Opinion New kids on the box

We well remember the 1987 Ramanand Sagar original when Doordarshan was our only TV destination; there was the 2008 Sagar Arts remake for NDTV Imagine that was less memorable and failed to popularise the new entertainment channel,probably the reason it was recreated in the first place. Come August 2012 and there’s another Ramayan: Sabke Jeevan Ka Aadhar on Zee,from the only team that seems capable of repeating itself three times: the Sagars.

Zee TV claims it wishes to reunite the family — from grandparents to grandchildren — in front of the TV on Sunday mornings,25 years after they first sat down together before the box. Of course,it’s very touching and high-minded of Zee,never mind that they’re also aiming to increase viewership and advertising by cashing in on the holy cow — pardon the expression — and follow Satyamev’s formula of a simulcast on DD.

The series itself,is simple and sophisticated: grand sets,pleasing technical effects for the magical transformations of Lord Vishnu into Baby Rama,for example,sweetly sung devotionals,exotically dressed royals and a morality play to remind us that,once upon a time in India,there were incorruptible spirits.

Perhaps that explains the return of Ram. And Lakshman,Bharat and Shatrughan to TV. Who else to turn to in these troubled,treacherous times? Perhaps they can achieve what Team Anna set out to: remind us that there is something called righteous behaviour and good governance.

Interestingly,the first Ramayan was telecast in the same year the Bofors scandal broke and the present avatar made its debut even as Ramdev railed against black money,Team Anna against corruption and the CAG released three reports alleging financial irregularities by the government.

Meanwhile,we have other,far more serious concerns: will this Ram replace Arun Govil in our hearts? The new Sita compare with Deepika? And who can replace Dara “Hanuman” Singh? Close your eyes and they’re there. And we don’t need YouTube to refresh our memories of them.

If Ram has returned,can Arjun be far behind? As it happens,he’s the star of a new weekend series,called,what else,but Arjun (Star Plus). Like his famous namesake,this modern reincarnation is out to fight injustice — as a supercop in the STF team which includes a lissome lass who may become his love interest. Presently,Arjun is more impressed by her head for figures than her figure. He’s an unsmiling,taciturn fellow with an annoying speech tick: “Samjhe ya samjhaon?’’ he parrots disdainfully to his team.

As you may have guessed,he’s invariably right: if his boss detects “suicide”,he replies,“No,murder” and murder it is. The series is slick and fast-paced which has two consequences: a swift shift in location from Mumbai to say,Rajasthan,and action so rapid we can’t keep up with how the crime is solved. Perhaps we’re not meant to. The surly sleuth is the focus of the story.

Teri Meri Love Stories,the other new weekend show from Star Plus is 90-minutes-long,each episode. Long enough for two hearts to beat as one. So an ambitious and “successful” businessman rediscovers love for his long-suffering wife after another man dances with her; so a husband and a wife discover in each other the love they have lost in their respective marriages with the help of their lovely kids and a long car journey in a yellow car. Slow as Arjun is fast,with lingering close-ups,soft focus shots and lilting tunes. Love Stories does not set your pulse racing but is romantic enough for a rainy Sunday evening.