Karisma and Karishma. Last Monday, the day Karisma Kapoor experienced one of the miracles of destiny — love and marriage — her TV character, Devyani, suffered its misfortunes: single, pregnant with her lover’s older brother, Bade Thakurji, alternately trying to ravish and run her out of the village (Karishma. The Miracles of Destiny, Sahara). While Karisma had mehndi as intricate as the design on her lehenga applied to her hands (Zee News), Devyani’s hands were full of Bade Thakur’s marauding men. And, even as Karisma and her wedding guests increased their weight by a sickening 150 dishes, food was the last thing on Devyani’s mind. What the women did have in common were mothers who bid their daughters a fond farewell: Karisma’s mom hugs her and Devyani’s embraces death. Television celebrated Karisma’s wedding dhoom-dhaam se. News channels permitted us to share her husband, sorry happiness and admire our favourite Martians, sorry movie stars — except of course, the Bachchans. Which means we didn’t admire much because everyone knows the B in Bollywood stands for Bachchan and he’s all that separates Bollywood from Hollywood. Sorry, there’s a little lady standing next to the tall fella. Lataji. Hollywood hasn’t a match for her. No wonder, then, her 75th birthday was celebrated like the superstar’s sixtieth. Sahara broadcast live, the tribute Tum Jiyo Hazaron Saal, while the news channels interviewed her and serenaded Mangeshkar with her own songs. Lata Mangeshkar’s birthday is a milestone and, therefore, news. However, our news channels must be awful short on subjects because the release of every Boom arrives with a bang on TV news, even if it subsides without a whimper at the box office. Directors such as Gustad Kaizad praise their own efforts, the actors laud their own performances and Suniel Shetty discusses his debut as a producer like Khel was the next Pather Panchali. TV news celebrates everything with a complete lack of discrimination: Navratri, Durga Puja, hockey, release of film music, a fashion show. All very lovely but is this news? Well, as much as Murli Manohar Joshi is announcing in Hindi the PM’s rejection of his resignation and then repeating himself in English, word for word: ‘‘I accept with all humility.’’ Repetitions. Listen carefully to exchanges between a news anchor and correspondent on any news channel: Anchor: Today, Bharat Shah was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment after his conviction for omitting to reveal Rizvi’s connections with the underworld. Since he has spent 14 months in jail, he is free to go. Over to our correspondent in Mumbai. Correspondent: Yes, today, Bharat Shah is a free man after spending 14 months in jail. He was found guilty of omitting to reveal Rizvi’s connection with the underworld and sentenced to one year’s imprisonment. Or, this from DD after the assassination attempt on Chandrababu Naidu: Minu Talwar/Anchor: For the first time an attack has taken place in the south (of AP). Does this indicate that they (PWG) are extending their network? Hyderabad Correspondent: Yes, you are right. this is the first time there’s been an attempt there, that too in a high security zone. You are right, Minu, they are extending their network. Repetition is evidently our cultural conditioning, not exclusive to news channels. Here’s a translation from the TV serial Kisse Apna Kahein (Sahara): Noor: I shot Arshad. Abba: What? You shot Arshad? Noor: Yes, I killed that scoundrel. Abba: You killed him? We repeat not just words but actions too. Wednesday, 8.30 p.m. Zee: On a deserted road, a husband is shot dead by an unseen assailant, leaving the wife devastated (Manshaa). 8.30 p.m. Sahara: On a deserted road, an assailant shoots dead the husband, leaving the wife devastated (Kadam). Recommendation: A ‘K’ with a difference. Every week, Kaagar (Sahara) tells a story of people who are driven to the edge — and fall off. It’s compelling human drama, dark and often disturbing: last week, dealt with child abuse carrying on into adulthood and why such violations remain shameful secrets. It’s time more TV shows shrugged. Complaint: DD Sports’ hockey coverage did its best to increase the tension: it often omits the scoreline, it seldom provides the time. What will it do to this week’s India-New Zealand cricket test match? Lastly, this delightful disclaimer from Sanjivani (Star Plus): In this serial, the ‘‘characters and medical treatment are entirely fictitious’’!?
