TRP rating system under scanner, says Dasmunshi

Panaji, Nov 23 (IANS) Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi is not too happy with the TRP race among the television channels and said the ministry will soon address the issue.

'I'm not convinced with the kind of TRP ratings done in India. Just few thousand households shouldn't determine the view of the country. The TRP ratings amount to judging mood of the viewers of the country,' said Dasmunsi at a press conference here.

He cited small screen's favourite daughter-in-law Tulsi's case wherein STAR Plus had to alter the content to get the right TRP next week. Smriti Irani used to play the part in the long running series titled 'Kyonkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi'.

Another issue Dasmunsi raised was the expensive multiplex culture, which is separating common man from the movies.

'The commoners have patronised the film industry in the country for ages and they create icons. We have to think of good technology within affordable cost for them,' he said.

Dasmunsi also commented upon the fast mushrooming electronic and digital media in the country.

'The boom should be supported by low cost, well-built theatres across the country. Champions in digitisation will have to decide how the technology will be affordable for masses. If technology is confined to 30 to 40 percent multiplexes in India, in that case we will lose the market.'

Acclaimed director Shekhar Kapur, who also attended the press conference held at the Marriott hotel, lamented at the star struck corporate houses indulging in filmmaking business.

'Corporate houses are also running after big stars because they know that in India only icons sell the films. They don't give emphasis on script. Earlier Gemini and Rajshri used to make family dramas with new faces and it used to work at the box office,' said Kapur.

The 'Bandit Queen' fame director doesn't agree with the Indian filmmakers who say that piracy is affecting the movie business and keeps the audience away from the theatres.

'Piracy is everywhere and in every field, but in India it has become a fad. If a film flops the makers put the entire blame on piracy,' said Kapur