Farhan Akhtar to host Zee's 'I Can Do That'

The non-fiction show adapted from an international format will air for just five weeks starting October 17th.

ZEE TV has announced the launch of its new finite non-fiction show, 'I Can Do That' adapted from an international format, which goes by the same name. Created especially to run for only five weeks during the 'festive' season, the show, which will be hosted by Farhan Akhtar, will have celebrities, most of them from television, stepping out of their comfort zones and performing 'never-seen-before, entertaining acts'.

Developed by Israel's Armoza Formats, 'I Can Do That' has also been airing in America, Italy, Russia and Bulgaria. Actor-director Farhan Akhtar, will essentially play the role of motivator to the celebrities. The channel says he has been chosen for having donned many hats-that of writer, director, actor, producer, and thus, embodies the spirit of 'I Can Do That'.

The show is produced by Essel Vision Production Limited. The twelve known faces who will be seen on the show are Dino Morea, Gauahar Khan, Gurmeet Choudhary, Mandira Bedi, Rithvik Dhanjani, Shibani Dandekar, Meiyang Chang, Madhurima Tuli, VJs Bani and Andy, Chef Ranvir Brar and Bharti Singh. Their acts will compete for audience votes.

Pradeep Hejmadi, Zee TV Business Head said, "Right since its inception, Zee TV's content has resonated beautifully with the ethos behind 'I Can Do That' - be it the singing and dance reality shows that have motivated the masses to channelise their talents and scale their fullest potential or any of its fiction shows that have the core messaging of 'Ummeed' embedded. So, a show like 'I can Do That' is an ideal fit for our channel. It approaches celebrities with a 'Can Do' attitude and poses them with challenges that they'd probably never imagined they could pull off. It traces their journey from 'Can I Do That?' to 'I Can Do That'. Audiences, the world over, love to watch celebrities on television - whether they perform or are put in a real life situation.

On the separate 'expert talent team' that will guide the celebrities, Hejmadi adds," This show gives the celebrities twelve remarkable achievers from different walks of life pushing themselves to accomplish seemingly insurmountable tasks. Farhan Akhtar is the perfect choice as the host of such a show.....With his wit and spontaneity, he brings alive the edgy spirit of the show beautifully. While most non-fiction formats play out over 13 weeks, this will be a short 5 week sparkler for our viewers this festive season."

Farhan Akhtar, who has earlier hosted a show called 'Oye! It's Friday!' on NDTV Imagine, commented on his comeback saying, "I Can Do That' is an aspirational show that challenges its participants to dream big, be fearless and think out of the box. These are qualities that I find admirable in people and look forward to an entertaining and viewer-engaging show."

Akash Chawla, Business Head, Essel Vision Production said, 'The format allows the show be localised and customized to the sensibilities of our viewers. The Indian edition has an exciting line-up of celebrities who will be challenged every week to outdo each other in a wide range of tasks, ranging from intricate dance choreography to aerial trapeze, from stilt-walking to magic and illusion from flair bartending to daredevil stunts and much more. Unique talent teams from across the length and breadth of the country have been specially flown in to demonstrate the challenges that lie ahead for the celebrities and prepare them for the tasks through intensive workshops"

Vaseline is the title sponsor for 'I Can Do That' and the show will premiere on Zee TV on 17th October.