British-Indian actress Hazel Keech Saturday became the first celebrity to get evicted from the house of reality television show "Bigg Boss-Saath 7" after spending just six days there. She says she will treasure the experience for the rest of her life.

"'Bigg Boss' has been a great experience and I will treasure it for rest of my life," Hazel said in a statement.

The 26-year-old was placed in the hell section of the house, and she had befriended everyone there.

Hazel maintained a low profile on the show, but she participated actively in the 'wheel task' on the show. Despite her language barrier, the actress was seen taking much effort in learning to talk in Hindi.

"It was quite easy for me to adapt to the place in spite of the limitations and it fortunately worked well for me. I met new people, made friends and also learnt that it is very important to have a positive energy when you are in the house," she added.

The actress is known for sharing screen space with actor and host of the show Salman Khan in the movie "Bodyguard". Before she had entered "Bigg Boss", she had said in an interview that she will try to adjust with everyone in the house.

"I am not the kind of person who can have an agenda or try to be anyone else, who I am not. I will try and adjust and do the best which I can," she had said.

Now the "Bigg Boss-Saath 7" house is left with 14 contestants, who will struggle to survive inside the house surrounded by as many as 72 cameras.

Doordarshan is set to discard its dowdy and boring image as a public service broadcaster, make its regional channels more attractive and entertaining, expand its reach to remote areas of the country and employ more local talent, all aided by a new study on viewership patterns.

The study, being conducted in a few cities by private group TAM Media Research, will be used by Doordarshan and even private channels to take a re-look at their plans, said Information and Broadcasting Secretary Bimal Julka.

"TAM is increasing the size of its Peoplemeter. The data will be useful for us to know which channels are being viewed. This will help Doordarshan and other channels to re-study their plans," Julka told IANS in an interview.

A Peoplemeter is an audience measurement tool that calculates the viewing habits of TV and cable audience. He said the Peoplemeter study is an "independent exercise" with no involvement of the government.

Elaborating about the Peoplemeter, the top ministry official said TAM installs "meters" in people's homes to gauge what channels are being viewed, at what time and by whom. The study would give the government real-time data on channels preferred by people. Based on the study, the television rating points (TRPs) would be generated, he said.

"The meter will monitor which channel you are watching, how many times you surf that channel. They will measure each and every member of the household. It is an objective and scientific method," he added.

The TV remote would have buttons specifically configured for each member of a household. Each time a member of the family picks up the TV remote, he or she will have to click on the specific button; otherwise the TV set will not switch on.

The installation of Peoplemeter began about two months ago in some households in Chennai, Hyderabad and Madhya Pradesh, he said.

Julka said the government did not want to "come into the picture, lest anyone accuse us that we are biased". TAM is a joint venture between AC Nielson Research Services and Kantar Market Research.

Prasar Bharti, the public service broadcasting authority that runs Doordarshan and All India Radio, is studying the content of each programme to improve its quality, to make Doordarshan programmes more attractive, especially in border states.

"We (information and broadcasting ministry) keep telling them to make programmes more attractive. It is a continuous exercise," Julka said.

The ministry is trying to make the Urdu and Kashir (Kashmir) channels more entertaining. It is also focussing on programmes in Arunachal Pradesh, a crucial border state in the northeast that has China as its neighbour, he added.

Julka said he recently held a meeting with Arunachal Pradesh officials to improve the content of programmes.

"Doordarshan is beamed there only for three and a half hours due to paucity of staff. There are 31 dialects spoken in that area. We feel each dialect has to be reflected in our programmes," he said.

"So there is a lot of challenges for Doordarshan - to augment equipment, staff and infrastructure; only then will viewership improve."

The government also plans to install more high-power transmitters in the border areas. "We have told Doordarshan and All India Radio to install more high-power transmitters so that the reach increases," said Julka.

The ministry has asked for local youth to be employed. "They can be hired on contractual basis. This will help provide employment and also generate content that people like."

