Melodrama continues - article

It sure looks like all of young India wants to sing. There is something addictive about talent shows both for the audience and the wannabe singers — while the TV channels encourage participants to vent their emotion through hysterics and drama — it's the audience who has the last laugh. But to be fair to Sony TV, their Indian Idol has thrown up some really fresh voices, most of these youngsters come from varied backgrounds. Where else will you find a police constable, a tea shop vendor and a businessman's daughter from London — all bright-eyed and ambitious, these shows in many ways are a leveller — for money can't really buy true talent, it shines through for the world to see.

But the judges comprising Javed Akthar, Alisha Chinai, Udit Narayan and Anu Malik (currently on a break) seem to gel well. Of the lot Javed Akhtar's criticism is incisive but sometimes the man tends to tune out and suddenly back an off key singer with such conviction that it makes you wonder whether he's for real. Alisha is sweet and unbiased most of the time but can't help taking cudgels on behalf of her favourites. Udit is too syrupy and artificial and the contests must take his praise with a pinch of salt.

But the competition between channels is so cut-throat that Star and Sony aired the two Dons, on the same day, same time. While Star obviously aired SRK's version, the other channel opted for the original Don and while simultaneously watching both films, one thing was obvious, the older Don is far superior to the modern slick version.

Just like some of the TV soaps that seem to have lost their fizz as the female vamps turn more and more moronic. Kaveri on Saath Phere would perhaps not look half as bad if she wasn't so hideously turned out in those gaudy saris and garish make-up, but at least her evil act is more real than Saloni's 'wanting to save the world persona'. Why do all the soap queens have to be such meddlesome divas, who don't get peace till they have saved one distressing relative? All the wailing makes one yawn so it's time to say goodbye for this week.