Zee TV stars share their experiences on working with the channel...

We have already carried an article on Zee TV honchos Subhash Chandra and Punit Goenka’s thoughts on the channel completing 20 glorious years in television business. All along, the channel has entertained its viewers with shows like Hasratein, Tara, Astitva … Ek Prem Kahani, Hum Paanch, DID in recent times, among many others. Currently, the channel is serving a varied platter of content in the fiction and non-fiction genre. Tellychakkar.com decided to talk to actors working in different Zee TV shows and ask them their thoughts on the channel’s superb run. Read on… Said Ankita Lokhande, aka Archana of Pavitra Rishta, “Years ago, I took part in Zee Cinestars Ki Khoj and in 2009 I was offered a role in Pavitra Rishta. All this goes to show that I was discovered and re-discovered again by Zee. And in the last three years of my association with the channel, I've grown as an actor and gained people’s affection. I’d like to wish Zee TV the very best on completing 20 years.” Ankita continued, “I think Zee TV’s 20th anniversary marks a significant milestone in the journey of Indian entertainment. My heartiest congratulations to the channel for that. After all, it is Zee TV that ushered in the era of satellite television in India way back in 1992. Since then, we’ve come a long way in which television has evolved in umpteen areas. Zee TV has been at the forefront of introducing many of these changes and driving the progress of the industry as a whole. “I am proud to be playing the role of Manav in Pavitra Rishta. Stepping into the shoes of an already-established and immensely popular character played by another actor (Sushant Singh Rajput) is always a challenge and I am glad the audience has welcomed me with open arms. I wish the channel several more such significant milestones,” averred Hiten Tejwani. Kratika Sengar, who has been associated with Zee TV, from her first show Jhansi Ki Rani shared her association with the channel thus, “I can never thank Zee TV enough for having given me not one but two roles of a lifetime. Playing a woman of the formidable stature of Jhansi Ki Rani does not happen in the lifetime of every actor. To think that I was given the opportunity at such an early stage in my career makes me feel deeply humbled. It’s a role that has inspired millions of women across the country. Furthermore, I am equally proud of the fact that my current show Punar Vivah on Zee TV has made a positive difference to the public mindset about the issue of re-marriage. It’s an honor to be associated with Zee TV, a channel that has taken its role of driving social change so responsibly. My best wishes to the channel on completion of 20 glorious years.” “As a child, I grew up watching many of Zee TV shows be it Banegi Apni Baat, Hum Paanch or Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. Little did I know that someday I’d play the lead of one of its immensely popular shows. I am extremely glad to be associated with Zee TV by way of a show of the caliber of Punar Vivah. The show was not only entertaining, but it threw up some crucial questions and gave the viewers food for thought gradually making a positive difference in their attitude towards re-marriage. Here’s wishing Zee TV the very best on its completion of 20 years. May the channel continue to bring wholesome entertainment into our lives for several decades to come,” stated Gurmeet Choudhary aka Yash, who recently won the Colors’ Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa trophy for best performer. Rati Pandey, who is currently seen in Hitler Didi, couldn’t stop thanking Zee TV, as she remarked, “I can never thank Zee TV enough for giving me a striking character that I will be remembered for years to come. Scores of women from all over the country admire my character of Hitler Didi for her ability to stand up and fight for justice and fairness. She is a pillar of strength for her loved ones and knows how to shoulder big responsibilities without flinching. The tough-as-nails Hitler Didi will always remain one of my most favourite roles. God bless Zee TV on its 20th anniversary.” Rithvik Dhanjani, who got the third position in Colors’ Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa said, “Zee TV has given television so many faces that have grown to attain ‘family member’ status in the audience’s minds. I have been extremely fortunate to have been roped in to play the role of Arjun in Pavitra Rishta. The show has opened up numerous doors for me and it is an honour to be a part of such an iconic show that has moved the hearts of millions across the nation. I wish Zee TV hearty congratulations on reaching such a milestone and wish them much more success in the years ahead.” Chetan Pandit explained Zee TV’s journey as he observed, “Zee TV, which was the first satellite channel in India, has given the industry some superlative talents in the fields of both singing and dancing, whether it has been through Sa Re Ga Ma Pa or Dance India Dance. Some of