If rumours are to be believed then the channel Mi Marathi is pulling off all its three fiction shows Anupama, Ha Khel Savalyancha and He Daiva Janile Kuni to make way for reality shows. Sources suggest that it is the lack of funds and low TRPs that has resulted in the decision. A source from a production house says, “The channel has asked the producers to pull off their shows as they are planning to bring in more reality shows. It is because the channel is finding it difficult to generate revenues due to the stiff competition from rival channels. Reality shows will help garner more TRPs and higher rating.”

Another source from a rival channel says, “We have learnt from the producers of Mi Marathi that they have not been paid from last six months.”

When contacted Markand Adhikari, Vice Chairman and MD, Sri Adhikari Brothers, refuted all the rumours and said, “All these rumours have no substance and element of truth in them. The channel now is concentrating more on reality shows. The fiction shows were getting crowded and so we decided to bring in reality shows. We will extend the original time from one and a half hour soaps to two hours of reality shows.”

Talking about the reality show that the channel is coming up with, Markand says, “We will be airing the reality shows seven days a week with one theme for five days. Our other shows based on folk dances and culture is for Sundays. We cannot reveal much about the reality shows as of now.”

He also rubbished all rumours about the lack of funds and low TRPs saying, “It’s not true at all. In fact reality shows require more capital and one has to infuse more money into it though they result in more TRPs.”

Sri Adhikari Brothers also had plans to launch a Bhojpuri channel called Hum Bhojpuriya in August last year. Markand says, “Yes, we are in the planning stage and I am assuring you that we will soon come in the market with our Bhojpuri channel in the coming two months.”