Upala KBR (MID-DAY; February 10, 2018)

Before the broadcast of Swami Ramdev: Ek Sangharsh — a show based on the journey of Baba Ramdev — from February 12, the yoga-guru-turned-businessman is ensuring that the series doesn’t go unnoticed. The makers, Abhinav Shukla and Rohit Chaudhury, have organised a special screening at the Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi today. While the event will boast of a powerful guest list, interestingly, Ajay Devgn — who returns to television as a producer with the show — will be conspicuous by his absence.

Says a source from the creative team, “This place holds importance in Baba Ramdev’s life, as he had held a shivir [camp] of almost 10,000 people at this venue in 2002. Several politicians are expected to attend the screening, including finance minister Arun Jaitley, home minister Rajnath Singh and minister of electronics and information technology, Ravi Shankar Prasad.” The source adds that Devgn will be missing from action, as he is busy with the shoot of his next.

Baba Ramdev, on his part, says that the story of his “sangharsh” is one that needs to be told. “I have faced sangarsh [challenges] all along and the show traces it. [Through the show], I want to give a message to all my countrymen — never give up. Life will come with its challenges but if you are up to it, then nothing can stop you from succeeding.”