New LatAm Novela Inspired by Indian Soap

ZEE Content Sales and VIP 2000 TV have inked a co-production agreement for a modern Latin American telenovela.

The upcoming Valentina, My Special Love is inspired by the acclaimed Indian soap opera Aapki Antara, which debuted in 2009. The original title gained popularity for its portrayal of social issues, particularly for championing autism awareness.

Roxana Rotundo, CEO of VIP 2000 TV, said: “We are thrilled to partner with ZEE TV on this unique IP. Audiences will fall in love with our lead character Valentina. Production starts in July this year in beautiful Jalisco, Mexico. Valentina, My Special Love is not just a telenovela; it’s a catalyst for understanding and acceptance. We hope to inspire empathy and compassion among viewers worldwide while they enjoy good entertainment and a powerful love story.”

Ashok Namboodiri, chief business officer for ZEE—International, added: “We are enthused with this collaboration with VIP 2000 TV to expand our content portfolio into Spanish telenovela. Our local adaptations across markets have set the standard for captivating content for a global audience. This is a unique story which will resonate not only with the 600 million plus Spanish speaking audiences but also travel to other parts of the world as a format.”

Manjyot Sandhu, senior VP and head of digital syndication for ZEE, commented: “We firmly believe that great stories transcend boundaries. At ZEE, we take pride in creating great stories over the last three decades, which have resonated with audiences on platforms across the world.”