Of around 750 TV channels in India, Doordarshan has 21, apart from Lok Sabha TV and Rajya Sabha TV and two channels run by the University Grants Commission.

Singer Shadab Sabri will be seen in a cameo in TV show "Nadaaniyaan - Teen Nadaanon ki Kahaani".

Sabri will be seen as a friend to a character named Pappu in the show.

His entry will be seen in the show when the protagonist, Chandni (Gunn Kansara) fumes after missing a much-awaited rock concert.

The track will go on like this - Nandu (Iqbal Azab) and Pappu (Gaurav Sharma) are at their wits' end to pacify Chandni. There on, Pappu gets an idea and calls his friend, singer Shadab Sabri for help. When Shadab obliges, both Nandu and Pappu are overjoyed.

The singer will be seen crooning some of his numbers for Chandni on the show Thursday on Big Magic.

Dharamsala-based model Vijay Singh couldn't believe his luck when he won Mallika Sherawat's hand on the quirky dating reality TV show "The Bachelorette - Mere Khayalon Ki Mallika". He is confident they are made for each other and feels their small town connect will help them in their journey.

He beat the other finalist Karan Sagoo, an NRI restaurant owner from London, on the Life OK show's finale Friday night.

Sounding completely zapped, Vijay said after the triumph: "I can't believe I've been chosen by Mallika! Back home in Himachal Pradesh, I used to watch every film of hers. I especially liked her in 'Murder'. She's my favourite."

“The Bachelorette India - Mere Khayalon Ki Mallika”, based on the internationally popular format of "The Bachelor", focused on finding a match for Mallika from among 30 contestants, who came from different parts of the country and abroad.

At the show's beginning itself, the actress had clarified that she was only looking for a companion via the show and that she was not promising to settle down with the man she chooses finally.

But for Vijay, 24, winning the show and the actress' heart was "like a dream".

"The other finalist Karan Sagoo also stood a very good chance of winning. But when Mallika gave me the rose, I was in a state of complete disbelief," he said.

Of course the marriage has not taken place as yet and therein lies the catch.

To that, he said: "We've got to know each other as much as we could on the show. Now it's time to take the relationship beyond the show. And for that we need time. We need to get to know one another. I'm pretty confident Mallika and I are made for one another."

And how did Vijay arrive at this conclusion?

Shyly and in chaste Hindi, the small town boy said: "Mallika and I are similar in many ways. She is frank, caring and very transparent about her likes and dislikes. So am I. We both come from small towns. She is from Rohtak in Haryana. I am from Himachal. We both arrived in Mumbai with our dreams. Like her, I too hope to make something of my life."

Recalling his early days in Mumbai, Vijay said: "I came to Mumbai on Aug 18, 2012. I participated in the Gladrags (model hunt) contest 2013. I can't believe I am standing here looking at the prospect of becoming one of India's most desirable woman's life partner."

Vijay got into the "The Bachelorette India..." through online audition.

"When I was chosen, I was in a state of disbelief. When I became one of the two finalists, I was even more surprised. Now having won Mallika's hand, I feel I am in a dream," he said.

But what if now, after the on-camera courtship is over, the couple discover they are not made for each other after all?

Vijay pondered and said: "Haan, aisa bhi ho sakta hai (It can happen). But I hope not."

Model Vijay Singh, 24, won Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat's heart on reel, but in real life he is too immature to choose a soulmate, said his elder sister.

"He is still too young to think about his marriage," Vijay's eldest sister Usha told IANS Saturday.

Vijay was chosen by Mallika as the winner of Life OK's dating reality show "The Bachelorette India - Mere Khayalon Ki Mallika" Friday from among 29 other contestants. She had set out to choose her soulmate through the show, but for Vijay's family it's too early for him to make such decisions.

"Choosing a soulmate at this point is too immature. That was on screen only, not in real life. He still has miles to go," Usha, who is settled in this Himachal Pradesh town, said on being asked about his marriage plans.

