Star One to launch Shakuntala on February 2

Televisionpoint.com Correspondent | Mumbai
Star One, the second Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC) from Star India, will launch a contemporary epic love story, Shakuntala, from February 2, every Monday to Thursday at 9.30 pm.

The concept is originally a poem written by the celebrated Indian poet, Kalidas. The show is produced by Sagar Pictures.

Monika Shergill, creative director, Star One, says, "We are proud to present the masterpiece, Shakuntala, to our viewers in a daily half hour format. The fable is produced by Moti Sagar and we are confident that Sagar Pictures has the skill set to do full justice to this timeless classic."

Amrit Sagar of Sagar Pictures, says, "We are excited to develop this subject because the story is something that people have only heard of and we took it up as a challenge to unfold this eternal saga on television."

According to the series, Shakuntala was the daughter of celestial beauty Menaka and sage Vishwamitra. She was abandoned by her parents' right after she was born, and the baby is found by sage Kanva, who gives her refuge and raises her like his own daughter.

Shakuntala grows up to be a breath taking beauty. In a chance encounter, she meets king Dushyant, the love of her life. Circumstances separate Shakuntala from King Dushyant and this is just the beginning of her journey of love, sacrifice and devotion.

In the coming months, Star One will extend its weekday prime time slot with three more fiction shows, which will be light-hearted and appeal to an older audience. As of now, Star One has four shows in the prime time band including Hello Kaun Pehchaan Kaun, Dill Mill Gayye, Miley Jab Hum Tum and Ssshhh Phir Koi Hai.

As per TAM Media's figures on Hindi GECs for Week 4, for C&S 4+ audiences in Hindi speaking markets, Star One commands a 5 per cent share of the overall pie, with 64 GRPs.