Kut and paste soaps

Much as I would like to convince myself that Balaji soaps offer the much
needed escape from reality to the harassed housewife, each of its offerings,
trotted out at regular intervals, continues to disappoint.

Kasturi is no different. The idea probably was to replicate the Kkusum story - the plain Jane next door, who's actually one in a million, but it's a tired old premise now. The novelty has worn off Kkusum-like characters, and grandiose Balaji sets (however middle class the protagonist, her house can be nothing less than a mansion) don't impress any more. Nor do the designer sarees and custom made baubles. The sameness is omnipresent, whether it be a new Kasturi, a recent Kayamath or even the old Kesar.

Kasturi's protagonist is a plain looking girl, who in the inaugural episodes, has to battle the issue of getting married against her wishes, to a chocolate face, who seems kind enough. Does nothing more exciting happen in the lives of Indian girls even today? Do all their dreams and aspirations end at the altar even in this age? Balaji and Star seem convinced it's so.

Temptation island

Veteran actor Roopa Ganguly has also succumbed to the Balaji lure, tempted probably by big bucks and bigger exposure, into a wasted role that will have her doing little more than gazing adoringly at her daughter and casting frightened looks at the daughter's prospective in laws. Mita Vashisht, known for her strong performances in films, too has been reduced to playing a caricature in Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii. Is it the dearth of really good roles on TV that pushes good actors to such roles?

Possibly. But the actors on Viruddh seem to be enjoying themselves immensely, toying with the strong dialogue and the emoting opportunities the script allows. It's pure pleasure watching the interactions of Vikram Gokhale, Govind Namdeo and Sushant Singh as they play out their professional and domestic political games with each other. Or is the sharp contrast the serial offers to insipid fare elsewhere that makes it stand out so bright?

One positive fallout of the World Cup getting over is that Sab can return to its usual programming mix. Left Right Left should be back (and Tony and Deeya Singh should preferably concentrate their energies on this one, rather than on Jeete Hain...on sister Sony) as also Mohalla Mohabbatwala. And if the promos are anything to go by, Anurag Basu's forthcoming show, Love Story, sounds like it's going to be worth sitting through. For the variety and quality of programming it continues to struggle to put together, I would still lay my bets on Sab.

The others continue to find the formula the safest (battered housewives continue to tell their fathers that 'a husband's house is the paradise for any woman', as one did in Zee's Betiyann recently). Kasamh Se and Jeete Hain's protagonists are threatening to go into revenge mode, wanting to extract justice for all the wrongs done to them in their marital home. Don't worry though, neither is likely to forsake husband, hearth or home to stand up for her rights. Even a Parvati gets all teary eyed when she returns to the Agarwal household every time, anyway.