Vijay, the youngest among seven siblings, said in the final episode of the show: "From now on I will always be there for you. I will do whatever I can to keep you happy."

For now, he has no plans to visit his hometown.

"He has hectic shooting schedules. His parents are with him in Mumbai. They will return here by next week," the model's sister said.

Before working for this reality show, Vijay, who did his graduation from a local college, was an anchor with a channel.

"Since his school days, he has an interest in modelling and fashion designing. He is also self-conscious about his body. He prefers to spend most of his time in a gym," she added.

Vijay, whose father retired from Himachal Pradesh's directorate of health, passed his class 12 in non-medical.

After winning hearts in reel life, model Vijay Singh, winner of "The Bachelorette India - Mere Khayalon Ki Mallika", and Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat may come here on a vacation together.

"We are planning to spend some time together off camera to understand each other," Singh, who is from Dharamsala, told IANS.

They might take a holiday in this picturesque Himalayan hill station, which has lured hundreds of thousands of from the West and Hollywood stars like Richard Gere since Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama settled here in 1960.

"I am planning to return to my hometown (Dharamsala) for a few days Nov 14," Singh said over phone from Pune.

Mallika's search of a soulmate came to an end Friday in the dating reality TV show "The Bachelorette India - Mere Khayalon Ki Mallika", aired on Life OK, after the actresses chose Singh as the king of her heart.

Singh, 24, the youngest among seven siblings, said in the finale episode of the show: "From now on I will always be there for you. I will do whatever I can to keep you happy."

Singh, who became Mallika's dream man after defeating 29 contestants, said Mallika is heading to Los Angeles for a shooting schedule soon.

"After her return to India, we are likely to go for a holiday. It can be of 10 days or more. Even during the shooting of the show, we got enough time to understand each other," he said, adding "she can even come to Dharamsala for a holiday break".

But Singh's eldest sister Usha, who is settled here, said he is still too young to think about taking this newfound relationship with Mallika to another level.

"Choosing a soulmate at this point in time is too immature. That was in screen only, not in real life. He still has miles to go," she said on being asked about his marriage plans.

Before working for this reality show, Singh, who passed graduation from a local college, was a TV anchor.

"Since his school days, he has an interest in modelling and fashion designing. He prefers to spend most of his time in a gym," she added.

Singh, whose father retired from Himachal Pradesh's directorate of health, pipped Karan Sagoo, an NRI restaurant owner from London, in the final round of the TV show.

Model-turned-businesswoman Candy Brar, who entered the "Bigg Boss-Saath 7" house recently, was evicted Saturday.

She entered the show along with model Ajaz Khan and was initially placed in the new 'Caravan' section of the house from where she could keep an eye on the contestants in the main house.

In her brief stay in the house, she was seen to be close to actress Tanisha Mukherjee and actor Armaan Kohli.

Yoga guru Viveik Mishra, one of the show's former contestants, had once referred to Candy as TV actor Kushal Tandon's ex girlfriend. But soon after the former model entered the house, Kushal, who was a part of the show as well, was dismissed from the house due to his behaviour with Tanisha and contestant VJ Andy.

Now Sangram Singh, Elli Avram, Kamya Punjabi, Pratyusha Banerjee, Gauhar Khan, Ajaz Khan and Sophia Hayat, remain in the show, which is aired on Colors.

Former model Candy Brar, latest to be evicted from "Bigg Boss - Saath 7", says she was a "nervous wreck" inside the house because of the atmosphere. She feels most of the contestants are actors and they manipulate their moods to be in the limelight.

"It was the atmosphere in there. Everybody was eager to make his or her presence felt. Most of them are actors, so they can orchestrate mood changes to suit their needs," said Candy, who was evicted Saturday.

"Someone like Aijaz Khan knows exactly how to manipulate his moods to provoke others. I couldn't do that. I am not someone from the limelight. I didn't know how to attract attention to myself. I didn't want to," she added.

