Hyderabad: "Sanjeevani", a 52 episode
Socio Fantasy Telugu serial to go on air on Gemini TV from 19th June in 3.30pm
to 4.00pm slot. Presented by Sanjeevani Entertainers, a debutant TV production
house cast three foreigners along with Mr. Prasad Babu a well known cine star,
Mr. Siva Srikar, Mr. Ajay Ghosh another top TV star and Ms. Sandhya, a heroine
of feature film Nimisham.
Besides being the first Telugu TV serial to cast foreign
actors who also happen to be debutants, it is the first TV serial to have been
produced totally outdoor at Araku Valley in the forestry backdrop. The foreign
cast include Mr. Stephen, Ms. Anna and Mr. Harrison all Russians. While two of
them are working and another is studying in Hyderabad.
The serial hovers around five characters who are in search of
Sanjeevani--the Tree of Life, the juice of which said to revive unconscious
person. In Indian Mythology, the Veer Hanuman, the greatest jewel among bhaktas
said to have brought the Sanjeevani mountain’s herbs to save the injured
Lakshman. Since time immemorial, the trees have a special place in our culture.
Long before eco-friendly attitude became the inthing, respect for trees as
ingrained in the Indian ethos. The tree is worshipped by offering turmeric and
vermilion. The ancient Indian texts mention certain trees with astonishing
properties. Three foreigners on learning the magic prowess of this great tree of
India whose leaves said to be shining in the dark come to our country in search
of the Sanjeevani. Thus goes on the melo drama for next 52 episodes.
Produced by Mr. Chanti Kancharla and Mr. Shivaji Varma who
had dream to become actors ended up producing the play. It is directed by Mr.
Varaanjaneyulu who earlier was an associate director with well known Tollywood
Director Mr. Raghavender Rao Vara Mullapudi and others. Though being the first
timers, producers never comprised on quality of the production. They even went
ahead to put up a Gudem Set at a cost of Rs three lakh to bring more nativity to
the story.
The serial already has a backing of good advertisers. And the
director is confident of it being well received.
-MK
Reachout's News Bureau
June'
2004
