Extreme Makeover returns to Indian screens, this time on Imagine

The buzz has it that Imagine is coming up with yet another reality show. The show tentatively titled Extreme Makeover is the desi version of the international format of Extreme Makeover. The international format of Extreme Makeover was initially aired on ABC in 2002 and it was produced by Howard Schultz. Endemol has been the creator and the distributor of Extreme Makeover and have had a good run in 185 countries over the world. This time they are coming up with the same concept in India. However, the concept of extreme makeover is not new to India as Sony had aired it in a show called Naya Roop Nayi Zindagi in 2008, produced by Miditech and which was hosted by Mona Singh. It had 13 episodes where they showed participants (with scarred faces, acid attacks, etc) through reconstructive surgery, fitness regime and styling. A source says, “100 girls with genuine cases related to their beauty will be selected out of which 14 will be on the show. These girls will get a chance to go through a complete make-over. They can select the kind of look they want and will be given that. The stylist and beauticians from abroad will work on it. A big brand is sponsoring the stylists and beauticians. The shooting will be just a 10- day affair in which the makeover will be done in just three days. “The show will include the participants’ back stories, reasons behind why they want a makeover and then their new look. Lara Dutta will be hosting the show and if things go well these girls will walk the ramp for fashion designer Manish Malhotra. “The final 100 for the show have been selected but the channel has yet to select the final 14. The show was scheduled to go-on air by end of April but the auditions have been delayed hence, this may push the airing date a little further.” Saurabh Tewari, programming head, Imagine remained unavailable for comment.