The UK's only Sikh TV service, The Sikh Channel is launching a new debate show this week, which will see the programme visit eight cities across the UK.

This roadshow debate programme called 'Panth Time' will include a panel from each area; from the worlds of politics, academia and religion, who will respond to questions posed by members of the public.

The show will be filmed in local temples and we will be urging Sikhs who attend temple services, local universities, schools and local businesses to be part of the audience.

The first series will be set in Leicester.

Ofcom has become particularly concerned about free-to-air Asian TV broadcaster, DM Digital after it failed to return 2008's transmission and revenue return (T and R return). This is a record of the revenues earned, costs incurred and hours broadcast under a licence.

Ofcom notifies licensees in early February each year that this return is due for each licence held and requires it to be completed by 31st March the same year.

Its 2008 "T and R return" was due on 31st March 2009. Between January and May 2009 Ofcom wrote to DM Digital seven times requesting that the broadcaster submit its "T and R return". These requests went unanswered.

On 30th November 2009 Ofcom asked DM Digital to provide formal comments in response to a possible breach of Condition, however the broadcaster failed to respond again.

Ofcom notes that this breach is the second by DM Digital in a relatively short amount of time of a significant condition of its licence. On 7th December 2009, Ofcom found DM Digital in contravention of Condition 11 of its licence for failure to provide
programme recordings "forthwith" when requested by Ofcom.

The ASA has referred DM Digital to Ofcom for the consideration of a statutory sanction. The Broadcasting Review Committee will consider this and deicide whether a statutory sanction is appropriate in this case.

Related links:
DM Digital rapped by Ofcom for flashing images
DM Digital & Ahlebait TV in trouble with Ofcom
DM Digital & MATV in breach with Ofcom
DM Digital Television fined £15,000 by Ofcom

Boxing sensation Amir Khan along with ten other budding sports stars are celebrating today, following their success at the biggest ever Asian sports awards in the country.

The winners of the prestigious Change4Life British Asian Sports Awards (BASA) were revealed at a star-studded ceremony at the Grosvenor House hotel in Park Lane last night. Hosted by 'EastEnders' Nitin Gantara and 'Strictly Come Dancing' star Laila Rouass, the awards show once again recognised the contributions and achievements of the best in British Asian Sporting talent.

BASA awards ambassador Amir Khan was honoured with the Champagne Moment of the Year. He said, "Everytime I win an award, I get the same feeling as when I first won one. It feels great to win the Champagne Moment of the year. Last year I became world champion so it was a really good year for me. There were some really strong contenders at the awards and I have respect for all the nominees."

England women’s cricketer, Isa Guha (pictured below) was also celebrating after being awarded with the Change4Life British Asian Sports Personality of the year. She was recognised for becoming an established England International cricketer and playing an integral role as a member of the World Cup Winning team last year.

She said, "Today’s ceremony was amazing! There were so many strong contenders up for this award and so I am truly humbled to have received it. I would like to thank the Change4Life British Asian Sports Awards for giving myself and others a platform to showcase our talent. It’s been a great year for women in sport and I hope that this award can inspire more women to get actively involved in sports."

This year’s awards were partnered for the first time with Change4Life, the groundbreaking movement which supports families to 'eat well, move more and live longer'. The British Asian Sports Awards partnership with Change4Life aims to increase awareness of the importance of eating well and moving more amongst the South Asian community, where some obesity related illnesses, such as type 2 Diabetes, are higher than the national average.

Other winners on the night also included Sri Lankan cricketer, Arjuna Ranatunga, who picked up the Lifetime Achievement Award and Amit Bhatia, the Vice-Chairman of QPR who was crowned winner of the Community Business in Sport award.

The evening featured show-stopping performances from MOBO award-winning rapper, Chipmunk, popular girl band The Saturdays (pictured below), and talented British Asian pop singers, Jaya and Navin Kundra. High profile guests in attendance included Denise Lewis, Olympic Gold Medallist and BASA judge, actors Colin Salmon, Nina Wadia and politicians Keith Vaz MP and Sion Simon MP.

The charity auction on the night raised thousands of pounds for The British Asian Trust. The event will be broadcast globally on Sony Entertainment Television Asia in April this year.

