Zee TV launched its new fiction venture yesterday. Produced by Zee’s very own in-house production arm Esselvision, Khelti Hai Zindagi Aankh Micholi tells the story of Ami, an average adolescent girl who is waiting to be understood. She’s not the brightest student, not a champion at sports, no special talents to boast of. Far from perfect, she is unpredictable, inconsistent and her biggest grouse is that nobody really understands her. However, Ami’s very charm lies in her many imperfections. It was only her father who had once been able to decode this maze called ‘Ámi’ and truly understand her. He was the only one who accepted her with all her moles and warts …! Naturally, all hell broke loose for Ami when she lost him to AIDS 2 years ago! Starting 9 September at 10pm every Monday to Friday on Zee TV, Khelti Hai Zindagi Aankh Micholi’ explores the life of this impressionable young girl who has lost her superhero and must find her own path without his love, support and guidance. Will destiny introduce Ami to someone else who can appreciate her for who she is and mentor the restless, volatile youngster into finding her calling and coming into her own? Only time will tell… Ajay Bhalwankar, Head-Content, Hindi GECs, ZEE said, “Adolescence is an extremely critical stage in our lives when most of us go through a process of soul-searching and finding one’s own identity and individuality. We often stumble and get lost along the way and turn to that one elder who we think truly understands us. For many girls, their father is their superhero who can show them the way when they lose their sense of direction. Khelti Hai Zindagi Aankh Micholi tells a very touching story of a girl struggling to find her path in life once her father, the only man who truly understood her, passes away. The show will find its viewers smiling and misty-eyed through so many of its moments because these are emotions we all can relate with.” Having played the brave and righteous Jhansi Ki Rani on Zee TV, child actor Ulka Gupta makes a comeback as Ami. Popularly known as the firebrand Manu (the young Rani Lakshmibai) who spiritedly wielded a sword and charged away on a horse, Ulka’s new role of the average-adolescent-next-door is in sharp contrast with her previous avatar. Ulka said, “When I first heard the script, I was taken aback at the similarities I found between my on-screen character and myself in real life. I’m sure there are thousands of girls out there in India who will be able to completely relate with Ami ... after all, no one is perfect ... we all have shortcomings and flaws, insecurities and complexes ... and we need that someone special to reassure us and motivate us. While Manu was a symbol of girl power and an inspiration for girls, Ami will be a reflection of every girl’s reality. I can’t explain how excited I am to play this role and I would like to thank Zee TV for this second wonderful opportunity.” The beautiful Gautami Kapoor, who has been away from the arc lights for a while now after getting married to popular actor Ram Kapoor, returns to the tube as Ami’s mother Shruti in the show. Gautami said, “My character is that of Shruti, Ami’s mother. She is your average housewife who has led a sheltered life for several years at home, leaving all crucial decisions to her husband, until one day that he suddenly passes away. Everything changes for her overnight ... she must double up as a mother and father to her kids and step up as the sole provider of the household. Needless to say, this isn’t easy for Shruti and she often finds herself buckling under the pressure. I liked the way Shruti’s relationship with Ami has been layered and the treatment the show has been given. I hope the audience is happy to have me back on screen and will appreciate my role.” The ensemble cast of the show includes prominent faces such as Farida Dadi, Vinay Jain, Suhita Thatte and Manisha Purohit playing interesting parts that present never-before-seen attributes of their personalities. On the launch day of the show, Zee TV has plans of leveraging the network of dabbawalas across Mumbai and Delhi to send across a note to fathers of daughters across various municipal offices, shops, corporate houses – asking them to leave a message for their daughters who they often end up missing out on quality time with. These messages will be aired on Zee TV in the course of the show’s telecast as a gesture of love from these fathers to their daughters.