India’s NDTV Imagine Opts for BBC Format

LONDON/MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide Productions India has been commissioned by NDTV Imagine to produce a local version of the reality format Baby Borrowers for launch at the end of next month.

The Indian version of the format, created by Love Production, will be called Pati, Patni Aur Woh (loosely translated as Husband, Wife and the Significant Other) and, instead of the teen couples featured in the original format, this edition will test the parenting skills of five celebrity couples. NDTV Imagine has ordered 21 1-hour episodes.

BBC Worldwide has notched up format deals on the title in Germany, Belgium and Netherlands, while the original BBC Three version has been licensed to Latin America, Spain, Italy and New Zealand. 

Saul Nassé, the general manager and creative head of BBC Worldwide Productions India, noted: “Baby Borrowers is a unique and highly entertaining format with a social experiment at its heart. It is undoubtedly one of the most interesting reality formats on the market and makes for compelling viewing packed with tears and tantrums, as much from the couples as the terrible twos!…I am sure it will translate well to the Indian market with Patu, Patni Aur Woh’s exciting mix of celebrity glamour and real life drama.”

Shailja Kejriwal, the executive VP of content at NDTV Imagine, added: “This is as real as it gets! With Pati, Patni Aur Woh, audiences will see these famous couples in real-life situations and be a part of their first journey into parenthood; sharing their joys, sorrows, trials and achievements. We believe that the show will not only resonate with parents but will also be a great learning experience for the younger generation, who plan to start their own families in the future. Patni, Patni Aur Woh promises to be an emotional rollercoaster and many unique situations, each handled differently by the various couples!”