In Pictures:

England women’s cricketer, Isa Guha

The Saturdays, perform at BASA 2010

Related link:
BASA 2010 awards: Final call for votes

After his successful stint on 'Dus Ka Dum' on Sony Entertainment Television Asia, Bollywood superstar, Salman Khan is gearing up to host yet another show for the channel.

The channel is planning to launch the third series of 'Dus Ka Dum' later this year but after talks between the channel and Salman, the actor came up with an idea of a new reality show and according to sources the channel has taken a liking to the concept.

According to TellyChakkar, "It is said the show has more to do with children. The channel is keen to take up the show and it is believed they will start working on it after Indian Idol."

A source informs, "Yes Salman has come up with a reality show idea, but that does not mean that Dus Ka Dum 3 will not happen. It is one of the most wanted shows of the channel and the third season will begin after Indian Idol 4 winds up. This one will be after Dus Ka Dum as it's a whole new concept and needs to be worked upon."

Channel 4 has received over 200 complaints for the 'Indian Winter' season it aired last month.

Majority criticised 'Gordon’s Great Escape' series featuring chef Gordon Ramsay's trip to India, with others unhappy with the season focusing on slums rather than India’s wider culture and heritage.

The three-part series called 'Gordon’s Great Escape', which was aired as a part of Channel 4's popular 'Indian Winter' season, was the second-most complained about show last month, with 162 viewers contacting Channel 4.

Their complaints centered on Ramsay’s language and brusqueness in speaking with the "mild-mannered" and "gentle" people he met, in the words of one complainant.

Another 30 viewers took issue with what one person perceived as McCloud’s "complete lack of understanding, manners, sensitivity and tact" in his series Kevin McCloud: Slumming It.

The channel received a further 20 complaints for the season portraying India with just slums and not on any of its landmarks.

However, 21 viewers contacted to C4 to praise McCloud’s series and another 14 rated Ramsay’s programme.

Related link:
Channel 4 to hold 'Indian Winter' season

Listening to radio via DAB digital radio remained almost unchanged in data supplied by RAJAR for Q4/09.

DAB listening now stands at 13.7 per cent from 13.3 per cent in the previous quarter. However the number of adults living in a household with a DAB receiver has increased by 500,000.

Digital only station Jazz FM is seeing more people tune in via mobile phones, and now has an audience of 446,000, up 30,000. Chief Executive Richard Wheatly says, "We were astonished by the extent of the take up of listening to Jazz FM via mobile, which I’m sure is due to the strength of our Brand. I’m delighted that these new audiences have translated directly into Rajars. We’ve also seen a surge in our ABC1 listening, which we believe is linked to this new mobile audience."

Ford Ennals, Chief Executive, Digital Radio UK, commented, "It’s encouraging to see steady and sustained growth in both digital set listening and ownership, and stability across all platforms. It’s also notable that analogue listening now accounts for only two thirds of all listening, and within homes this figures is lower still at 54 per cent. Given that 75 per cent of all new portable radios purchased are digital, this is no surprise."

The percentage share of all radio listening via a digital platform has increased by just 14 per cent in the past year to 20.9 from 18.3 and remained almost static quarter on quarter.

Related link:
RAJAR Results: Slow start for Buzz Asia

This year's Ideal Home Show is changing with the introduction of two new pavilions dedicated to British Asian food, culture, fashion and lifestyle.

It’s the first time in the exhibition's 102 year history that the show will directly tap into the Asian market. The Ideal Home Show organisers, Media 10 have appointed Puja Saggar of Shreem Events to co-ordinate the two Asian pavilions.

Puja's past experience in the exhibition industry includes role as Director of the successful Asian Lifestyle Show held at Olympia, London from 2004 to 2007.

According to information provided to BizAsia.co.uk, the two new separate pavilions will provide a focused and dedicated platform for businesses looking to showcase products and services relevant to all aspects of British Asian lifestyle to a captive audience of 300,000+ visitors over 17 days.

These two pavilions will be fully integrated within the show but separately identifiable in the show’s mainstream and Asian marketing campaign and at the show via the showguide, floorplans, and the uniquely coloured shell scheme stands.

