100% Telugu OTT platform aha, a household name for Telugu entertainment, bringing together latest blockbusters and pathbreaking web shows, is lining up a memorable, slice-of-life web original for viewers titled The Baker and the Beauty. The romantic drama starring Santosh Shobhan and Tina Shilparaj in the lead roles is all set to premiere on aha on September 10, 2021. The show is a tale of two opposites, revolving around an unlikely romance between a middle-class youngster Vijay, who manages his parents' small-time bakery and a film star Aira Vasireddy, a loner at heart despite having the world at her feet. The Baker and the Beauty is directed by Jonathan Edwards and marks the first collaboration between aha and reputed production house Annapurna Studio, which has a six-decade legacy in the entertainment industry across multiple mediums.
The first poster of The Baker and the Beauty was unveiled by aha's founder, star producer Allu Aravind, aha’s CEO Ajit Thakur and producer, CEO of Annapurna Studios, Supriya Yarlagadda. The poster sets the ball rolling, introducing the viewers to the contrasting worlds of its lead characters Vijay and Aira Vasireddy. Vijay (played by Santosh Shobhan) is seen alongside a hoarding in a posh locality, featuring an image of the popular actress Aira (essayed by Tina Shilparaj). The on-screen chemistry of the lead actors catches your attention instantly and it'll be interesting to witness the clash of their destinies. Vishnu Priya, Sai Swetha, Sangeeth Shobhan, Srikanth Iyengar, Jhansi Laxmi and Venkat play crucial roles in the show.
The Baker and the Beauty is aha's first Telugu adaptation of Keshet International's globally-acclaimed series by the same name. The first season of the show received high ratings from critics and was widely watched. "We're very happy to collaborate with Annapurna Studios and aha to bring together the international adaptation of our show, The Baker and the Beauty, for Telugu audiences. aha, Annapurna Studios and Keshet International share a unified vision of coming up with content brimming with local flavour that cuts across barriers. The Baker and the Beauty is a show with an undeniable universal appeal comprising beautifully-etched characters that are rooted in their setting. aha has consistently stood out for the quality Telugu original content it has churned out at a record pace and we hope to take this association forward to deliver many memorable shows in the times to come," said Kelly Wright from Keshet International.
"aha has delivered big time in terms of numbers and offering quality entertainment to Telugu viewers with its vast content library of latest movies and genre-bending web originals since its launch. Recently, we've had consecutive successes like Kudi Yedamaithe, that gave the digital space its first sci-fi crime thriller and received immense applause besides Tharagathi Gadhi Daati, a blissful small-town teenage romance that felt like a walk down the memory lane. I must say, this is the beginning of a phase aha is going all out in terms of original offerings, be it films, originals, web shows. With The Baker and the Beauty, it's wonderful to associate with Supriya (Yarlagadda) and a production house as illustrious as Annapurna (Productions) that has a legacy of its own across multiple mediums over six decades. I can't wait for audiences to watch the performances of the lead actors Santosh Shobhan, Tina Shilaparaj and Vishnu Priya; they have a bright future ahead of them," said Allu Aravind, founder of aha.
The show has been adapted in Telugu keeping in view the sentiments and sensibilities of a different audience. Beyond its lead characters and the rom-com setting, the feel-good show offers a grounded picture of the conflicts, aspirations across Telugu middle-class households and the elite sections of the society with a pinch of humour and sensitivity. The romance chapter in the lives of a 'pakka local' guy and a young damsel in distress promises a rollercoaster ride of emotions for the viewer.
The Baker and the Beauty promises to be another feather in the cap for aha, which had premiered the country's first sci-fi crime thriller in the Indian digital space, Kudi Yedamaithe, recently. Directed by Pawan Kumar, the show, starring Amala Paul and Rahul Vijay, received applause from audiences and critics alike. The platform has hogged the limelight in 2021 for premiering popular movies and shows including Krack, 11th Hour, Zombie Reddy, Chaavu Kaburu Challaga, Naandhi, In the Name of God, Needa, Kala, aha Bhojanambu, One and Chathur Mukham.
Cast:
Santosh Shoban, Tina Shilparaj, Vishnu Priya, Sangeeth Shoban, Sai Swetha, Srikanth Iyengar, Jhansi Laxmi, Venkat
Crew:
Producer : Supriya Yarlagadda, Director: Jonathan Edwards , Creative Producer: Maheshwar Reddy Gojala, DOP: Suresh Ragutu, Music: Prashanth R Vihari, Edit: Nageswar Reddy Bonthala, Executive producer: Anand Reddy Karnati, Art: Jhansi Lingam, Costumes:Rajini.
About Keshet International:
The Baker and the Beauty is aha's first Telugu adaptation of Keshet International's globally-acclaimed series by the same name, which was created by Assi Azar for Israel’s most-watched TV channel, Keshet 12. Following widespread critical acclaim and ratings records in Israel (both seasons one and two were the most watched dramas in their respective broadcast years), the romantic comedy returns to Keshet 12 for a third season this autumn. To date, Keshet International has licensed the format in various territories for local adaptations: including the United States for ABC (produced by Keshet Studios and Universal Television); the Netherlands for NET5; Russia for CTC; with more deals in negotiation.
