultural heritage of Tibet alive. Tavleen Singh who anchors the show, also speaks to people who come to Dharamshala and finds out what’s so special about The Dalai Lama. The episode is to be telecast on STAR Plus on April 11.

Zee revises Wednesday timeslots
Wednesday may no longer belong to Sony. Zee plans to win back its Wednesday viewers and give Sony tough competition. With a bouquet of popular programmes like Boogie Woogie, Dekh Bhai Dekh, Kahne Mein Kya Harz Hai in prime slots, Sony claimed to be the most watched channel on Wednesdays. But now the No.1 satellite channel has decided to reschedule the timings of its popular programmes. From April 15, one can watch the immensely successful teen drama Banegi Apni Baat at 8.30 pm followed by Ravi Rai’s Teacher at 9.00 pm. Then it’s time for the goose pimples, with the eerie Woh at 9.30 pm but you can ease off the tensions with Baat Ban Jaye at 10 pm. With both channels pitting their top programmes against each other the competition is surely heating up.

Rakhi is off the press
Last week we had reported that Rakhi Vijan had been replaced by Vaishnavi in Awaaz Ki Duniya and that suddenly she was finding herself out of favour with some producers. When we recently bumped into her on the sets of Baat Ban Jaye and tried to quiz her about the controversies Rakhi frowned darkly, “Sorry, I am off the press.” Not only did she refuse to answer any queries she even refused to be clicked. Wonder what’s made her so averse to the media? She’s not exactly a hot star on the tele-circuit to act so pricey. Maybe, she thinks that ‘off the press’ stand will keep her away from awkward questions which will leave her dumbstruck!