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CABLE WALA
Suicide syndrome
What is driving young television actresses who look perfectly happy to the extreme step of suicide? In a span of less than a year, three actors — Shalini, Vaishnavi and Shraddha — have committed suicide, sending shockwaves across the Tamil television industry. Says serial director C. J. Baskar: "I think these girls succumb to work pressure and loneliness. At an impressionable age, they cannot handle fame, money and the glamour associated with the industry." A leading producer says: "Most of these girls are from educated upper middle class families who want to make it big instantly. They get exposed to the glitz and glamour, and get involved in love affairs that later fizzle out. This leads to depression and suicidal tendencies." Now leading production houses are worried whether girls from a middle class background will opt for a career on the small screen.
Zee-Kannada launched
Last week, Zee Tele films rolled out its second television channel in the South — Zee-Kannada. The programming in the channel has been designed to cater to the three different regions within Karnataka — coastal, Northern Karnataka and Bangalore. According to Ajay Kumar, Business Head, Zee South: "The programmes are targeted at the conventional Kannada viewer but will also appeal to the younger audience." After Zee Telugu and now Kannada by yearend, the network which has 27 channels in the country will be coming out with its Tamil and Malayalam channels.
Another reality show
Seeing the success of reality shows in Hindi and Tamil, Asianet in Malayalam has started "Minnum Tharam", a new talent hunt for aspiring actors. Noted actor Jagadish will host the weekly programme in an attempt to identify mimicry artistes. Remember that many Malayalam actors such as Jayaram, Dileep, Kalabhavan Mani and Harisree Asokan began their film career after being popular mimicry artistes. The winner of each episode will be selected by the viewers through SMS and will get a chance to act in a film.
Getting high
Today, Navjot Singh Sidhu is more popular as a television host than as a hard hitting batsman. His one-liners have become a big hit with the masses. His programmes "Cricket Controversies" (NDTV) and "Great Indian Laughter Challenge" (STAR One) gave him wider visibility, even in villages. His combination with Shekhar Suman is deadly, as they judge amateur stand-up comedians in "Great Indian Laughter Challenge". Sherry, as he is popularly known, is back with Shekhar in part two of "Laughter Challenge". But the big news is that he is playing God in Ekta Kapoor's new serial "Kya Hoga Nimmo Ka"!
SREEDHAR PILLAI
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