MUMBAI: Marathi language channel ETV Marathi has announced its programme packaging targeted at the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections.
Randhumali - Chanda teh Bandha, anchored by famous actor Prakash Inamdar will see Inamdar donning various get-ups and visiting different towns to get the view of the public on the upcoming state elections. He will be staging shows in a total of 35 different towns, including ones in the interior where the channel has a strong foothold.
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Ranshinga- Pragati pustak mantryanachi will have the local people rating the state ministers. Anchored by veteran journalist Kumar Ketkar, the chat show will have him rendezvousing with the ministers', both former and present. While the invitees answer his incisive question, the audience will have a clearer picture of the politician, his ambitions, aspirations and potential.
During this interactive programme, audiences can SMS in their responses and their comments. The channel will then rate the minister's progress and rank him. The result will be aired during the consecutive programmes
Ransangram - Dhobipachad presents face off between two political rivals debating on various issues. The show is anchored by popular actor Rahul Solapurkar, who is known for his towering personality and impressive politico-social knowledge.
Another new show Ranvir is divided into two sections:
1. Mahaneta
2. Yuva Neta contest
Mahaneta- The channel will urge the audience to urge suggest their favourite politician via postal letters, e-mails, SMS, fax or Integrated Voice Response (IVR) to ETV. The channel will then compile all the names and select the top ten choices.
The channel will install video polling booths in select 100 towns in Maharastra and will then urge the audiences to come to the booth and video record their sound bytes on "who is their favourite politician and why?" The selection however has to be from the top ten list that the channel will put out. The politician that bags most votes is awarded with a "Mahaneta" award.
Whilst with the Yuva Neta Spardha (contest), the channel aims to build its youth viewership base. The channel will organise a contest for the 15-25 years old, wherein the interested participants have to write a 250-word essay on topic "What would I do if I were the Chief Minister". In addition to the essay the participants will have to send their photographs and age written clearly on their details. ETV will shortlist 100 entries out of these and select them for the next level.
The final round will be held in Mumbai where the contestants will have to come and narrate their essays. The jury will include two of Maharastra's top-notch politicians and former chief ministers, who will select one entry and crown him/her the Yuva Neta .
Before the results of the state election, both the Mahaneta and the Yuva Neta will be awarded on a programme called Tickle teh political.
Talking to Indiantelevision.com, ETV Marathi programming head Sanjay Dabke claimed that the channel had been giving tough competition to Hindi channels the evening programming band in the Maharashtra market. ETV chief producer Manvi said, after making it big in West Bengal with ETV Bangla, the focus would be shifted to Marathi soon.
