Tag Archives: Doordarshan

Best TV hosts of Indian silver screen

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Right from the start of ‘Doordarshan’ to the wide range of channels, Indian Silver screen has traversed the path of success significantly over the past 60-70 years. In this phenomenal success story, many programs have formed a pivotal role in contributing towards its growth.

Talking about programs, some of them had been the one, which came along with some striking anchors, who inched up their success on Indian silver screen, hence becoming as important in the growth of the Indian TV, as the programs themselves.

Let’s know some of the best anchors, which our silver screen has produced till date. These anchors have definitely raised the bar of hosting a show and continue to inspire the wannabe anchors of the new age.

Renuka Shahane and Siddharth Kak

Who could forget the ever smiling and witty duo of the popular show on Doordarshan called ‘Surabhi’? Perhaps one of the record breaking shows of the channel, the program succeeded in running for 8 long years since 1993, becoming the longest running cultural series. In fact, the show garnered huge popularity because of its format and the anchoring. It was even featured by the Limca book of records, for receiving the largest measured audience response in the history of Indian TV.

Shekhar Suman

The very name reminds one of the popular shows, ‘Movers and Shakers’, which saw Shekhar Suman in his most prolific anchoring acts. Although he has hosted many shows since then, his Movers and Shakers continues to remain a cult in his genre of anchoring. He was not just versatile, but equally charming in his acts.

Anu Kapoor

He had mastered the art of singing and understanding the proper ‘sur, tal’ behind them. He, along with Durga Jasraj, had made the singing reality show, ‘Close Up Antakshri’, a huge hit. His charm, his knowledge and his witty remarks often left the participants as well as the judge, or singing maestros, charmed. He still hosts a similar show, on Masti Channel, where he plays old Hindi movie songs. The show is called ‘The Golden Era-with Anu Kapoor’.

Farooq Sheikh

If Indian masses have known him as the versatile actor of the arts film genre, then there is no denial of him being an equally versatile anchor for his show ‘Jeena Isi ka Naam Hai-season 1.’ His candid conversations with the celebrities and the likes, made him and the show very interesting and likable.

Amitabh Bachchan

Whatever he touches turns into gold! Maybe you can term him the King Midas of Indian silver screen, cause the moment he stepped in to it, he changed the face of anchoring completely. His indefatigable energy levels, the warmth of his talk, the witty chit-chat with the participants and the intellectual and dignified persona, everything about him charmed the millions, who couldn’t help but stay tuned to KBC every night at 9. He stole the show with his charm, presentation and made the show a huge success, fetching the ‘People Choice award’ for best TV host.

Salman Khan

The unabashed witty and charming Salman Khan has proved to be a good entertainer on the TV as well. He started his journey with ‘Dus ka Dum’, but has travelled well with Bigg Boss seasons 4 and 5, fetching huge audience response. The audience loves his warmth, his candid talks with the participants, including the celebrity guests on his show.

Manish Paul

He is the new entrant into the list of successful anchors of Indian TV. He has a number of shows to his credit like DID Li’l masters, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Singing Superstar, Nach Baliye and a few award ceremonies as well. He is today considered to be the most watched and loved anchor of the industry.

Anoop Soni

He has made crime talk, the talk of the town. His show ‘Crime Patrol’ has garnered good response from the audience on the back of his good presentation. Although he has been seen in many TV soaps, he has definitely gained an edge with his power packed brilliant anchoring with Crime Patrol.

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The Most-missed TV shows: Dekh Bhai Dekh, Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, Hum Log

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Thanks to the entry of Cable TV and now Digital TV, we are now used to watching loads of new shows almost every week. But once in a while me sure you must be going down memory lane and want to relive some of the shows that ruled the Indian Television before cable days. So are you ready to go back in time? Are you ready to share your most favorite shows? Well, we at iDubba thought that this might be a great chance to also know from the television audience about the TV shows that they miss the most. 

Well, as you all know that Doordarshan was the only channel that was present before Cable TV’s took over. Although that was the only option, but even now when we speak with our friends and family members, some of them still consider that to be the best option. That does not mean that today’s television shows are not good, but the quality and the simplicity of the shows on DD made it memorable, even today. Remember those Sunday’s when Rangoli use to come up with Songs (It’s still running on DD on Sunday’s), and then India’s favorite show Ramayan, written, and directed by Ramanand Sagar. Sunday at 9:30 am was prime time. Yes… It was time for the entire family to switch on their television. The same thing happened with B. R. Chopra’s Mahabharat.

