STAR Unveils Bengali Entertainment Channel

MUMBAI/HONG KONG, August 25: Furthering its commitment to
the Indian market, STAR has unveiled a new entertainment channel for the region
of Bengal, STAR Jolsha, set to launch September 8.

The new channel will deliver drama and comedy series,
mythology-based serials, reality fare and movies. Highlights will include a
chat show hosted by award-winning director Rituparna
Ghosh called Ghosh and
Co., the religious-themed Durga, daily soaps like Bandhan, Neer Bhanga Jor and
Ekhaney Akash and the comedy I
Laugh You.

Commenting on the launch, Uday Shankar, the CEO of STAR
India, said, “STAR has always raised the bar and set new benchmarks in Indian
television entertainment. With STAR Jolsha as well, we plan to create a
revolution in the Bengali entertainment, similar to what we have been able to
achieve with our other leading brands. With STAR Jolsha, viewers can look
forward to a standard of Bengali entertainment that’s on par with the finest in
the country, bar none.”

J C Giri, the
regional channel head at STAR India, added: “Bengali regional genre has shown a
substantial growth in the past two years vis-à-vis other regional entertainment
markets. The overall market has also evolved and viewers are looking for a
change. In a year’s time we promise to bring about the required change and
transform the viewing habit of the Bengalis with STAR Jolsha. With this channel
we will bring in a new level of vibrancy and diversity to the world of
entertainment.”

In Bengali, the word jol.sha means a social gathering, a cultural meeting, or a fun get-together.

—By Mansha Daswani