They promised nine times more entertainment. 9X (the new Hindi GEC) is now set to grow further with the launch of their afternoon band. A slew of shows have been lined up for the afternoon band, while another daily has been added to the existing prime time.

Two daily fictions shows, Neelanjanaa and Veeranwali , and a daily cookery show Rasm-e-Rasoi round up the afternoon band. Dahhej, an emotional drama, is the addition to the prime time band.

Speaking on this devleopement, INX CEO Indrani Mukerjea says, “Starting the first week of January, 9X will extend prime time with a new daily drama and by week two, we are launching a new afternoon band to reach out to women audiences with two daily dramas and a cookery show.”

The afternoon band commences from 14th January at 1.00 pm. First in line is Edit II productions’ fictional drama Neelanjanaa. This is based on the true story of a simple girl, for whom her beauty becomes a bane rather than a boon. Debutant actor Harsha Khandelkar plays Neelanjanaa who is rescued by a journalist Rohitaashv (Akshay Anand) to escape getting trapped in the flesh trade. Unsure of her safety in the village, Rohitaashv takes Neelanjanaa along with him to the city. She falls in love with the married Rohitaashv but is unable to express her feelings. Mrinal Kulkarni plays Akshay Anand’s wife.

Slated for 1.30 pm is Creative Eye production’s family drama Veeranwali. Set against a typical conservative Punjabi background, Veeranwali is a story on the relationship between a sister and her two elder brothers. The two elder brothers, Khushal Sandhu (Viquar Shaikh) and Dahram Deol (Adesh Chaudhary) are very protective about their little sister Veeranwali and would scorch any evil eye that lays sight on their sister. Trouble brews when Veeranwali falls in love with Parmeet (Sameer Sharma).

Rounding off the afternoon band is a daily cookery, Rasm-e-Rasoi show that will be hosted by Chef Nikhil Rastogi.

The latest addition to the prime time band is B.A.G production’s social drama Dahhej (dowry). As the title suggests, it’s based on dowry but it’s not about traditional dowry. This is a tale of two sisters Krutika (Muskaan Mehani) and Kalyaani (Anisha Kapoor). The two sisters have a liking for the same guy but it’s Krutika who gets to marry Soham (Bhuvesh Mam). According to their kundali (birthchart), the two sisters will only live happily if they live together. Thus Kalyaani is offered as Dahhej at her sister’s wedding.

Dahhej will commence form 7th January at 8.30 pm. Actress Deepshikha marks her comeback to television with his show