This was not her first reality show -- she was the runner up of MTV's adventure reality show "Roadies 2".

But she feels that she is not cut out for something like "Bigg Boss".

"That place was not for me. I was there for barely two weeks, and it was suffocating. I just couldn't take it," said Brar, who currently looks after the business and marketing of Showman Entertainment.

"Not that anyone had a fight with me or was rude to me, or anything. Nothing like that. But there was so much negativity in there. If I had stayed one more week, I'd have fallen ill," she added.

Candy has no complaints against the contestants.

"They were all very nice to me. And I've come away with at least four very good friends - Armaan Kohli, Tanisha Mukherjee, Eli Avram and VJ Andy. And yes, from among the new entrants Sofia Hayat. Even the others were okay with me. Nobody raised his or her voice at me."

In fact, Armaan and Tanisha were heard imploring viewers to not eliminate Candy.

"Usually contestants go behind each other's backs and vote against the very people they swear are their friends. But here some of them were actually asking that I not be eliminated. It was heart-warming... but I had to get out."

Candy confesses that on many occasions she found herself on the verge of breaking down.

"I am the kind of person who gets nervous at the slightest of negativity. Very frequently in there (inside Bigg Boss) when tempers flew high, my heart started palpitating. I'd try to find a corner away from the camera to cry. Maybe I shouldn't have gone in there."

Candy says the reason she went in there was not money.

"Nowadays Rs.50 lakh can't even even buy you a home. So money was not the criteria. I went in there because someone I didn't know at all (Vivek Mishra) took my name in the context of (her ex-boyfriend) Kushal Tandon. I suddenly began getting calls from all and sundry asking what was that all about. I am not used to being questioned by relative strangers.

"I've a very small circle of close friends whom I'm comfortable with. Here I was suddenly getting calls and messages from strangers. I just wanted to go in there and confront this guy. And look at my luck. The guy, who had put me in a compromising position, left. So I was basically left to wonder what I was doing in there."

Candy comes away from "Bigg Boss" swearing never to be part of any reality show.

"I was on 'Roadies', but it was nothing like 'Bigg Boss'. Here everyone was constantly playing mind games trying to provoke one another for no rhyme or reason.

"This was no place for me... But it was a learning experience. I've come out maybe a little stronger. I value my loved ones even more now. I can't wait to meet my family again," she said.

Right now Gauhar Khan, Kamya Punjabi, Pratyusha Banerjee, Aijaz, Tanisha, Andy, Armaan, Elli, Sofia and Sangram Singh are battling it out inside the house.

Former model Candy Brar’s stint at “Bigg Boss - Saath 7" is over, but she doesn’t think actress Tanisha Mukherjee will face the same fate anytime soon.

Apart from the “Neal 'N Nikki” actress, Gauhar Khan, Kamya Punjabi, Pratyusha Banerjee, Aijaz Khan, VJ Andy, Armaan Kohli, Eli Avram, Sofia Hayat and Sangram Singh are vying for the title.

Candy interacted with all inmates, but is convinced that Tanisha has a great chance at winning.

"Tanisha is very calm and handles things well. She also stands firm on what she believes. I also like Armaan but he gets involved in fights. But I think Tanisha will win," Candy told IANS.

“Bigg Boss” is her second reality show after MTV's adventure reality show "Roadies 2".

Actor Ruslaan Mumtaz, seen in TV show "Kehta Hai Dil...Jee Le Zara", says he does not mind romancing an older woman on screen.

In the show, he is seen romantically inclined towards actress Sangeeta Ghosh's character, who is elder to him.

The actor, who made his Bollywood debut with a full fledged romantic film "MP3 - Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar", says romance has been an integral part of his projects.

"So far I have done romantic films only. Even the ads that I did had romance, so it's not a new thing for me. The only difference is that the actress (Sangeeta) with whom I am working now is older than me.

