Channels keep stardust off year-end dos

This time, top Bollywood stars would not be with you to ring in the new year on television -- programmes planned by most of the channels do not feature any of the leading stars from India's show world.

In fact, Sahara TV is not planning any special programme for the year-end, which is quite a departure from what most television channels across the world plan on the new year eve.

Star Plus is celebrating the new year with stars from its soaps. Star Plus's new year eve special Kasamm Se, put together by Balaji Telefilms, has Tulsi, Parvati, Prerna, Shaina, Pallavi, Ramola, Komolika, Mihir, Om, Anurag, Kunal -- all the stars from the various Ekta Kapoor serials.

Tarun Katial, senior vice president, programming, Star Plus, said: "We are attempting to bring the biggest line-up of content ever on TV this new year eve."

According to Ekta Kapoor, who put up the programme: "This event would be a path-breaking one on Indian television. We hope the audience will really enjoy this extravaganza as part of the New Year celebrations."

Sony Entertainment Television's new year bonanza features the premier of Karan Johar's Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.

Commenting on the new year line-up Sunil Lulla, executive vice-president, SET India, said, "Throughout the year we have given our viewers something new to look forward to, be it in the form of new shows, events or movies. Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham is a great family entertainer and we are happy to showcase the movie as part of the New Year celebrations on Sony Entertainment Television."

Zee TV is welcoming the new year with Zee Gold Bollywood awards, while Zee Cinema will show Gadar, starring Amisha Patel and Sunny Deol, on new year eve. The channel also has plans to preview some the new programme that it has planned in 2003.

Besides, Star Plus's new year programme begins December 28 with the telecast of Dil Chahta Hai starring Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan & Akshaye Khanna.

On December 29 Star Plus airs another Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega, starring Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Fardeen, Twinkle Khanna, Aftab Shivdasani and Johnny Lever Star Gold, the Hindi movie channel from Star begins its celebrations from December 28, with Sylvester Stallone's Cliffhanger in Hindi for the first time on satellite television, followed by Shah Rukh Khan-Aishwarya Rai starrer Josh on Sunday 29.

On new year eve, Star Plus will telecast Titanic, in Hindi, for the first time on Hindi movie channel.

Star Movies, brings James Bond on the new year eve. The channel will show some interesting Bond documentaries like, Now Pay Attention 007 and Top Ten Bond films.

The channel will also premier, Bond movies like The World Is Not Enough and Bond girls forever.

As a run-up to the new year, news channel Aaj Tak has drawn up programming schedule to recapitulate the happenings of 2002.

This will culminate with Flashback Aaj Tak 2002 on 31st December. Besides, Aaj Tak has also planned a special programme called Flashback Aaj Tak 2002 a one-hour programme looking into the important events of the year on December 31.