CELEB WATCH

Columnist Shanta Gokhale

I wish the actors stopped making faces
all the time in Mrs Madhuri Dikshit
I am not a very keen television watcher. I read Screen more often than I watch the small screen. But, of course, there are certain programmes which I try to make time for though I often miss them because of my hectic schedule. One programme I just love tuning into is TVS Sa Re Ga Ma because I love music. Also, it is a well presented programme. Most importantly, it gives a platform to many young and talented singers.

I hate to watch serials. I don't have the patience to follow them week after week nor do I want to get involved or carried away by the silly happenings. I do watch my daughter Renuka Shahane’s serials because she thinks I am her best critic. Sailaab I watched fairly regularly. Imtihaan and 9 Malabar Hill were good serials but as a mother, I hated to see Renuka weeping all the time. At times I would get impatient and emotionally disturbed too and I would walk out of the room. Mrs. Madhuri Dikshit was a serial which both of us were looking forward to because we were told that it was to be directed by Kundan Shah, one of the best directors, one of the best directors on the scene today. But unfortunately that did not happen. I do find the serial fairly amusing at times but I wish the artistes would stop making faces all the time.

I like to watch discussions on television. There used to be more of them in the old days but now they are hard to find. By discussions I mean the ones that were telecast during the election. I follow such programmes closely and really enjoy them.

I find chat shows frustrating because things are so chaotic that a person is not allowed to even complete his sentence. His views on a subject are cut short. I like Divya Seth’s anchoring in Purushkshetra. She is a quiet person, but sophisticated. She does her homework very well. I find Priya Tendulkar in The Priya Tendulkar Show very difficult and aggressive. If she is more professional and less aggressive, I am sure she will do an admirable job because she handles some of the major issues on our planet today.

Amongst the English channels, I watch the BBC News at times. Though I don’t like American programmes much, I loved a series on architecture that was telecast sometime ago. It was a well presented and extremely stimulant.

Since I love Hindi films of the black and white era, I watch them whenever they are telecast on any of the channels, provided I have the time. Dilip Kumar is my all time favourite, but I also love to watch Guru Dutt and Sanjeev Kumar 's films.