"But this difference is just for you visually. But as an actor, I am not bothered about it. Moreover, Sangeetaji is very beautiful, so I don't have to put in much efforts," Ruslaan said here Sunday on the set of the show.

The show airs on Sony Entertainment Television.

Former athlete Milkha Singh has been roped in by Emami Limited to endorse health supplement Zandu Kesari Jivan.

“Through my association with Zandu Kesari Jivan, I urge all people, young and old, to pay attention to their health and fitness. A healthy mind, body and spirit is key to a youthful life,” Singh said in a statement.

The new television commercial of Zandu Kesari Jivan featuring the 84-year-old, whose biopic “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag” recently became a blockbuster, is scheduled to go on air this month.

With this association, he joins the starry list of Emami’s past and present brand endorsers, which includes popular names in the field of sports like Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Virendra Sehwag, Sushil Kumar, Mary Kom, Saina Nehwal and Gautam Gambhir.

It was celebration time on the sets of TV show "Amita Ka Amit" as it completed a successful run of 200 episodes.

The show's producer Siddharth Kumar Tewary threw a bash Monday for the entire cast and crew of the show.

The party was held on the sets itself.

"It was a blast, we all were just enjoying every moment. This journey has been so memorable and I will forever cherish it," Chandni Bhagwanani, who plays Amita, said in a statement.

"Amita Ka Amit" airs on Sony Entertainment Television and Nishad Vaidya plays the male lead in it.

Sargun Mehta is all set to host the new season of "Boogie Woogie" along with child artist Rakshit Wahi.

Sargun has been part of the show "Kya Huaa Tera Vaada", "12/24 Karol Bagh" and "Phulwa" and Rakshit was seen playing young Sunny in "Parvarrish - Kuch Khatti Kuchh Meethi".

Both of them are hosting a show for the first time.

The new season of "Boogie Woogie" will see kids aged between six and fourteen years vying to win the title.

Launched in 1996, the show was the brainchild of TV personality Naved, his brother Javed Jaffrey and actor Ravi Behl. It was also one of the longest running dance reality shows on Indian TV.

"Boogie Woogie" will air on Sony Entertainment Television.

The team of crime thriller show "C.I.D." was delighted to shoot an episode with Bollywood actor Sunny Deol in a cameo role to promote his forthcoming film "Singh Saab The Great".

Sunny was on the set of the long-running show Tuesday.

Senior actor Shivaji Satam, who plays ACP Pradyuman in the show, is all praise for the Sunny's down-to-earth nature.

"We are very happy to shoot with him (Sunny Deol) and I have been his huge fan for many years. His nature affects you in a very positive way and it's fun working with him," Shivaji said here.

"It feels good to work with such people. When they (actors) come to promote their films on our show, we also become an extended part of the film family," he added.

Directed by Anil Sharma, "Singh Saab The Great" is slated to release Nov 22 and features Amrita Rao as the female lead.

Bollywood actress Amrita Rao's younger sister Preetika has been finalised to play the main lead in fiction show "Beintehaa" on Colors.

A passionate love story, "Beintehaa" will be produced by Farhan Salruddin's Fortune Productions and it marks Preetika's TV debut.

Before becoming an actress, Preetika was a film journalist. She made her debut in Tamil cinema in December 2010 with the romantic film "Chikku Bukku".

Before Preetika, another Bollywood actress Tanushree Dutta's sister Ishita entered showbiz through television show "Ek Ghar Banaunga".

"Vikas@Home", a new online series by award-winning chef Vikas Khanna, will cater to net-savvy foodies who can learn Indian cuisine right in the comfort of their home.

Online vortal Yahoo India Wednesday announced the launch of the 52-week series through which the chef will bring exclusive recipes and fascinating stories in an immersive video experience.

Khanna's first foray into an online show "Vikas@Home" is part of Yahoo Lifestyle.

