RAKHI SAWANT TO WED ON TELEVISION

AUDIENCES TO HELP RAKHI SELECT HER IDEAL LIFE PARTNER. Seeks prospective grooms in a first of its kind televised reality show NDTV Imagine to play matchmaker.

Mumbai, April 7, 2009: This summer, Imagine invites you to the wedding of the season. In a unique, first of its kind experience on television, Imagine presents a new reality show that traces the journey of a bride-to-be, from selecting her groom to the marriage ceremony, all captured on television. In a move that is true to her expressive personality, the bride-in-waiting Rakhi Sawant has chosen to search for her real life-partner on Imagine’s new reality show Rakhi Ka Swayamvar. Rakhi is taking matters of the heart into her own hands with a nationwide search for her perfect husband along with the support of the audiences. After exhaustive challenges and eliminations, Rakhi will take the saath-pheras with her husband in a grand ceremony that will be a fitting finale to this unique journey, and everyone is invited.

Rakhi Ka Swayamvar is a concept that has never seen before on television. The show promises to reveal a seldom-seen side of Rakhi and also provide an insightful glimpse of a roller coaster ride of emotions and tribulations. The ultimate selection of the groom will be made by Rakhi herself with the active help and participation of the audiences.

15 prospective grooms will be found from across the length and breadth of the country through an extensive all-media audition process. As a starting point, interested, prospective grooms will need to send in their profiles for selection. This will be followed by multi-city face to face meetings where these prospective grooms will be shortlisted.

Over the duration of the show, the prospective grooms will be brought together under one roof and put through a series of challenges that have been created keeping in mind the criteria identified by Rakhi herself. Each week, the grooms will be put through tasks that will test their personality, character, physical fitness, talent and also their compatibility with Rakhi. Additionally, Rakhi will be joined by a host of her celebrity friends for certain tasks, who will help her make her decision. In keeping with tradition, Rakhi will also visit the homes of the prospective grooms to get to know their families better. All through the series, viewers will help Rakhi decide, by voting for or against the prospective bridegrooms.

The final week will present the wedding celebrations in all its glory from the Mehendi to the Sangeet and culminating in a real-life wedding for Rakhi with the groom that she has chosen. All of these exciting events will be captured exclusively on Imagine. The show is being produced by SOL Productions Private Limited.

Speaking on the occasion Shailja Kejriwal, EVP Content, NDTV Imagine said “Reality has never been so real on TV before. Rakhi Ka Swayamvar is truly a unique concept that will capture all emotions and choices that Rakhi will experience in her quest for the right husband. This is our modern interpretation and adaptation of an age-old tradition of arranged marriages, where we are using the hugely popular platform of television to help Rakhi find her groom and fulfill her dreams. We’re very excited with the concept as it will also connect her with TV audiences across the country, the very same people that have made her so popular and successful today. ”

Rakhi Sawant added, “Every young woman dreams of a perfect marriage! There is a right time in your life to get married, to become a wife and a mother. I am a cultured Indian woman with good values and I have reached a stage where I need a companion with whom I can share my love, joys, sorrows and success with. For me that time is now… However I want to solemnize my marriage in the presence of all my fans who have been supportive of me throughout and what better way than getting married on national television? I am looking for a companion who is warm, affectionate, someone who can dance a little bit, who respects women for who they are and above all who is punctual. Even Sita had her Swayamvar…so why not me?”