The brand new Sci-fi drama series, Terra Nova, at the outset, steps into the familiar territory of survival in the dinosaur era, a throwback to Steven Spielberg’s JurassicPark of the 90’s. What sets it apart is its focus on familial ties, relationships, and the fact that dinosaurs are not the only dangers the people of Terra Nova face in their bid to survive.
Terra Nova is a first human settlement in an alternative timeline 85 million years in the past when dinosaurs walked the earth. The scientists discovered a rift in the time-space that allows people to travel back in time thereby giving them an opportunity to save humanity by going back to live on questionably a safer earth.
Star World India aired the first episode of Terra Nova on 8th October 2011. For those who have missed it, here is a synopsis:
The Plot so far: The show starts by introducing the Shannon family – Jim & Elisabeth, the parents, and their three children Josh, Maddy, and Zoe - and the world they inhabit in the year 2149, which is on the brink of extinction brought on by dwindling air quality and over population.
When the law enforcers threaten to take away the youngest one, Zoe from the family (the law being 2 children per couple), Jim assaults a cop and lands up in jail. Few years later with Jim still in the prison, Elisabeth Shannon, a trauma surgeon is invited to live in Terra Nova, along with Maddy and Josh. When she realizes that she would not be allowed to take Jim and Zoe with her, she decides to help Jim escape from the prison.
Jim breaks prison, and gets Zoe too just in time to make it through the portal that lands the Shannon family in Terra Nova. Josh, the 17-year-old son, leaves behind more than the world he lives in, he reluctantly leaves his love behind. They enter a new world as part of the tenth pilgrimage.
Col Nathanial Taylor (Avatar’s Stephan Lang), the first one to inhabit Terra Nova seven years ago, is also responsible for setting up the colony. He runs a tight ship commandeering an army of law-enforcers, doctors, and researchers, to ensure the well-being of the settlers.
While we see the family settling into their new home, we are introduced to carnivorous dinosaurs and the sixers (a faction that opposes the gated community of Terra Nova since the sixth settlement) who threaten their existence on Terra Nova.
Steven Spielberg is one of the many executive producers of Terra Nova. It is one of the most ambitious and expensive projects of Fox network. The series is being filmed in the Scenic Australian Jungles.
Will Terra Nova prove to be treat for the fans with depth in the plot or will it just remain a trick with dinosaurs, familial drama, explorers, mysteries creatures, and time travel thrown in, is yet to be seen. Let us hope it delivers on the promises that a gripping first episode made.
Here is a video where you can catch Rahul explaining a scene to Drashti and Ahwaan during a sequence.
Rangmunch.TV: What prompted you to choose the Media world as a profession?
Rahul: In school, I was always inclined towards extra-curricular activities like drama, elocution, debates, sports, origami, participating in dance competitions, that prompted me to explore my creative talent during my growing up years.
When watching movies, I always had this feeling that someone is watching the actors and keeping an eye on everything around like a secret detective. However, when I grew up, I realised that the secret detective was none other than a “camera.”
So I joined as an Apprentice Director Assistant in Mr. Anupam Kher’s company, and while learning the craft of film-making I realized the potential of the medium as the most expressive one. That’s how I chose media as my profession.
Rangmunch.TV:“A Director is like the Captain of a Ship”, your take on this statement.
Rahul: Being a part of the television industry, I will comment on this statement. Today a Director is divided into two parts, mainly a Creative Director who along with channel and writer brainstorms the story and screenplay, while the other is the Director (someone like Me) who convincingly shoots all of that and enhances the vision of the script. He conceives the characters, and keeps the flow of the story and scenes intact. So a Director is “The Navigator” of the Ship.
Rangmunch.TV: You work as a Freelancer. Have you ever thought of being associated with a Production House? If not, why?
Rahul: I haven’t been approached by any Production House to join them hahhaha! Indian markets don’t have this trend yet of hiring in-house Directors’. Also as a freelancer one has the freedom to choose one’s own project as per his will and time.
Rangmunch.TV: As a Director, what are those few criteria’s that you look into when taking up a new show?
Rahul: Well a couple of things. Firstly which Production House is producing it and which Channel will be airing it.
The creatives of the show are equally important and above all the content. It has to be challenging. If its an ongoing show, I weigh the pros and cons and see how I can enhance the show as a whole.
Rangmunch.TV: One show “then & now” which you would love to be a part of?