The Ideal Home Show, the UK’s biggest and longest running consumer event, was acquired by award-winning events and publishing company Media 10, late last year from DMG World Media, the first time the show has changed hands in just over 100 years.

With the ZEE Carnival delayed until later this year and a number of Asian wedding exhibitions specialising in just wedding gear, the Ideal Home Show will be the first Asian lifestyle exhibition to get underway in the UK.

The Ideal Home Show is being held at Earls Court, London between Saturday 20th March and Monday 5th April.

The Litt Corporation's recently acquired station, Club Asia, rebranded to Buzz Asia got off to a slow start, according to RAJAR listening figures for Q4/09.

The youth targeted station's weekly reach dipped slightly from its Club Asia days from 188,000 (in Quarter 3) to 167,000 as it stood in the period between October and December 2009.

Buzz Asia officially went live in mid-October and a slow start was expected especially as many listeners had turned off prior to the takeover by the Litt Corporation. With uncertainty surrounding Club Asia's future, listeners were unaware of the on-air changes as the station had switched to playlisted back-to-back music.

Buzz Asia's fate will depend on listening figures released in the coming quarters as basing the station's success/downfall on one quarter's results can be misleading.

It remains to be seen how much of a success the Litt Corporation can make from the once troubled project. Industry speculation suggests that the radio group paid just over half a million pounds for a four year analogue licence of Club Asia (Buzz Asia).

Overview of Club Asia/Buzz Asia
This time last year: 172,000
As it stands now: 167,000
Difference: - 5,000

National

There was good news for Litt Corporation's national feed of Sunrise Radio. The station managed to up its audience by 14,000 listeners.

Sunrise Radio was sitting with a weekly reach of 469,000 in Q3/09 and has now been boosted to 483,000. Its listening hours went down slightly from 8 listening hours per person to 6.6 hours.

The BBC Asian Network could only muster up an extra 3,000 listeners in the same period. After delivering disastrous results in Q3/09 with a weekly reach of 357,000, the station managed a reach in the last quarter of 360,000. In the last listener figures the BBC Asian Network lost over 60,000 listeners, a 15% drop from the previous quarter.

Its listening hours too went down from 5.5 listening hours to 5.2 hours, which means listeners were tuning into the station for a shorter period than previously.

The BBC Asian Network has had its fair share of negative press recently. Yesterday BizAsia.co.uk revealed that the station's future was being reviewed after disappointing listening figures. The review is currently underway and BBC's Director General Mark Thompson will deliver his verdict at the end of this month.

Over the years, expenditure on the station has increased while listening figures have been unable to match the outgoings. In a result of this, many cuts are likely in jobs and content/programming.

The station is hoping to revive its fortunes with its ongoing programme changes. Next week will see the launch of the BBC Asian Network's new daytime schedule with Sonia Deol replacing Nikki Bedi on the 'Mid-Morning Show' and Tommy Sandhu replacing Jas Rao on 'Drivetime'.

A BBC spokesman said the figures today were a step in the right direction ahead of the coming schedule changes, "It has been a  volatile year  for the Asian Network, but the figures are  now stable and  we hope to build on that with Sonia Deol coming in to present a morning show and Tommy Sandhu on drivetime. We have a  clear strategy that we are confident our team of presenters and staff can deliver."

Overview of Sunrise Radio National
This time last year: 469,000
As it stands now: 483,000
Difference: + 14,000

Overview of BBC Asian Network National
This time last year: 379,000
As it stands now: 360,000
Difference: - 19,000

Local

There was further good news for the Litt Corporation as its regional version of Sunrise Radio lead the way in the Greater London market.

Sunrise Radio added 9,000 new listeners in the sampled quarter, ending December 2009. This was up from the weekly reach of 355,000 in Q3/09 to 364,000 that were listening now. However its listening hours dipped from 8.3 hours to 7 hours at present.

Its sister station, Kismat Radio, which passed the 100k mark in Q3/09 (114,000) had its audience fall quite a lot to 85,000 - a loss of 29,000 listeners. However, its listening hours beat other stations from 6.8 hours in the previous quarter to 10 hours now.

