"Na-insaafi ki band bajaati hai' ! Karan Razdan's iconic crusader show Rajni 2.0 (Aradhana Sharma) wins mega-'waves' responses on DD-N-- gets highly praised by Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi and legend Anupam Kher !! By Sr. Journalist Chaitanya Padukone

The daring young TV star on-screen female crusader of the mid-'80s cult-TV show called 'Rajani' ( played by 'late'  super-actress Priya Tendulkar) has returned with a big bang in a new next-gen gutsy daughter screen-avataar as Rajni 2.0  in this new TV show produced by maverick writer-producer-director-actor Karan Razdan.

In a moment steeped in nostalgia and renewed purpose, IAS Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO of Prasar Bharati, addressed the press conference of filmmaker Karan Razdan’s Rajni 2.0 on DD National and WAVES OTT, reaffirming the cultural significance and enduring current relevance of India’s most iconic social crusader. The evening stood as a stirring tribute to the 'late' amazing actress Priya Tendulkar, whose fearless convincing portrayal of retro-Rajani ( directed by 'late' Basu-da Chatterjee) reshaped Indian Television and awakened a entire Indian generation to fight and expose injustice !

Produced by Karan Razdan under the Lord Shiva Entertainment banner, Rajni 2.0 follows Rama Rajni Prabhakarr, ( fondly called 'Guddu' ) who walks in the footsteps of her iconic mother and takes ahead her daring legacy with unwavering resolve.

The new Rajni 2.0 season boldly confronts and exposes prevalent real-world major issues — fraudulent builders and RERA challenges, VVIP racism, unethical malpractices and cheating in most private hospitals, misuse of bypass surgeries, entitlements under Ayushman Bharat and PMJAY, workplace sexual harassment under the POSH Act, fake-fraud Godmen, chit fund scams, drug de-addiction, and the fast-growing menace of mobile bank-accounts frauds, and digital arrest frauds targeting gullible youngsters and vulnerable senior citizens.

Currently on air having completed telecast of initial 25 episodes, the widely-watched Rajni  2.0 airs daily on DD National from Monday to Friday at 8:00 PM in the 30 minutes slot..For those who are unable to catch the original telecast, they may watch the already-telecast episodes on the popular Doordarshan Waves OTT

Reflecting on the same, IAS Gaurav Dwivedi, dynamic CEO, Prasar Bharati, said, “My takeaway from the promo today was three phrases — women empowerment, consumer rights, and the safety of women in the workplace. Rajani was conceptualized, executed, and broadcast before  the issues entered common language,  which shows how much the futuristic cult-show was ahead of its time. It is unfortunate we could not find the episodes to re-telecast such great work, much as we would have loved to. But we searched and finally found competent Karan Razdan to bring the revolutionary show back as Rajni 2.0, and we are elated that Rajni is back with a bang to entertain and enlighten !”

Speaking at the event, exuberant Karan Razdan shared that the show seeks not just to highlight societal problems but to empower citizens with solutions. “Priya Tendulkar made Rajni a revolotionary movement. Rajni 2.0 honours her legacy by giving today’s home-viewers and OTT viewers the classy entertainment, blended with clarity, courage, and vital preventive and remedial information and guidance. Which would help them to rebel against injustice, crime and also know their legal rights, " asserts Karan Razdan.

The glittering evening also resonated with heartfelt sentiments from distinguished guests. Legendary evergreen actor Anupam Kher spoke warmly of his deep bond-old-friendship with Karan Razdan, his profound respect for 'late' Priya Tendulkar, and the need for socially relevant impactful shows like Rajni 2.0 to find space on the DD National platform and WAVES OTT. 

Co-producer-former  lead actor Harman Baweja expressed pride in supporting a show aired on DD National and WAVES, adding that his presence also honoured the cherished bond his father, eminent filmmaker Harry Baweja, shared with both Karan Razdan and Anupam Kher.

Articulate actress Aradhana Sharma spoke with disarming candor, saying that working on the series was not only a powerful learning experience but also an eye-opener that deepened her own understanding of the harsh social realities of injustice and crime  — something she feels proud to voice both as an off-screen citizen and as an actress-artiste.

Also attending the Rajni 2,0 media event were the supporting cast well-known actresses including Delnaaz Irani ( as screen- 'jethhani ),  charming actress Divya Goswami , Nalni Jhaggta, eminent senior composer Raju Singh, award-winning lyricist-poetess Shweta Raj, costume-designer stylist Sukanya Kandarkar and the famous casting director-duo Shraddha-Sohan ----who were all also well-appreciated by Karan Razdan  

The press conference concluded with an emotional remembrance of Basu Chatterjee and Priya Tendulkar, followed by a celebratory cake-cutting that marked the growing success of Rajni 2.0 — a series that continues to honour a formidable legacy while inspiring India to stand up, speak up, and demand a better tomorrow.