Mamma Mush,a pesky girlfriend called Kiki,a self-deprecating cutie pie called Ranbir Kapoor,mad-about-baba parents Neetu and Rishi Kapoor as cutaways and a hugging-clapping youngistan made Simi Garewal's first episode of India's Most Desirable on Star World. Instead of ripping insights into the desirability quotient of single celebrities,what we got was a large serving of marshmallows- soft content,spongy celebs,repetitive ideas,everything a tad overdusted with sugar for a prime time entertainment slot. Garewal's much-hyped novel talk show had everything that the tyrant called lifestyle boasts of in media. An anti-ageing agenda was held up by the 63-year-old hostess who looked like a wrinkle free 40-year-old in black and white designer wear,emerald and diamonte jewellery and brown nails (Simi's formerly favourite red is in the red perhaps). Add to that skin care brand Neutrogena as the show sponsor; a set that seemed lost between an Asian paints advertisement and a magazine décor shoot; an audience that consciously mixed Bharat and India; a tarot card reader saying only beautiful things and a dutifully doting star called RK. What you get? Skin care,jewellery,fashion,décor,an emotionally correct celebrity and a buzzy crowd-on-rent. Lifestyle magazine fare,no? The least one expects from Garewal is crisply edited content and some understanding of celebrity behaviour. Neither came our way; there were no surprises on the show either. The first episode should have been a killer,instead it chugged predictably through Ranbir's newly minted Casanova image vs his real,introverted self,his respectful outlook towards family,elders,girlfriends,mentors,friends. Two bytes from mother Neetu Kapoor on beta's heart of gold would have made the point; but the show's editor roped in half a dozen,spoiling the broth. Ranbir behaved his age. Simi behaved his age too. She turned a role play section called Mindfield-ostensibly an interaction between a needy girlfriend called Kiki and RK to assess his relationship quotient-into a laborious game for her viewers. Very adolescent. Jarringly oversimplified. So much so that it made RK's good boy,better son,best boyfriend potential look less desirable than his Casanova image which has an unexplained twang about it,a mystery that fuels interest in a celebrity's life. Garewal's show may need to grow up. Otherwise desirability may be its first casualty.