 DD had this unique way to carting to all sections of audience right from kids to elders. Now a days there are dedicated channels for each section and age groups. Some might say that Doordarshan lost its audience as there were not many quality shows. But shows such as Hum Log, Nukkad and Buniyaad had made a huge impact in the minds of the television audiences. They were path breaking shows that showcased the true Indian society, its struggle, joys and sorrows. People still miss such shows. Can today’s shows have such deep emotions and connect with the audience? Can they hold on to the audiences for such a long duration? Decades and Decades have passed by, but such shows are still talked about.

You might wonder that we don’t like today’s shows?  Well that is not the case. But somehow you might like to ask yourself this question “10-15 yrs down the line, would you be talking about shows such as Bade Acche Lagte Hain, Hongey Judaa Na Hum, Kya Huaa Tera Vaada, Kuch Toh Log Kahenge, Punar Vivah – Zindagi Milegi Dobara, Rab Se Sona Ishq etc, etc. Well, some might say that BALH might make that list. Well, the point is that although we have so many channels now to watch en-number of shows, but most of them are just for TRP’s. Their life span is very limited, some shows even end up running for max 8-10 months, and when the TRP’s are down, the LEAP era begins.

When we talk about shows such as Dekh Bhai Dekh and Sarabhai vs Sarabhai and the kind of comic timing is missing now a days. Well, some might say that Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is doing a great job. Well, that’s true, but other than that, remaining shows are doing an average job.

So coming back to the earlier point, we would like to know which TV Shows do you miss the most. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and share the shows which you miss the most.

Top 3 Bollywood Biographical shows on TV – Which is your favourite?

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The beauty of cinema is that every star in tinsel town has an era during which he / she ruled the roost. A time when films soared commercial success, film makers made a beeline for them, awards and recognition came pouring in and a time when they were linked up with people, often members of the same fraternity. And since nothing on television works as good as nostalgia about the good old days of cinema, Headlines Today puts all of these together in a mixed bag with a show aptly called An Affair to Remember.

Curiously named after the 1957 release with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, Headlines Today’s version of An Affair to Remember is all about tinsel town’s stars, their stardom, their successful films, their inherent styles that made them superstars and the occasional romances that they had with their peers.

The show when compared to its competition on rival channels fails to catch the viewer’s imagination – clichéd scripting, full of songs (surely an actor has a larger repertoire in his career than just songs), snatches of interviews gathered from all over the place (sometimes from entertainment channels) and a few special interviews laboured for the particular episode. The show lacks the maturity and presentation that a viewer expects from a show of such kind.

The videos, mostly sourced from Youtube are of poor quality. The show also falls short in research and seems to be a hashed attempt to put together a show on cinema.

So who does Headlines Today lose out to?

It was Times Now that launched the format of biographies of imminent film personalities. A first of its kind formats on Indian news television, Total Recall on Times Now began as an occasional ‘special’, the first of which was an episode on News Television in India! The story of how news television was born with Doordarshan, the era of news magazines, how satellite television changed the game for news and the current news scenario of 24*7 news coverage – the first episode was a trip down memory lane that worked as a format. From thereon, the channel tested the grounds with a few other specials on RD Burman, Guru Dutt, SD Burman, actresses of the 50’s, 60’s and thereafter. There was an audience, and the format clicked. After that cinematic biographies came became a weekly and Total Recall became a permanent show.

From noted actors, directors, producers, singers, musicians and lyricists, the format every now and then veers towards themes such as villains, Common Man’s Cinema, Horror in Hindi Cinema, or Comic Legends in Cinema. In the case of a person, the format as such takes the viewer through the journey of the person, from his birth, to his first step in Bombay, his early works, struggling years. The story takes the viewer through the quintessential ‘big break’, the laurels, the trophies and the journey thereon. What An Affair to Remember lacks, Total Recall makes up for it. So besides the song and dance, a healthy mix of dialogues and scenes make up the story line. The show also boasts of a healthy mix of talking heads that usually has the person (whose biography is being made), his family, peers he has worked with and film critics. With minimal scripting that only acts as a lead on, much of the narration is done through the sound bites and film clips used. Total Recall, being the pioneer in this format has a clear edge.

Who scores better than Times Now?

The other show that is formatted on the same premise but seeks to break away from the original is CNN IBN’s Bollywood Blockbusters. Conceptually, it’s the same as Total Recall, but instead of devoting one hour of precious programming on a person’s entire body of work, Bollywood Blockbusters, as the name denotes devotes 20 minutes on a particular piece of work. An episode celebrating 100 years of cinema paid special emphasis on Raj Kapoor’s Awaara took the audiences through the journey of the young Raj Kapoor as he turned director and producer at the young age of 25. From interviews with his son Rishi and Randhir Kapoor, to his nephew Kunal Kapoor and his very old production controller of the film, the talking heads took the viewers through the making of the film and the passion that drove Raj Kapoor the film maker. Bollywood Blockbusters also from time to time veers towards the traditional Total Recall format in which they profile a film personality. They even got a reluctant Late Rajesh Khanna to give them an interview.

