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Cablewala

The Mandira touch

After Mandira Bedi replaced Madhavan as the new anchor in "Deal Ya No Deal" (Sony TV), its ratings have gone up. Mandira is trying to reinvent herself from noodle-strap to Bharatiya nari image.

The programme format has changed as the common man (coolies, traffic police, autorickshaw drivers) has found a place on the show.

Last week, Mumbai's famous dabbawalas, who transport nearly two-lakh lunch boxes a day, were featured. Sudhir, one of the dabbawalas, participated in the show, as 22 others enjoyed the fun.

The Mandira touch is evident as she makes the show lively and interesting.

Another soap According to a recent TV survey, people in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu, go to bed early, compared to viewers in metros in North India.

Hence, the 10-11 p.m. slot is not considered prime time here. Tamil TV producers find it difficult to market soaps in this slot.

The only person who has been successful is C. J. Baskar, director of super hit serials such as "Chitti" and "Annamalai" (both were telecast at 9.30 p.m. on Sun TV). Now, Baskar is back with a new serial "Penn" that premieres today and as the title suggests, the central characters are women.

"Penn" will see the debut of two Kollywood actors, Seeta and Meera Vasudev. Seeta plays Ranganayaki, a woman who heads a business empire, and Meera plays Deepa, who is inducted into the family business.

There are the usual twists and turns that one sees in Baskar serials.

His favourites Delhi Ganesh, Ajay Ratnam, Viji, `Subbalekha' Sudhakar are among the cast. But the question being asked is whether "Penn" (Sun TV, Monday-Friday, 10 p.m.) will keep women viewers engrossed at this hour.

SREEDHAR PILLAI

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