Panajb Radio, which went national on DAB digital radio in December, had a slight drop in its audience figures. It lost 12,000 listeners in the last quarter from 56,000 in Q3/09 to 44,000 in Q4/09. Its listening hours also fell by a margin from 7.3 hours to 5.3 hours. Since Panjab Radio joined RAJAR in Q4/08, the station has lost 5,000 listeners.

Overview of Sunrise Radio London
This time last year: 309,000
As it stands now: 364,000
Difference: + 55,000

Overview of Kismat Radio
This time last year: 67,000
As it stands now: 85,000
Difference: + 18,000

Overview of Panjab Radio
This time last year: 49,000
As it stands now: 44,000
Difference: - 5,000

Other UK based Asian radio stations such as Radio XL in Birmingham, Sabras Radio in Leicester and Asian Sound in Manchester do not subscribe to RAJAR.

Related links:
BBC Asian Network future under review
Litt Corporation's Buzz Asia goes on-air
RAJAR Results: Huge fall for BBC Asian Net.

The press conference for Karan Johar's upcoming blockbuster, 'My Name Is Khan' was held in Central London on Wednesday 3rd February. We bring you some highlights from the afternoon. Exclusive pictures below.

The film stars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol and releases worldwide on Friday 12th February.

'My Name Is Khan' is being distributed by FOX STAR Studios.

After Salman Khan and Amitabh Bachchan made their presence felt on ZEE TV's top reality show 'Dance India Dance', this week a spirited Viveik Oberoi is set to take-off of full throttle.

From reminiscing about his struggling days with Geeta Kapur to his choicest memories with each of the mentors. His entrance itself defines his love for the show and will leave little doubt in anyone’s mind that 'Dance India Dance' is unquestionably one of his favourite shows. Expect to see him totally enthralled by Shakti and Kunwar’s contemporary urban hip-hop act on "Bheegi Bheegi Si Hai Raatein Bheegi Bheegi" and Binny and Kishore's 'Saathiya act'.

To Mithun he said, "Dada, you are an idol for people like us who aspire to become somebody from nobody. I must have seen your 'Julie Julie' song some 2000 times! I’m totally crazy about this song."

Not to disappoint, an enthusiastic Mithun put adds his own touch on stage as he dances to 'Julie Julie...' with all the contestants!

The special episode is aired this Saturday (6th February) on ZEE TV UK.

BBC Two has scheduled a three-part series in which presenter Peter Taylor investigates the terrorist threat from young Muslim extremists radicalised on the Internet.

Investigating the origins of 'Generation Jihad', Taylor looks at the radicalisation process and unravels the history, from Rushdie to Afghanistan, that has set 'Generation Jihad' on its path.

In a programme synopsis provided to BizAsia.co.uk, it says, "Yorkshire – home to many thriving Muslim communities – is also home to three of the bombers who attacked London on the 7th July 2005. In Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, he investigates the case of Hammaad Munshi – how did a bright, well-educated 15-year-old end up becoming Britain's youngest convicted terrorist?"

The programme features in-depth interviews with two members of this generation – Bilal Mohammed and Rizwan Ditta, also from West Yorkshire, who have been convicted under Britain's anti-terror laws.

Taylor also delves into the history of British Islam and discovers a group that has shed the moderate faith which their parents brought to this country and adopted a brand of Islam imported from the Middle East and which they believe compels them to stand apart from Britain and its values.

Taylor also examines the background of Jamal Lindsay, who blew up an underground train in London on 7th July 2005, speaking to people who knew him well. A similar picture emerges of a young man cut off from society and positive male role models.

'Generation Jihad' starts on Monday 8th February at 21:00 and continues following two Mondays on BBC Two.

Five radio DJs and their shows have been shortlisted for the upcoming UK Asian Music Awards 2010 (UK AMAs).

This year, two BBC Asian Network presenters - Bobby Friction and Noreen will fight it out with Kiss 100's Neev, Radio One's Nihal and Buzz Asia's Mr Kay. The latter presented his final show on Buzz Asia last month and will now concentrate on his live events and his TV show on STAR One.

Last year, Bobby Friction walked away with the gong for 'Best Radio Show' for his weeknight specials on the BBC Asian Network.

Jay Sean is the other big nominee, with four nods at this year's awards. The singer, originally from Hounslow, scored a number one in the American Billboard chart with his single 'Down' last year. He is up for Best Album, Best Male Act, Best Urban Act and Best Video.

The awards take place at London's Royal Festival Hall for the third year running on Thursday 11th March. Voting is underway on the UK AMA website.

This year's awards are once again partnered up with B4U Music and the BBC Asian Network.

The BBC Asian Network's future will come under scrutiny after the corporation admitted that the station is being reviewed.

A BBC spokesperson told BizAsia.co.uk, "All the services are being reviewed at the moment and as Mark Thompson has said we will announce the review at the end of February."

The corporation is assessing all its digital TV and radio operations as part of a wide-ranging strategic review of all activities and output by director general Mark Thompson. It is expected to lead to cuts in content and some kinds of programmes.

In the last listener figures the BBC Asian Network lost over 60,000 listeners, a 15% drop from the previous quarter.

According to MediaGuardian, Caroline Thomson, the BBC's chief operating officer told the House of Lords communications committee inquiry into digital TV and radio switchover that "one of the difficulties of the Asian service is its concept. It broadcasts in a number of different languages to an audience that varies from younger to older [listeners].

She continued: "It is trying to cater for many disparate groups simultaneously. We are wrestling with how to best serve this audience and whether one whole network is the right way to do it. It is something we are looking at."

Last year, London's Evening Standard reported that the station was facing closure after losing a fifth of its listeners despite spending more than £25million in two years. The BBC went on to deny this.

The next official audience figures, for the last three months of 2009, will be published tomorrow and you can see how BBC Asian Network did on BizAsia.co.uk.

Related links:
BBC Asian Network comes under fire again
RAJAR Results: Huge fall for BBC Asian Net.
BBC denies Asian Network radio closure

Sony Entertainment Television Asia is telecasting a 30-minute highlight package of the Asiana Bridal Show, which took place in Central London last month.

The programme will air free-to-air on Valentines Day - Sunday 14th February - at 16:30.

The channel said it was also giving viewers the chance to order a DVD copy of the special show to retain after broadcast. To order a copy, interested viewers will need to contact suchita_patel@spe.sony.com, with Asiana Bridal Show in the subject line, along with full contact details.

Sony Entertainment Television Asia, along with its umbrella group VIEWASIA and popular UK Asian radio station, Sunrise Radio were media partners of the event.

ZEE TV has pushed out STAR Plus to third once again and is giving Colors stiff competition in the latest round of Indian viewing figures released by TAM for week 5 of 2010.

ZEE TV mustered up 309 GRPs, just 12 points behind Colors, which managed to stay on top with 321 GRPs.

STAR Plus was left reeling far behind in third with 247 GRPs.

Sony Entertainment Television Asia delivered 170 GRPs, NDTV Imagine 90 GRPs and SAB TV 84 GRPs.

Multi Screen Media's movie and events channel, MAX is celebrating legendry filmmaker Yash Chopra's 50th year in the film industry by running a two-week festival of Yash Raj movies.

The Yash Raj Film Festival will commence on Monday 8th February with movies being telecast at 20:00 each weeknight (Monday to Friday) and Sunday at 16:00.

The line-up consists of 'Aaina', 'Mashaal', 'Chandni', 'Darr', 'Kala Pathar', 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi', 'Lamhe', 'Dil To Pagal Hai', 'Silsila', 'Veer Zaara', 'Mujhse Dosti Karoge' and 'Kabhi Kabhie'.

Sister station, Sony Entertainment Television Asia also has an exclusive tie-up with the production house to telecast programmes produced by the newly launched Yash Raj TV company. However, they are still yet to pick up in ratings.

Voting lines for the annual British Asian Sports Awards (BASA) will close this Thursday.

Amongst the shortlisted hopefuls this year are Formula One racer Adam Khan, Yorkshire and England cricketer Adil Rashid, Queens Park Rangers Vice-Chairman Amit Bhatia and England women’s cricketer Isa Guha. The Awards, which are made up of ten categories and judged by a panel of experts are, for the first time, taking place in partnership with the ground-breaking Change4Life movement which supports families to 'eat well, move more and live longer'.

