Channel V is associated with popular music, young VJs and reality shows.
So the idea of a teen crime series, based on real incidents and from the Balaji Telefilms stable is a first, indeed, and bound to raise eyebrows.
We’ re talking about Gumrah-The End of Innocence, which premiered on March 11.
The 13-episode series reconstructs crimes committed by teenagers, be it murder, drugs, sexual abuse or robbery, and this is followed by a session where psychologists provide an in-depth analysis on what goes on in these young criminal minds.
As real as it gets
First time host, Karan Kundra, of Kitani Mohabbat Hain fame, says Gumrah was a welcome break from his ‘romantic’ projects.
“The fact that it is a serious show which deals with cases like MMS scandals, gang rapes, and murders (committed by teens) interested me,” says the actor, who has been with the show since conception and will be working with Darmesh Darshan in a Punjabi film after this.
“When Vikas Gupta (head of Lost Boy Productions, the show’s co-producer) came up with the idea seven months ago, I offered him my support and we both began some research.
After reading up on cases, watching documentaries, and talking to the people involved, we decided to make a pilot series and send it to the channel,” Kundra says, adding that they have consulted lawyers, the police, organisations, psychoanalysts, parents and teachers for every issue taken up.
Cause and effect
The show’s aim is to educate parents, students and the general public about the consequences of (teenagers’) illegal activities.
“In the first episode, we talked about a private MMS which came out, fired by ego and anger.
About 90 per cent of the people we spoke to didn’t know that sharing someone’s private moment BBM or Bluetooth is illegal,” reveals Kundra, adding that the initial response has been heartening.
Gumrah - The End of Innocence airs every Sunday on Channel V at 7 pm.