ZEE Carnival presents celebs up, close & personal

Saif & Karina signing autographs

It was a weekend filled with glitter, glamor and great fun as ZEE TV celebrated its 10th anniversary in the US, with a three-day carnival. The ZEE Carnival was held at the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus, NJ, from August 30 to September 1.
This lifestyle exhibition, under one roof, had the very best in entertainment, fashion and flavors from the sub-continent.

A great affair for the community in the Tristate area, ZEE Carnival hosted some of the best known names of television along with Bollywood top stars Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor. Television celebrities Ram Kapoor, Sharad Kelkar, Roshni Chopra, Kirti Gaekwad, Kadambari Desai and many more were there to meet with their fans, sign autographs and to take pictures with.
The exciting event saw Indian American community from the tristate area thronging the venue in large numbers. Visitors attended the carnival from all corners of the East Coast. This was an experience of a lifetime for many people who love to watch ZEE TV to stay connected with their motherland. "Watching ZEE TV is how we keep abreast of what's happening in India. ZEE News fills us in on the current affairs of the country, while the regular TV serials make us feel connected to the country. TV watching was one of the biggest pastime for me back in India and I am glad that I can still follow my favorite serials due to the wonderful programs that ZEE TV broadcasts here," said Pritika Soni, of Edison.
"I am very happy to be at the carnival. I never thought I can see my favorite stars in person. ZEE TV has done a wonderful job by organizing such a good event," said Kapil Mmalik of Jersey City, who attended the carnival on all three days.
An autograph stage hosted the stars and provided a lifetime opportunity to attendees to get autographs and photographs with their favorite stars. Current winners of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Challenge USA 2008, along with Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2007 finalist Mauli Dave entertained the crowd with a musical program.
A fashion show, held twice daily, displayed the latest Indian fashions, while celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor hosted cookery shows, displaying some mouth watering recipes, at the carnival. World renowned adviser of Ayurvedic cure, Dr Pankaj Naram, hosted three lectures/ workshops a day and educated the attendees on how to change life by the way of yoga and Ayurveda.
Along with the glamor of television and big screen, attendees also had an opportunity to shop for Indian items like clothes and savor a variety of food.
Jyoti Malkani of Edison was ecstatic by the news of ZEE Carnival and she decided to cancel her trip to Aruba in order to see her favorite stars in NJ. "I was very excited about the carnival. I watch the TV serials all the time and I could not let go such a great opportunity to meet with my favorite stars. I literally breathe ZEE TV serials and I am very happy to be here," Malkani told SATimes.
ZEE CARNIVAL, now a regular feature in UK and Singapore is expected to open new vistas for businesses in the US.
Speaking of the event, President of ZEE TV USA, Inc. said, "This is our way of expressing our gratitude to our viewers. This is the first time that we are stepping out of the box to meet our audience one on one."

By Juhi Jhunjhunwala Dhingra