The full set of nominees this year include:

HSBC Young Sports Personality of the Year • Aadam Syed, Golf, Middlesex
• Hassan Chaudry, Cricket, Nottingham
• Viroshan Gnanapandithan, Taekwondo, Essex

Unison Junior Sports Personality of the Year (under 18, female)
• Ambreen Sadiq, Boxing, West Yorkshire
• Riana Devi Soobadoo, Womens Senior Football, Essex
• Farzana Ali, Taekwondo, Hertfordshire

Shana Foods Junior Sports Personality of the Year (under 18, male)
• Hassan Ahmed, Kickboxing, Staffordshire
• Jesse Mander, Rugby, London
• Junaid Nadir, Cricket, London

Cobra Beer Most Up and Coming Sports Personality of the Year
• Adam Khan, Formula One, London
• Adil Rashid, Cricket, Bradford
• Raj Hundal, Middlesex, Professional Pool

Anand Hyundai International Outstanding Achievement Award
• Ayaz Sheikh, Swimming, Leicester
• Mohammed Razaq, Cricket, Bristol
• Salma Bi, Cricket, Birmingham
• Emerald Knight Community Business in Sport
• Amit Bhatia, Football, Queen Park Rangers
• Wasim Khan, Cricket, London
• Jasbir Athwal, Golf, Bradford

Madhu’s Coach of the Year
• Neil Kapoor, Tennis, Surrey
• Sivakumar Renganathan, Taekwondo, Essex
• Tafazzul Islam, Football, London

Change4Life Sports Personality of the Year
• Isa Guha, Cricket, London
• Rajiv Ouseph, Badminton, Middlesex
• Tajiv Masson, Rugby, Surrey

Genesis Networks International Sports Personality of the Year
• Saina Nehwal
• Vijender Singh
• Pankaj Advani

The panel of expert judges, includes British Asian Sports Award ambassador and former England cricketer Mark Ramprakash, Evening Standard sports contributor Mihir Bose, the skipper of the first all female crew to sail around the world in the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Tracy Edwards (MBE), Olympic Gold medallist, Denise Lewis (OBE), Lorraine Deschamps of Sporting Equals and Executive Vice-President – International Business for Sony Entertainment Network, Rajan Singh.

Executive Vice-President – International Business for Sony Entertainment Network, Rajan Singh, said: "The standard of nominees this year has been exceptionally high and choosing our shortlisted finalists was a hard task. Having set up this awards programme, it’s heartening to see the growing number of British Asians representing sport in a variety of ways. The more young people we can encourage to get involved in any type of physical activity the better because it means they are living a healthier lifestyle, and with the support of Change4life hopefully this number will continue to grow."

The event takes place on Saturday 6th February at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

For details of the shortlisted nominees and for voting numbers, visit BASA's website here.

Related links:
BASA awards branded a resounding success
Countdown begins for this week's BASA awards

STAR Plus is gearing up to launch its mega new show 'Behnein' this month.

The family drama, produced by Hats Off Productions launches in India on Monday 8th February and in the UK later this month (date TBC).

With 'Behnein', the channel is readying to unleash its new look primetime line-up of shows to compete with rivals Colors and ZEE TV.

'Behnein' is a tale of four sisters, the role of which are being played by Ada ,Ojashree Oberoi, Siju Kataria and Alisha. Sudeep Sahir, Mukul Chablani, Ajay Chaudhary, Dolly Minas, Shruti Ulfat, Darshan Jariwala also play pivotal roles in the show.

STAR Plus is axing 'Tujh Sang Preet Lagai Sajana' and moving 'Tere Mere Sapne' to the afternoon slot from next week.

STAR Plus' and Rajan Shahi's 'Sapna Babul ka Bidaai', was going through a season of blues recently. However, now viewers can look forward to sunshine.

According to sources at India-Forums, "Ranveer (Kinshuk Mahajan) has now returned from jail. However, he finds that Ragini (Parul Chauhan) has changed a lot. She is now under severe depression because of two reasons. One, that her hubby had to go to jail and two, as she suffered a miscarriage."

The source adds, "As Ranveer is trying to find ways to bring the smile on Ragini's face back, Sadhana(Sara Khan) helps out by telling Ranveer that Ragini will smile if she returns to her first love of dancing. So Ranveer gifts her membership in the dance class. Tonight's episode will see her dance on the number Rang Deni from the movie Dev. Besides this, Alekh (Angad Hasija) and Sadhana's love story will also gradually develop".

