YRF to launch four weekly one-hour features

Buzz is that Yashraj Films (YRF), apart from telecasting their first ever-daily soap, Rishta.com, with newbies, would soon be producing a series of four one-hour features for Sony Entertainment.

Buzz is that Yashraj Films (YRF), apart from telecasting their first ever-daily soap, Rishta.com, with newbies, would soon be producing a series of four one-hour features for Sony Entertainment, which will feature established as well as new actors.

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A source close to the film production house confirms this and reveals that the series would air every weekend from December this year. Each feature would have a different theme and story. Apparently, Kabir Khan, who directed New York and Kabul Express for Yashraj Films, is anchoring the project.

“One of the four stories is a thriller. Currently, it’s titled Seven and features Shama Sikandar and Bakul Thakkar in key roles,” says the source.

“It was being shot near Fun Republic, Andheri a few afternoons ago. The features are being treated like individual movies in terms of the money spent and the quality of the content,” the source adds.

Sikandar, who rose to fame with Ye Meri Life Hai, confirmed that she is part of a Yashraj project but refused to divulge details.

Sony’s Danish Khan didn’t deny or confirm the news. “The channel will be announcing a collaboration with Yashraj Films soon. We would be working together. The details are undecided yet,” he said, adding, “We’re working on how we’d want to take this association forward. Content generation is certainly a part of the deal. But by the time the content starts flowing in, a year would have gone by.”

Rishta.com, Beyttab Dil Ki Tammanna, Pyaar ka Bandhan and now a short feature series, all point out to the fact that the channel has pulled up its socks and wants to |better its fiction shows, given that a major chunk of the re-launch shows have not done well. Chittod Ki Rani Padmini Ka Johur went off air in less than three months of its launch, while Palampur Express is on its way out.

“Yeah, we’re working on improving the content further. Our reality shows seem to have a better audience,” concedes Khan. However, he’s quick to add, “Ekta Kapoor is extremely involved with her two shows, Beyttab Dil Ki Tammanna and Pyaar Ka Bandhan. They are different from her previous lot. So, for now, we’re only keeping our fingers crossed.”

“My creative team has read the scripts for both and has seen some footage too. They’re extremely excited about the content. I hope the excitement encapsulates the audience too,” says Khan.