A doctor from the KEM Hospital is playing the lead role of Chhatrapati Shivaji in the maiden tele-serial of Marathi entertainment channel Star Pravah, launched by the Star Group here Monday.

The medico, Dr. Amol Khole, is playing the lead role in "Raja Shiv Chhatrapati" based on the life and times of the great Maratha warrior.

Bollywood and TV actress Mrinal Kulkarni is playing the role of Rajmate Jijabai, the mother of Shivaji who went on to found the Maratha empire. The serial is produced by Chandrakant Productions.

The channel Star Pravah was inaugurated Monday morning by Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh in the presence of Shiv Sena executive president Udhav Thackeray at a glittering ceremony held at the sprawling ND Studios at Karjat, outside Mumbai.

For the inauguration, a replica of the historic Raigad Fort and a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji were erected at the studio complex.

Star Pravah becomes the second Marathi channel from the Star Group in addition to the existing Star Majha, which beams general news round the clock in Marathi.