Alpha Marathi has announced the commencement of the serial 405 Anandwan. Producer, director and writer Pratima Kulkarni was behind the highly successful Prapancha which ran for 78 episodes on the channel.

A channel spokesperson said that Prapancha was one of the few serials that held its ground during the onslaught of the Kaun Banega Crorepati phenomenon on Star Plus. Prapancha ratings hovered between 2 - 3 which is normal for the channel.

Prapacha which concluded last May on the channel dealt with a joint Maharashtrian family. In fact there was demand for the show long after it wrapped up but apparently Pratima Kulkarni decided that it was time to move on.

405 Anandwan which commenced last week airs every Tuesday at 9:30 pm. It sees stars of Prapancha like Sudhir Joshi, Anand Ingle return to create the magic through a different theme. Pratima Kulkarni has tried to showcase the positive nature of todays youth. The perception today is that the youth are self centred and lack a larger perspective on issues affecting the world.

While all that is true the serial attempts to strike a balance by showcasing the sensitive, serious and introspective side of todays youth. The fact that not all of them are happy-go-lucky is the perspective that the show will adopt.

The residents of 405 Anandavan are a brother and sister who are home alone as their parents are working in Nigeria. Relatives, friends and neighbours frequently troop in and out of the place. Characters include a bookworm and a student trying to become a veterinary doctor much against the wishes of his mother.

The home thus becomes a place where social activity takes place sometimes with comical and at other times with tragic results. The youth's relationship with society is examined through apparently mundane situations. In this manner they learn and grow.

The spokesperson also said that from Thursday at 9:30 pm the channel will show a serial Sai Baba. This is the first time a serial on Indian television has dealt with the subject. It deals with his relevance in modern India, why people continue to put their faith in him. It has been directed by Deboo Devdar and Sharavani Devdar.

The channel won plaudits on 16 March at the Maharashtra Times Sanmaan Awards which took place at Rang Bhavan. The channel bagged nine out of ten awards for serials like Zale Mokhale Aakash and Nupur. In an ironic twist of fate rival channel ETV bagged the rights to show the programme.