Monday, 21st November 2011, Mumbai: Educating girls is one of the strongest ways not only to improve gender equality, but to promote economic growth and the healthy development of families, communities and nations. Taking this thought forward, Zee TV, India’s leading Hindi General Entertainment Channel, is all set to bring to its viewers a new series whose universal appeal and topicality will prove to be a ray of hope and inspiration to many. Titled ‘Afsar Bitiya’ and set in Bhagalpur (Bihar), this show will throw light on the importance of female education and issues surrounding their education. It talks about a young girl’s resilience, aspirations, dreams and motivation to work harder and make a mark in society despite all adversities. The story traces the journey of Krishna, whose life centers around getting a good education to improve her family’s life. She is quiet and demure yet a go-getter.
Enacting the lead role of Krishna, who embodies all the virtues of an ambitious woman and is strong enough to become self sufficient is a charming newcomer, Mitali Nag. From a lower middle class family where no one had ever got a better job than a clerk, this girl rises against all odds and happens to become a B.D.O. (Block Development Officer) through her sheer hard work. Her life and her family’s life change forever after she becomes an ‘Afsar Bitiya’. The show then traces the journey of this honest and determined girl from an extremely moderate background who deals with ever changing family situations after she becomes successful in her career.
Speaking on the launch, the Fiction Head of the channel, Mr. Sukesh Motwani said, “Afsar Bitiya is a story of a girl who makes a mark in her life and becomes someone to reckon in the society only through sheer hard work and dedication towards studies. I hope audiences will be inspired and inculcate the zest to study and become ‘someone’ whom others will want to emulate. Zee TV has a longstanding commitment of addressing social concerns prevalent in India by giving a solution and educating the masses on ways to tackle these issues.”
‘Afsar Bitiya’ is produced by the popular television content writer Mr. Rakesh Paswan under the banner ‘Village Boy Productions’. On his first time production, Mr. Paswan said, “This subject is very close to my heart as the inspiration of the story is my own little sister who is a BDO in one of the districts in Jharkhand. Through the lead protagonist Krishna, I hope millions of girls residing in small towns and villages of India will be inspired to pursue their dreams and not succumb to societal pressures. I also want to send a message to all the parents to give equal importance to their daughters to help them build a bright and glorious career for themselves.”
Apart from Mitali Nag, veteran actors Virendra Saxena and Shahbaz Khan and young heartthrobs Kinshuk Mahajan, Yash Sinha, Shivshakti Sachdev have been chosen to play pivotal roles in this primetime saga. Says Mitali Nag, “I’m absolutely thrilled to have bagged the lead role of Krishna in ‘Afsar Bitiya’ simply because of its strong social message! A Block Development Officer is a person who works towards community development and helps in uplifting the lives of the weaker sections of the society. I read a lot about the responsibilities of a B.D.O before taking up this project and it really inspired me. I’ll feel good if I’m able to inspire even one young Indian girl among teeming millions to become a B. D. O.”
To spread the message of female education and women empowerment, the channel has lined up extensive BTL activities which will be done across many schools and colleges in India.
Krishna’s unexpected achievement brings in a lot of happiness for her family, but is her happiness meant to stay forever? Her sudden accomplishment attracts not only fame but many difficulties. Will Krishna’s values remain intact after she becomes ‘Afsar Bitiya’? Will her position in the society allow her to become a doting and caring wife? Will the nature of her job allow her to remain an obedient daughter and a devoted daughter-in-law? How an honest and determined girl from a moderate background adapts to changing situations is what makes the narrative of AFSAR BITIYA a poignant one! Watch out for ‘Afsar Bitiya’ only on Zee TV!