"Vikas@Home" uses video, blogs, articles, behind-the-scenes, kitchen tutorials to create an exciting learning experience for users.

The series also has Khanna sharing tips and techniques - from chopping to plating - which add taste and flavour to Indian cooking.

"The series is developed around the belief that anyone can cook. It is meant to teach amateurs about the basics of Indian cooking, and help the experienced fine-tune their techniques," read a statement.

The show is available on PCs, smartphones and tablets.

The 2013 edition of popular reality TV game show "Kaun Banega Crorepati" (KBC) is said to conclude Dec 1. Its host, megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who shot for the last episode here Wednesday, says it was an experience full of fun and thrills.

A source confirmed to IANS that the last episode will be aired on Sony Entertainment Television Dec 1. For Amitabh, it was an emotional yet exhilarating moment to shoot for the concluding episode.

"Another day at KBC, the last for this season... but hope it fills again by the (next) year (and) fun becomes at KBC... without the inputs from the extended family, nothing would have moved. Thank you," the 71-year-old posted on Twitter in the early hours of Thursday morning.

KBC 2013 edition went on air on Sep 5.

Amitabh, who flew out of country Thursday morning, believes "work doesn't tire you" and says one glows in the love showered by the audience.

"And so here ends the lesson last episode of KBC done, and what an episode - fun, thrills, and the joy of those that win," he added.

The show is the Indian adaptation of international format "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire". KBC first went on air in 2000, and it changed the face of Indian television when Amitabh stepped in as the host.

Except the third season, which was hosted by Shah Rukh Khan, Big B has been in the anchor's seat for all KBC seasons.

Tickets for popular stand up Indian comedian Kapil Sharma's show in Oman's capital Muscat next week are selling like hot cakes.

Kapil will be accompanied by Sunil Grover, who plays the role of Gutthi in the show 'Comedy Nights With Kapil' on Indian television, for the Nov 22 show, the Times Of Oman reported Thursday.

According to the report, there is a long queue of people before ticket counters for the show.

"We have never ever experienced a response like this," a spokesperson of Roar Entertainment, the organisers of the show, said.

"Our strategy of not giving free tickets has created a tremendous demand and we expect to sell out completely over the weekend. Our Facebook page has also been flooded by his fans in Muscat and Kapil has generously responded with a special message on our page," the spokesperson said.

Oman is home to around 720,000 expatriate Indians.

Bollywood actor Sunny Deol, who will soon make his small screen debut as the host of reality-based crime show "Savdhaan India", says he has mixed feelings about the new role.

He will host two episodes that will be aired Nov 20-21 on Life OK.

"I have always been associated with action and crime movies. However, this time I will be hosting a crime show on television. This is my first stint as a television host and I am excited and nervous at the same time," Sunny said in a statement.

"I am glad I got an opportunity to anchor a crime show like 'Savdhaan India' and I hope I am able to contribute to the betterment of the society through the show," he added.

The episode will focus on Navjot Kaur's fight against her in-laws. Navjot gets married to Balbir Singh, the eldest son of one of the most respectable families in the city.

Like every girl, Navjot comes with a lot of hope, but it fades away after she witnesses her in-laws' atrocities towards her sister-in-law Amrit.

Taken aback by the insensitivity and cruelty against Amrit, Navjot decides to take up the cause and stand up for the right.

Sunny's stint on the show is part of a promotion for his forthcoming film "Singh Saab The Great", set for a Nov 22 release.

Actor Sunil Grover, popularly known as Gutthi from comedy show "Comedy Nights With Kapil", will tickle the audience's funny bone as the host of Zee Rishtey Awards 2013.

"Sunil will do a very funny act for the Zee viewers. He might not come in his Gutthi avatar, but there are good chances that he might don the character of another woman. We are still working on his look," said a statement.

The on-ground Zee Rishtey Awards will take place here on Nov 16 and will air Dec 1 on Zee TV.