Mumbai: Times Now Navbharat today announced the launch of the documentary series, Kahani Navbharat Ki. Directed by Aparna Sanyal, recipient of the prestigious National Film Award, and hosted by the multi-faceted Bollywood actor, Vikrant Massey, the 10-part series chronicles defining stories of India’s 75 years that have shaped Modern India. Complimenting the essence of the series, a theme song composed by Gaurav Chintamani and written by Dr. Sagar is integrated into the show. The original soundtrack is a groovy rustic rap that draws inspiration from Indian history and culture. Produced by, Times Chronicles, Times Network’s Content Studio that produces fact-based originals, the docu-series will air from January 30, 2022, every Sunday at 8 pm on Times Now Navbharat SD & HD.
Presenting a well-researched and factual record of historical events through a lucid and immersive narration, Kahani Navbharat Ki showcases important stories such as the beginning of India’s mobile revolution, culture of vaccination in India, issue of MSP, nationalization, and privatization of banks, the establishment of IITs amongst others. The series also features riveting first-hand accounts by India’s first voter – Shyam Saran Negi, Wing Commander Krishnamurthy, who witnessed the signing ceremony of the Surrender Document during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, Ashok Mahadevan, the journalist who put out an obituary for democracy after the announcement of the emergency and Raman Roy, who started the BPO industry in India amongst others.
Through hybrid forms of storytelling that employs several visual elements including rare archival photos & footages acquired from multiple sources including National Archives, PIB, The Times of India Archives, Films Division & multiple private collectors, sketches, animations, stylized graphics, and full-frame illustrations, each episode captures the emotion of the era, offering a vivid and clear picture to viewers. The intellectually stimulating series features contributions of the authors, historians, academicians, and luminaries, including Sanjeev Sanyal, Principal Economic Advisor, Government of India, Devaki Jain, Economist & Writer, Tavleen Singh, Writer & Journalist, (Late) Kamla Bhasin, Feminist Activist, and Dr. Harsh Pant, Professor & Writer amongst others. The fruition of yearlong in-depth research, the series was guided by the team of eminent researchers and scholars from multiple disciplines including Sanjeev Sanyal, Dr. Anirudh Deshpande, Professor, Department of History, University of Delhi, and Dr. Louise Tillen, Director, King’s India Institute & Professor of Politics, Kings College, London, who aided the research to bring forth unbiased viewpoints.
MK Anand, MD & CEO, Times Network said, “We are proud to present Kahani Navbharat Ki (KNK) on Times Now Navbharat. KNK is a deeply researched, fact-based series of untold stories that define the last 75 years of Independent India. While a lot is discussed about our medieval and ancient history, there are scant resources when it comes to unbiased commentary on contemporary India and how it has developed over these eventful years since independence. As an emerging major country on the global stage in the 21st century, it is important that we as Indians understand our historic circumstances and appreciate who we really are and how we have become. I am confident that this docu-series will serve as a reference point to every Indian, especially the youth to understand the New India story in great depth.”
Show host, Vikrant Massey said, “I am thrilled to be associated with Times Now Navbharat to host ‘Kahani Navbharat Ki’. The series aims to unearth forgotten historical incidents and present them to the viewers with utmost authenticity. My motivation as the host was to inspire, inform and intrigue the audiences about what’s gone into making India what it is today. I always wanted to be a part of a project like this, and I am happy to have this opportunity to share our proud history and culture.”