MUMBAI: Sticking to its word of providing entertaining content to all kinds of audiences and focus on the youth, Viacom 18’s regional GEC ETV Marathi is all set to thrill the viewers with a new action road trip show called Zhunj Marathmoli.

The title that is derived from an expression used for a cock fight in the interiors of Maharashtra means ‘fight for respect as a true Maharashtrian’ that will be proved through tasks to test the contestants’ grit and determination.

The show will also be aired at the 9:00 pm slot post the end of Kon Hoeel Marathi Crorepati (KHMC) season two once the IPL fever settles down in May or June. Currently KHMC is aired on Mondays and Tuesdays. However, the days for airing the new show being hosted by well known Bollywood actor Shreyas Talpade has not yet been finalised.

14 Marathi celebrity contestants will contest in the tasks that are rooted in the Marathi culture across 12 cities including Nashik, Latur, Vidharba etc. Well known production house Ramesh Deo Productions (RDP) is behind this show, the production for which will begin only next month. The ETV team had been working on the concept since the last four to five months. This will be the first show being produced by RDP for ETV after its acquisition by Viacom 18. Prior to the acquisition also it has done shows for the channel.

Viacom 18 EVP and business head of ETV Marathi and ETV Gujarati Anuj Poddar says that the series has all the scale to draw the attention of the younger audiences along with maintaining the conventional regional GEC audiences as well. “With Zhunj Marathmoli we have continued with our intent of launching shows that break new grounds of innovation in the regional space, striking a balance between contemporary thought and traditional values. Shreyas has the attitude and the youthful appeal. He is a well known Marathi personality who is rooted in his culture and has also gone out and achieved things,” he says.

Speaking on his debut role as host Shreyas Talpade said “Coming back to Marathi Television with a show like Zhunj Marathamoli that will take me closer to my roots is like coming back home. Apart from allowing me to exploit my adventurous streak & connect with the youth of Maharashtra, this show gives me a sense of immense pride. I have travelled across the length and breadth of Maharashtra before. This show has allowed me to understand and connect with my motherland”.