Rwanda's television scene welcomes a refreshing change with Kaliza Wa Kalisa, a new series now airing on Zacu TV channel. Adapted from the Indian show Kareena Kareena by Zee Entertainment, this series marks a departure from typical Rwandan formats, offering audiences a novel viewing experience. Wilson Misago, the seasoned producer behind local hit movies like Seburikoko, Inshuti- Friends, and Shuwa Dilu, heads this ambitious project. The series centers on Kaliza, a young woman navigating life's ups and downs in Kigali with charm and resourcefulness. Divine Gatesi Kayonga, known for her various roles in The Bishop's Family, “Maya” and “Behind” series brings Kaliza to life with her dynamic acting and dedication to the craft. ALSO READ: Ada Cotton’s quest to celebrate African diaspora through cinema Directed by Roger Niyoyita, he infused the show with a vibrant visual style with dynamic camera work, and soft, playful lighting enhance the timing and underscore the series' lighthearted tone with hope for the audience to connect with the relatable struggles of the characters, especially Kaliza, and appreciate the humor found in everyday challenges, as explained by Misago. What sets Kaliza Wa Kalisa apart, he said, is its production quality. The team has invested in advanced equipment and collaborated with experienced technicians to elevate the show's aesthetic. The cast, despite facing the challenge of a unique acting style, has risen to the occasion with outstanding performances. “Early audience’s feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Viewers have embraced the fresh approach, connecting with Kaliza's character and praising the high production standards. The show aims to leave audiences feeling uplifted and entertained, finding relatable moments in everyday challenges,” said Misago. ALSO READ: How can the film industry in Rwanda be boosted? While the producers have a clear vision for the series' future, thanks to its adaptation from an existing show, they're keeping future developments under wraps to maintain suspense. However, they assure that the journey ahead for Kaliza will continue to captivate viewers promising the series to be a breath of fresh air in Rwanda's entertainment offerings, delivering relatability and high-quality production to viewers across the country. Misago takes us through the movie: How do you envision the series evolving if it continues for multiple seasons? Since the show is an adaptation, we already have a clear idea of how the series will unfold. However, to maintain suspense and keep the audience intrigued, we prefer not to reveal too much about the future developments. How would you describe the visual style or aesthetic of the show? This series has been Directed by Roger Niyoyita one of the best film directors in Rwanda. He chose the visual style of Kaliza Wa Kalisa is bright and lively, with vibrant colors and dynamic camera work that enhances the comedic timing. The lighting is soft and playful, emphasizing the lighthearted tone of the series. What was the most rewarding aspect of adapting this series? The most rewarding aspect of adapting this series was the opportunity to bring a fresh and unique comedic style to our local audience. Also seeing the cast and crew rise to the challenge of this different style of comedy was also a great achievement. From the few episodes aired so far, what has been the feedback? From the episodes that we have already aired, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Audiences have embraced the fresh comedic style and connected with Kaliza's character, praising her charm. Viewers have also appreciated the high production quality and the cast’s performances, particularly how they’ve adapted to this new type of humor.
