145;Colors146; offers a full spectrum

Perhaps it is unfair to expect it to be different and succeed but why does it have Jai Shri Krishna 8211; with Kans8217;s loud and ha-ha-ha laughter, indistinguishable from any other mythological since it is a Sagar production that has given us other lookalike epics. A new channel needs to look different but Jai Shri Krishna simply continues where NDTV Imagine8217;s Ramayan ends. Except, that is, for Kans8217; sister who was dressed as though auditioning for a wedding 8212; did women in times immemorial dress as if they had just emerged from a boutique?

The serial Jeevan Saathi, has another big little rich man in a mansion the size of Delhi with children who want or don8217;t want to get married. Ho-hum. It is also the proud possessor of foreign, blond Lydia whose accent defies all linguistic recognition 8212; she speaks English like it8217;s Hindi and faltering Hindi as if she is ET. Terrible.

There8217;s also a serial on child marriage, Balika Vadhu that celebrates the institution with little prince charming and little princess charming smiling winsomely at each other and us 8212; even as it opposes it. Negative advertising is often the best advertisement.

Mohe Rang De, set in 1942 8216;Lahore8217; during the Quit India movement is the most promising offering and a departure from current television serials. At least it is a historical drama with the trappings of something akin to Tamas and Buniyaad. Now, if only the production values were superior. Lahore is represented by a club that resembles a furnishings store, large mansions what would television do without them?, and a long winding tunnel where reside the brave krantikaaris. Our heroine8217;s name, by no strange coincidence, is Kranti who continually encounters our hero Rajbir, nickname The Hat which he never doffs unless he can8217;t help it 8212; just returned from the Bar in London to club in Lahore. A new English administrator is in town, and the freedom fighters8217; abortive attempt to kill him spews retributive venom from the administrator. His characterisation, like Lydia8217;s, is a caricature 8212; everything lean and mean that can be packed into a broad, fat man has been done so to make him appear despicable. Still, Mohe has real drama, a realistic story, believable acting and enough suspense to make you return for more. Thank you, Colors.

Not sure Khatron Ka Khiladi is the K in the pack even if Akshay Kumar is relaxed and winsome as the Fear-some host. He gets to show off, although never employ, his fearsome physique 8212; his favourite attire is a banyan does he advertise it as well? and a scarf why?. The stunts are something to be afraid of 8212; mice, spiders, fish and ice water reduce the actress-contestants to jellyfish. After a while, it gets repetitive and anyone who has watched the original Fear Factor has seen worse.

And Sajid Khan has what he must have always craved 8212; his own talk show, Sajid8217;s Superstars where he does all the talking as usual and his cine star guests listen. Or, react to his sallies. Good for Saturday nights.

Finally, SBI Life Insurance must hope it never ends up on the operation table, as does its model in a new TV commercial. The poor man, prostrate and helpless watches with increasing and sweaty horror the tremors of the geriatric surgeon8217;s hand faster than a blender. Not exactly what the doctor ordered.

shailaja.bajpaiexpressindia.com