Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | NXg | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

In the glitz of Hindi channels we tend to miss out on what’s happening on regional language channels. They are also bringing in glamour to match the battery of Hindi channels. Recently Star Majha, a national Marathi news channel, has launched a talk show with Sonali Kulkarni as the host. We know Sonali is a talented Marathi and Hindi film actress but why to name a Marathi talk show “So Kool”. Done with Hindi, now English is pervading languages which were known for their sense of worth. The show is said to be inspirational and will feature personalities like art director Nitin Desai and environmentalist Bhatu Katade.

Those who thought bringing Shah Rukh Khan will add to Star Plus’ shine were in for a shock when IPL beat the star hollow. IPL over and Shah Rukh found a new competition in Salman Khan. So in what seems to be a desperate move, the channel has roped in star students for the Shah Rukh’s class. Earlier such episodes were reserved for festivals but now in the face of competition, we have Karan Johar and Rani Mukerji and Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor appearing in back-to-back episodes. Not to be left behind, “Dus Ka Dum” which was promoted as a common man’s show will feature Yuvraj Singh soon. Excess dilutes everything, folks!

These days “Kyunki Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai” on Doordarshan is competing with its more shiny cousin “Kyunki Saas Bhi Bahu Thi” in terms on TRP ratings. Based on “Facts of Life”, the show aims to highlight the complexities of everyday life in a rural setting, in an entertaining soap opera format. Where most soap operas believe in reiterating the image of the helpless and often oppressed woman, ‘Kyunki’ ultimately aims to free its women from the shackles of societal oppression. Director Umesh Bisht says, “It is the advertisers, production houses and channels who have vested interests that spread the rumours like this works and this doesn’t work.”

With saas-bahu failing to bring in the TRPs for a long time more and more channels are looking at mythology to save them. The latest to join are SahareOne and 9X. After 9X, Sahara has also started a series on Ma Vaishno Devi. Called “Mata Ki Chowki”, the series marks the return of Shantipriya as the Goddess. Yes, the same girl who many summers back debuted with Akshay Kumar in “Saugandh”. Apparently she has been signed for her godly eyes. Meanwhile, after lots of speculation 9X has finally announced its own version of Mahabharat. To be produced by Balaji, it has been titled “Kahani Hamari Mahabharat Ki”. Well, faith in saas-bahu can dwindle but not in K magic.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail