A desi Saturday Night Live on Star!

Is originality in short supply? Or would we rather piggy back on the assured success of a tested western show format??

Now, they are bringing Saturday Night Live, in a desi version if you please, to Indian TV. Remember we told you Zee is toying with the idea of bringing Sex and the City to our screens? Now, Star is firming up its plans to Indianise the 29 ear old popular NBC series to the soon-to-be-launched Star One.

While SNL in the US has reportedly helped folks like Eddie Murphy and Adam Sandler get their start in the world of entertainment, SNL here has already roped in the likes of Cyrus Broacha, Cyrus Sahukar, Suresh Menon, Brijesh Hirjee, Delnaz Paul and many others. The anchoring will be shared depending on the availability of the chosen lot. Interviews, gags… and lots more on Star One, if you please!

A little bird tells us that In House Productions' CEO Shailesh Dave first floated the idea of localising SNL, but the show will now be created by Contiloe Films, with Dave having decided to quit In House and take his creative energies elsewhere.

Dave has some more aces up his sleeve too, tells us avian source. He is now thinking up another show ‘Dil Kya Chahta Hai’ (again on Star One) starring Samir Soni, Gaurav Chopra, Nikhil Acharya and newcomer Samir Sharma. A male-centric show for a change, on channels choc a bloc with simpering saas and soutens. And for those who loved Farhan Akhtar's Dil Chahta Hai, here's news that should gladden the heart - Dave's show is inspired heavily from the peppy DTH. You think a TV series on the theme can be a patch on Akhtar's effervescent work of art? We ain't saying anything till we watch this one!

Well, well, well. Sony's enthusiasm to cross promote shows is spilling over from shows like Jassi....and Ye Meri Life Hai to others too. Wait for a week or two, and you will see the unsmiling tough cop ACP Pradyuman of CID crossing over into Saaksshi to help out the intrepid reporter in a seemingly uncrackable case!

The story goes somewhat this way - Amidst a lonely cottage in the hills and moments of closeness and intimacy, Saaksshi and Shekhar have to solve a new mystery. The Astra office has been ransacked and files pertaining to the Secret Defence have been hacked and are to be handed over to a Pakistani diplomat. Saaksshi and Shekhar have to keep watch on the cottage where the exchange is likely to happen. The hacker apparently is an Astra insider, so ACP Pradyuman, played by the brilliant Shivaji Satam makes his special appearance to solve the case.

Just a caveat for all you Satam fans.....if the cricket matches get rescheduled to 17 September, wait for another week to catch the special episode.

Wondered where Achint Kaur will be going post the demise of Kittie Party? We thought we would catch up with the lady with the delicately angular looks and stylish deportment to check which shows she's taking up next. But she surprised us with her plans. "I am getting into partnership with an international chain of salons called Beyond The Fringe, which is planning an outlet in Lokhandwala," an excited Achint told us.

3000 square feet of a bungalow, loads of investment and energy are being put into the effort by Achint and the Hong Kong headquartered chain, which already has two outlets in Mumbai. She's quite rightly fired up by the new project, but when we quizzed her about her TV plans, Achint's says this is a sabbatical. "There are offers, but I am not taking them. Nothing exciting!" she says.

Gauri leaves for Switzerland minus Hiten
Dashing couple Hiten Tejwani-Gauri Pradhan who were supposed to leave for Switzerland together for a new track in Ekta Kapoor's flagship Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi were forced to change their plans. The good-looking Sindhi guy had lots of work pending. His role in Kahiin To Hoga has been stretched and will now last till Kashish (Aamna Shariff) and Sujal (Rajeev Khandelwal) tie the nuptial knot. So, Gauri left without hubby dearest on Tuesday. Mixing work and pleasure for the newly-weds will have to wait, it seems. Tsk! Tsk! As for others who will be required in the Switzerland track- here's the list: Smriti Z Iraani, Rohit Bakshi, Ritu Chaudhary and Aakashdeep Saigal. Meanwhile, Hiten and Gauri's reel life marriage is still about a month away, for those crossing their fingers for the star-crossed Kyunki... lovers.

Vikas drove her in
Were you there at the Zee Smile Party? If you could take your eyes off from the sizzling Niki Aneja and the gorgeous Prachee Shah (glued to her mobile), you would have seen the dashing Vikas Bhalla looking lost and alone, but suddenly rushing out with a sparkle in his eyes. After a few minutes, we saw him driving in with the voluptuous Sangeeta Ghosh in pink top and blue jeans (both tight at the right places). Well, well, well…

Aman sulking?
The magic wand which occupied centre-stage and consequently put Saakshi Tanwar's character in the backdrop (Juhi Parmar will have no complaints for that, we're sure) is fast coming to an end. Aman Varma will be phased out of Sony's Devi. We wonder whether this serial has anything left to offer in terms of interesting content. More on Aman's sorrow. Khullja Sim Sim which is now being made by BAG Films will star the other flamboyant male of Indian television, Hussain! Sometime back, Aman had told us that he was likely to do a big game show. We get a feeling that he was the original choice of the newer version and the deal fell through!

Manav's parallel agenda
Manav Gohil who was recently added to Sony's Aayushman (Was lesser eyeballs was the reason?) has joined an Australian firm called Filmography. The firm deals with helping Indian producers to scout locations Down Under. Manav will be in charge of coordinating with producers in the commercial capital of this country. Now, that's an interesting parallel career, wot?