Soap Queen shows she still rules

This week, We the People focused on the 'veil' and its impact on Muslim and Rajput women. Barkha roped in the usual suspects like actress Shabana Azmi and politician Asaduddin Owaisi. The pro-veil group comprised Muslim women from all walks of life but the other end of the spectrum was represented by international actress Kainaz and Shabana. The discussion, went on needlessly — actually none of the speakers got more than a minute —Barkha was too busy butting in — she never allows anyone to complete their sentence citing time constraints as a result of which, there are several half-baked opinions that emerge on the show with no conclusive evidence.

Instead of getting 20 meaningless voices, doesn't it make sense to focus on a few key individuals and get a sensible message across? We the People makes all the right noises, but unfortunately that's what they remain — noises with no substance whatsoever.

The Indian Television Academy Awards aired on Sony brought out the ever-growing rivalry between- friends-turned-foes Smriti Irani and Ekta Kapoor out in the open. Smriti, who had been winning the best actress award for the last seven years courtesy her role as Tulsi had to be content with winning the critics award for the best actress this year for Viraasat — a point which the lady highlighted as part of her 'thank you speech' and she couldn't resist thanking Ekta as getting a break from Kyun Ki enabled her to concentrate on Viraasat. A peeved Ekta, retaliated when her turn came, by saying that Smriti wanted to be out and it was her call.

Queen Bee's clout was evident when her blue-eyed girl, Prachi Desai and boy, or rather man, Ram Kapoor won the best actress and actor award respectively for Kasamh Se.

www.deccan.com