Kinshuk Mahajan aka Ranveer says, "Yes, I will take Ragini to the dance class where our love actually blosommed. I'm trying hard to cheer her up and thanks to Sadhana I've got a very good way to do that."

Adds Kinshuk,"Now all the rona-dhona will come to an end and the family will be shown happy. You can look forward to a lot of song sequences in Bidaai now."

Sport Relief is calling on people from the Asian community to join the likes of Amir Khan, James Cordon and Fearne Cotton who are doing their bit and 'Rising to the Challenge' for Sport Relief.

The Sport Relief Weekend takes place from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st March and brings the entire nation together to get active, raise cash and change lives. From the Friday of fundraising fun, and a night of top telly on BBC One, right through to the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile on Sunday, it promises to be a memorable weekend.

Over £80million has been raised and donated to projects supported by Sport Relief cash since 2002. Money raised by Sport Relief has helped thousands of Asian people at home and across the world’s poorest countries. Over £6million has been donated to Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi projects since 2008.

Closer to home, Sport Relief is supporting Asian community projects such as The Ashram Project in Birmingham, which enables older people to access the support they need to improve their physical wellbeing and helps them feel more included in their community, by running sessions on healthy eating, personal safety and keeping-fit.

World Champion Boxer, Amir Khan, is running this year’s Mile in Manchester. Amir says, "Sport Relief is back with a bang! Friday 19th March to Sunday 21st March 2010 will see three jam packed days of fundraising, a night of cracking TV on BBC One and, of course, the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile on Sunday. All together, it promises to be a brilliant weekend. And, the best bit is, all the cash raised will help to transform the lives of those in desperate need across the UK and the world’s poorest countries. So whether it’s the 1, 3 or 6 mile option, why not challenge your family, friends and workmates to get involved with Sport Relief 2010 and sign up today at www.sportrelief.com."

India's leading Hindi entertainment channel, Colors, which up until now has been broadcasting re-run shows in its weekday afternoon schedule, will soon launch three new shows.

The afternoon band will be known as 'Sanjhi Dophar', which will include three female-led dramas - 'Aise Karo Na Vida', 'Ganga' and a third unnamed show. Promos of the initial two shows started this past weekend on Colors UK.

These shows are expected to take the 13:00 - 14:30 slot from Monday 15th February. They were expected to launch today in India (1st February) but were delayed due to reasons unknown. However, they are likely to launch in the UK simultaneously with India.

'Aise Karo Na Vida' is a production of popular duo Deeya and Tony Singh who had success previously with 'Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi'. The main leads are Aastha and Anas. Anas was on a break after 'Prithviraj Chauhan' wrapped up.

A source from the production told TellyChakkar that a third new show in the afternoon slot is in the offing, "However the channel is waiting for the third show to be produced by Srishti Arya’s Rose Productions. The shooting has not begun and even the cast is yet to be finalised. This show is also said to be based on a social issue but will not have a rural backdrop. It is a real story. Things are still under planning. The name of the show is also undecided."

Srishti says, "Yes I am doing a show for the noon slot, but it is too early to talk about all this. May be by next week things would get clear."

'Agnipareeksha Jeevan Ki...Ganga' will air at 13:30 and 'Aise Karo Na Vida' will air at 14:00 from Monday 15th February.

Extracts from TellyChakkar

Updated: 05/02/10

Indian composer AR Rahman has won two Grammy Awards at the prestigious US music ceremony in Los Angeles.

He received awards for 'Best Film Song' - "Jai Ho" and 'Best Soundtrack', both compositions for the Oscar-winning film 'Slumdog Millionaire'.

"This is insane, god is great again," Rahman said as he accepted as he accepted his award.

Rahman won two Oscars, a Bafta and a Golden Globe last year for his soundtrack to the multi award-winning Slumdog Millionaire.

Last month, Rahman was shortlisted for an Oscar nomination for his Tamil song "NaNa" from the Hollywood film, 'Couples Retreat'.

Related link:
Slumdog Millionaire triumphs at Oscars