its iconic shows like Hasratein, Tara, Astitva … Ek Prem Kahani stay evergreen in the minds of an entire generation. It is a pleasure to wish Zee TV a very happy 20th birthday.” “Completing 20 years is simply huge! On this fabulous occasion, I would like to wish Zee TV a very very happy birthday!!! Here’s wishing that Zee TV continues to produce such a wide array of engaging programming content for many more years to come,” quipped TV hottie Ashish Sharma who is currently seen in Rab Se Sona Ishhq. The Ramayan star cast too went on to wish Zee TV as Neil Bhatt aka Laxman said, “I have had the pleasure of doing two shows on Zee TV. Both 12/24 Karol Bagh and Ramayan have been extremely gratifying experiences for me, as an actor. The channel has been extremely kind to me through the years and I will always have immense respect for the people who are behind it for this. Here’s wishing Zee TV a very Happy Birthday. May we continue to grow from strength-to- strength?” While Gagan Malik aka Ram stated, “Zee TV has helped me fulfill my mother’s dream of seeing me play the role of Ram as she is a devout bhakt of Lord Rama. I am eternally grateful to the channel for giving me this opportunity. I think that Zee TV is the first satellite channel in the country to complete 20 years. I am extremely proud to be a part of this channel in this glorious year. Congratulations Zee TV!” Stated Neha Sargam aka Sita, “Right since the time I was a kid, I have been watching several shows of Zee TV. I used to love watching Hum Paanch and Gubbare with my family. I think Zee TV has had a history of producing some of the most iconic shows in the country and it is a huge privilege for me to be able to play Sita, a role that comes by only once in a lifetime. Here’s wishing Zee TV a happy 20th birthday and many, many more decades of entertaining India.” Well… after the Gods of TV, dancing guru Mithun Chakraborty wished Zee TV. “I have tremendous respect for Zee TV because this is the only GEC that gives the common man or aam janta a global platform, be it Sa Re Ga Ma Pa or Dance India Dance. It has created superstars out of common people and this is what makes Zee TV stand out vis-a-vis its competitors. Wish you a very happy birthday! Umeed Se Saje Zindagi.” Ace dancer and choreographer Terrence Lewis who has been associated with Zee TV’s Dance India Dance (DID) said, “DID has not only changed the face of dance reality shows but it has also changed the perception of parents regarding their kids taking up dance as a career option. I am happy to hear that after DID, more and more parents have encouraged their kids to join dance classes and be more serious about this art form. Not only showcasing dance forms around the world, but DID has also pioneered dance education. Zee TV and DID have a long way to go. Cheers… to its glorious 20 years.” “The journey of Zee TV in the last 20 years has been stupendous, fantabulous, fantastically, magical. My journey from being a choreographer to the Nation's mother, Geeta Ma is nothing short of a dream journey. Happy birthday to you,” said Geeta Kapoor. Shankar Mahadevan and Sajid-Wajid who’ve made their comeback with Sa Re Ga Ma Pa on Zee TV observed, “We have been both associated with the channel in the earlier seasons of Sa Re Ga Ma and its has been an honour to be associated with such an iconic show. Zee has not only created superstars, but has also created iconic shows in the 20 years of its existence. May their dream run continue for another 100 years!” Varun Badola who has been associated with the channel from his Banegi Apni Baat days said, “I have been associated with Zee TV since 1994; Banegi Apni Baat being my first every TV show. Zee TV has been a pioneer on many fronts as far as the Indian TV scenario is concerned. It has always been a pleasure to work for the channel. Wishing Zee TV a very happy 20th birthday.” “We have all been associated with Zee TV in some way or the other. Being the oldest private satellite channel in India, we all have fond recollections of our favourite shows on Zee TV. If I may say so, I think we have grown up with Zee,” shared Narayani Shastri. Nandish Sandu, who recently joined the Zee family with Phir Subah Hogi, said, “It has been a glorious 20 years for Zee. The channel has explored a wide spectrum of topics in its programming, yet stayed true to its roots. This is one channel which can definitely be called a complete family entertainer. I am very proud to be associated with Zee TV. Wish it a very happy birthday.” Finally, remarked Krutika Desai (Phir Subah Hogi), “Number is not the only yardstick to judge the success of a TV channel. As far as numbers are concerned, Zee TV has always retained its podium position but more than that, it has mirrored the society's sentiments, family values and has created a sizable social impact. The channel has achieved innumerable milestones, but has always been humble in its approach. My respect, gratitude and best wishes to the channel on its 20th birthday.” We too wish Zee TV a very Happy Birthday!!!