New Delhi, Oct 18 (UNI) UNICEF India and BBC Media Action India today launched a‘coming of age’ action drama series for social change called ‘AdhaFULL’. The half-hour-long episodes of AdhaFULL, will be telecast on Doordarshan National on Friday, Saturday and Sunday every week between 7.30-8 pm starting October 21, 2016. Gracing the launch of ‘AdhaFULL’, a 78 episode TV series conceptualised by UNICEF and created and developed by BBC Media Action, were Chairman of Prasar Bharati A Surya Prakash, UNICEF India Representative. Louis-Georges Arsenault, Director General Doordarshan Supriya Sahu, Country Director, BBC Media Action. Priyanka Dutt, officials from the Government of India, senior members from the media,civil society partners and adolescents themselves. AdhaFULL follows three adolescents—Kitty (16), Tara (11) and Adrak (15), who form the AdhaFULL gang, as they solve a new case each week. The mysteries are intertwined with their journey of growing up in a small town. Issues such as under-age marriage, nutrition, stereotyping of girls and boys, continuing education, peer pressure, school drop-outs and exam blues and gender-based violence are creatively depicted in the narrative. Ms Supriya Sahu, Director General, Doordarshan highlighted that as a Public Service Broadcaster, DD has always strived to reach out to its viewers through meaningful and impactful programming. ‘’Telecast of AdhaFULL on DD is the fulfilment of its commitment,’’ she said. Mr. Louis-Georges Arsenault, UNICEF India Representative, said, “India is home to 243 million adolescents. This series portrays adolescents who stand up for their rights. Through a mix of social drama, action, energy, fun, humour and emotions, this edutainment package discusses existing social norms and showcases transformation from a culture of silence to a culture of change and freedom” “Doordarshan has the largest reach in India. We are happy to be the first channel to broadcast a dedicated programme for adolescents, engaging them so that they can reach their full potential”, Prasar Bharati Chairman. A Surya Prakash said. AdhaFULL, the Hinglish name of the series, reflects the hybrid nature of both a society in transition and adolescence. The AdhaFULL gang episodes swing between its ruralavtaar of the past and its present small town persona with urban trappings. Speaking about the show, Radharani Mitra, National Creative Director & Executive Producer, BBC Media Action, said,’’young lives and aspirations are about the 3Cs - curiosity, challenge and creativity. They are willing to re-evaluate, to take chances but often feel limited. Through AdhaFULL’s story and its characters, we want to engage our young viewers and their parents in a journey of change, so that they feel they can negotiate and work with the 3Cs. For us, it’s been an exciting, enthralling journey – I hope it would be the same for our audiences.’’ AdhaFULL is a ‘creative magnifier’ – it brings to life, in a thoroughly entertaining way, everything that deserves a place in the series about adolescence. The action- packed series is being produced by Sunshine Productions, complete with pyrotechnics, chases, stunts, stylised lighting and filming, original sound tracks to accentuate drama and suspense. The television series will be supported by a 78-episode-long radioshow called Full on Nikki, as well as a mobile game, an inter-personal toolkit, graphic novels and DVD omnibuses. UNI AR AE RJ 2002