Epic tale 

When it comes to TV serials and creating hype about it,

there's none to beat Cinevista Communications' Noorjahan.

It's been in the pipeline for a long long time now - the

serial was announced four years ago. Then another party

happened a year ago to announce that it was on the floors.

Recently, the do at Casbah, at Kala Ghoda, was to make a

song and dance about it being finally ready. Next, they'll

probably throw another party to announce that it's finally

coming on air. But we've got to admit this, quite a lot of

work has gone into mounting this epic and it's showing all

over it. Based on Jyoti Jafa's book of the same title, the

serial is shot is Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Nishat Bagh, Dal Lake,

Gulamrg and Agra, besides a 20,000 sq feet specially

constructed set in Film City. The serial's music is composed

by Talat Aziz and will be compiled into an album.

Negotiations are presently on for a slot on BBC. As for the

party, the turnout was big, including Milind Soman,

Parikshit Sahani, Prem Chopra..., singer Shomshukla in a new

look with hair gelled back and Gauri Pradhanwho makes her