Rahul: Every now and then there comes a show which I as a director would have liked to do. I would have love to be a part of many shows in the past which Yash Raj Films had produced such as Khote Sikkay and Mahi Way. Currently I like the new show “Bade Acche Lagte Hain”. After a long time I have seen a show with good content.
Rangmunch.TV: You have directed shows like Dahejj, Maayka, Bhaskar Bharti, Dil Mil Gaye & most recently Geet Hui Sabse Parayi? Which of these shows have given you the maximum creative satisfaction?
Rangmunch.TV: Does a strong script & good actors make a Director’s job easy?
Rahul: Yes and No .
Rangmunch.TV: Who do you idealise in the field of Direction?
Rahul: I don’t idealise any one per say. But I do have my personal favourites from yester years like Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Raj Kumar Santoshi, Mukul Anand. In the recent times I like Raj Kumar Hirani, Mani Ratnam, Rohit Shetty.
Rangmunch.TV: After Direction, Production is usually the next gradual progression. Will we see you produce a show in the near future?
Rahul: Why just produce a show, I would like to be known as a Filmmaker.
Rangmunch.TV: How important is it for you to feel connected to fans?
Rahul: Connecting to fans today is like seeing the audiences’ reaction during a play....Instant! So it makes the journey lot more exciting.
Rangmunch.TV: Describe “Rahul the Director” & “Rahul the person” in one word or sentence.
Rahul: Rahul the Director is always in search of Perfection, while Rahul the person- let that be personal.
Rangmunch.TV: If you were not a Director, then what would you be?
Rahul: Maybe a Doctor as my father wanted me to be, or Fashion Stylist and have my own label.
Rangmunch.TV: Your greatest accomplishment till date.
Rahul: When I became a
Director and saw my name being aired for the 1sttime.
Rangmunch.TV: How soon can we see Rahul Agarwal back with his Creative Vision on small screen?
Rahul: Soon!
We at Rangmunch.TV, would like to Thank Rahul Agarwal for this candid interview.
Mumbai, October 14th, 2011: STAR Plus, India’s No 1 Hindi Entertainment Channel, has been adjudged the best in its class at the prestigious CNBC Story Board Awaaz Awards 2011.
STAR Plus topped viewers' choice in a pan-India survey of over 5,500 viewers in the country. According to the survey conducted by CNBC Awaaz and AC Nielsen in the run up to the awards, STAR Plus emerged a clear leader with maximum viewership in the country and was voted as “The Most Recommended Television Channel of the Year” in the Entertainment Category.
“Viewers are at the core of STAR Plus’s content. They are the force that drives us to constantly raise benchmarks with shows that set a social agenda, while simultaneously improving on the viewing experience through HD channels and Apps that make content available on-the-move," Nitin Vaidya, Business Head, Hindi Channels, STAR India said, thrilled by the recognition. He added: "To be voted as the most favorite channel is a huge compliment and an honor. We, at STAR, are humbled at receiving the CNBC Story Board Awaaz Awards 2011."
The channels refreshed brand philosophy “Rishta Wahi, Soch Nayi” (adopted in June 2010) is not just a tag line but the operating brand philosophy which is best expressed through the actions of its progressive protagonists. These iconic women characters, reflects India, what’s changing and what’s reassuringly remaining the same. Post the adoption of the same Star launched a series of new shows like Navya, Is Pyar ko kya naam doon, Gulaal, Ek hazaro main meri behena hai most recently.STAR Plus continues to seek to inspire and entertain through strong and stirring content that reflects and propels India forward in its path to fulfillment. It is this vision that has made STAR Plus the leading Entertainment Channel in India, touching the lives of 300 MM viewers a week and earning the place as the most loved channel brand for viewers.
STAR Plus, STAR India Pvt ltd.'s flagship channel, reaches more than 300 mn viewers weekly. The channel has redefined the Hindi GEC space by retaining its leadership position in the Hindi GEC space for more than a decade and introduced innovations like HD recently, consolidated its position as the leading Hindi broadcaster in India. With discerning and distinct fiction content, iconic characters, unparalleled non-fiction formats & events to its credit, STAR Plus continues to set the agenda for the Hindi Entertainment genre in India.
The Rangmunch Team congratulates Star Plus on winning this prestigious award and hopes they continue to entertain their fans in a similar manner in the years to come.
