Struggle Saga of Another Mata Bhakt piyushroy
Posted online: Jul 03, 2008 at 1708 hrs

: Mata Ki Chowki - Kalyug Mein Bhakti Ki Shakti
Monday-Friday, 10:30pm, Sahara One
Vidya Sagar (Sai Ballal) is a Bhadarwar (off Jammu) based devotee and head priest at the local temple of Vaishno Mata. Being issueless even after nine years of marriage, Sagar on his wife Shraddha’s (Mona Ambegaonkar in an effective cameo) insistence agrees to adopt an abandoned girl, left outside the temple. The couple decides to call her Vaishnavi, but naturally. However, Vidya Sagar takes couple more years to warm up and acknowledge his adopted daughter. But just when the thaw happens, his wife dies in an accident during childbirth and he once again distances himself from Vaishnavi, blaming her for the family’s ill luck. Vaishnavi (Muskaan Arora) grows up to be a Mata bhakt famed across her hometown for her devotional recitals, with occasional glimpses of supernatural power. Her life goes for an uncanny twist, when she’s married to the son of her town’s most respected resident, Sheel Kumar (Sudesh Berry), who wants to encash her goodwill for some money making religious tourism. And, the saga continues…
Jammu’s famed Hindu goddess - Mata Vaishno Devi - seems to be the latest flavour of the socio-mythological genre on TV with at least two other versions on other channels revolving around the goddess and her disciples. Though purely fictional, Mata Ki Chowki however enjoys a strong realistic connect because of some good, natural acting (sans the in-your-face suffering and melodrama of faith testing shows) and a plot with some contemporary connect, at least as of now. Its frequent scenic outdoors too come as a welcome break to the gaudy indoor-centric sitcoms. Mata devotees would also enjoy the show’s frequent breaks into songs, in praise of the popular goddess of high abode.
Verdict
A story of faith and devotion that’s high on some natural acting with ample ‘holy’ miracles and relatively few clichés.

Pamela's Comic Shine
Stacked
Tuesday, 8:30pm, Sunday, 5:00 pm, Star WorldBaywatch ‘babe’ Pamela Anderson returns to another Star World show albeit in an all-together different avatar as Sklyer, a blond bombshell (again) seeking a tamer life from her wild and partying lifestyle. A chance entry into a small, family-run bookstore at a time when its owner Gavin (Elon Gold) is battling his own marriage blues, throws forth a job and some interesting role opportunities that she takes up to hilarious conclusions. Adding to the sitcom’s fun metre are Gavin’s bumbling brother, Stuart (Brian Scolaro) and the store’s other lone employee Katrina (Marissa Jaret Winokur), who resents sharing her work and charm space with an intimidating bombshell.
Anderson surprises in her comic timing, in this funny, entertaining sitcom, whose every eventful scene unfolds in an interesting page-from-a-fairy-tale-book format. Not to discount, Christopher Lloyd’s absent-minded professor act, as the store’s lone steady customer with some witty summary takes on the ongoing confusion.
Verdict
A light-hearted workplace sitcom that entertains.

Predictable Chase Games
Prison Break
Tuesday, 10:00pm, Star World
The Emmy-nominated drama in its second season continues from the successful escape of its lead brother duo Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) and Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell) from the Fox River State Penitentiary along with six other convicts.
For those joining the show this season, the first one had the protagonist Michael’s brother Lincoln put on death row, after being falsely implicated in the murder of the Vice President’s brother. The lone believer of Lincoln’s innocence, Michael, through his personal quest at seeking his release bumps into a massive governmental conspiracy to see Lincoln executed. Circumstances get both the brothers in jail and they plan a nail-biting escape (culminating in the season one finale) with six other convicts. While the brothers have to decide whether to flee the country or stay to clear Lincoln’s name, they also have to be a step ahead of a national manhunt tailed by Captain Brad Bellick (effective) and FBI Special Agent Alexander Mahone (impressive).
As the chase intensifies, the second season promises more in terms of action and visibility for Michael, though the frequent flashes (jarring) and narrative jumps might deter the uninitiated.
Verdict
Season one loyalists will enjoy it better; as regards newbies - fans of gore and racy action (though quite jerky) could give it a try.