Begum Nawazish Ali to go off-air

Reshuffling of the shows has become a common norm in the television industry. In order to pump up a sagging show the channel often changes the timings of the show. The latest in the row is 9X’s Begum Nawazish Ali. The show which was earlier airing on Saturday’s at 10 p.m. is now shifted to Sundays at 11:00 p.m. If rumours are to be believed then the show will be pulled off-air in April. Sources suggest that the show will go off-air owing to low TRPs. It is also suggested that the guests coming on the show are paid to make appearances. “This is not Koffee with Karan that actors would come willingly on account of friendship with the host. And thus one has to even pay the actors to come on the show. In fact this happens on any such talk show that doesn’t have a popular host,” informs the source. “If the show is business to the channel then it is business for the actors gracing the show as well. The channel gets money from the sponsors and advertisers and the actors get it from the channel,” adds the source. Deepak Dhar from Endemol, producer of the show says, “It’s a finite series so it can’t continue life-long. We are currently working on the capsule which would last till April. About the status of the show post April and this sudden reshuffling one must contact the channel.” Indrani Mukerjea, CEO and Founder INX Media Pvt. Ltd. on the rescheduling of the show says, “The rescheduling is done because new programs are coming in.” Talking about the rumours of the talk show going off-air, Indrani says, “All the rumours are incorrect. We have commissioned Endemol to do 26 episodes of Begum and we are airing all the 26. Have you ever heard of an infinite chat show? Of course new programs are brought in when a program ends. We can’t disclose what it is at present.” Watch this space for what’s next. It’s only a few days to go.