Bollywood Blockbusters scores over Total Recall in terms of its research, archives and sometimes even for its access to film personalities. It’s packaging and overall look of the show is grander than Total Recall and just for it, it is a visual treat. However, unlike Times Now that has a regular show, Bollywood Blockbusters remains to be a special series on the channel. So scan your TV listing and if you spot it airing this weekend, set iAlert!

Let us know your feedback and comments and stay updated with iDubba for more such reviews of your favourite shows!

Jaspal Bhatti, the common man with uncommon humour dies in a car accident!

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“Rote hue aate hain sab…. Hasta Hua Jo Jayega… Woh Mukadar Ka Sikander Jaaneman Kahalaaega”

Today we bid our adieu to one such Mukadar Ka Sikander - Famous comedian, actor and satirist Jaspal Bhatti, not just that he was a Legend in his own sense…a Common Man with an Uncommon Humour, perhaps one of the most famous Sikh comedians.

The Actor died in a road accident near Punjab’s Nakodar town, 40 km from here, early Thursday. Bhatti’s car collided with a tree along the highway while he was on his way to Jalandhar for the promotion of his latest film “Power Cut“. Police said that the accident happened around 3 a.m. while Bhatti was on his way to Jalandhar from Bathinda. Bhatti, 57, was rushed to a hospital in Jalandhar after the accident where doctors declared him dead.

His son, Jasraj, was also injured in the accident along with the film’s heroine Surili Gautam and another person. They were being treated in a hospital in Jalandhar, 150 km from state capital Chandigarh.

POWER CUT:

Bhatti’s latest film “Power Cut“, which he had produced and directed, was to be released this Friday. The film was to launch his son, Jasraj.

He was on a 40-day tour for the promotion of his latest film. The tour was to end Thursday with a media conference in Jalandhar. Apparently the 40th day did not only end his tour but his journey of life.

It could only be called coincidence that just a Day before the release of his next film that can be his sons much awaited debut that a father would be missing from this proud moment and instead of celebrating the family will be drowned in remorse and shock of Bhatti’s sudden demise.

Bhatti’s Life Journey:

Like I said… he was a common man with uncommon humour and that became his meal ticket. It all started with Nonsense Club, his street play venture in college. Most of these plays were spoofs ridiculing corruption in society. Before venturing into television, he was a cartoonist for the The Tribune newspaper in Chandigarh.

In the 1990s, he pioneered the home-made comedy Flop Show on Indian Hindi TV channel Doordarshan!

THE FLOP SHOW:

A Low Budget venture that had him and his wife in various avatars of a middle class couple, although it was just a 10 episode series but the heart it won increased exponentially over the years. Following the same was Ulta Pulta, What attracted audience to his shows was his gift of inducing humour to highlight everyday issues of the middle class in India.

MAHAUL THEEK HAI:

Mahaul Theek Hai (1999) was his first directorial venture for a full-length feature film in his native Punjabi language. A Satire on Punjab Police, it was well received amongst audience for its simple and honest humour.

Over the years he has tickled the audiences with his roles and stints on various political and regular troubles.

WISE WORDS:

India’s leading media critic Amita Malik says of him:

“Bhatti has the correct style for TV, an understated, quiet humour which sinks in without shouting, and which mercilessly exposes both corruption in our everyday life and the typical people, who thrive on it. The grim fact and the hard truths of our society so bitter otherwise are made so funny through the adept handling of Bhatti, that cleansing laughter is created out of common malpractices.”

Twitter RIP:

  • MoviesOKIndia ‏

#Jaspal Bhatti..Though he didn’t star much in Hindi movies, his TV show ‘Flop Show’ will be etched in our minds forvever..RIP Bhattiji

  • Anupam Kher ‏

I used to tell Jaspal Bhatti that he does fantastic comedy so seriously. He was also a great supporter of anti corruption campaign. RIP

  • Jay Hind! ‏

RIP Jaspal Bhatti. First to lampoon corruption via comedy. THAT TOO ON GOVT OWNED DOORDARSHAN. aaj sabkuchh ULTA-PULTA ho gaya.

  • CNN-IBN News 

Goodbye, Jaspal Bhatti: India’s poker faced satirist, beloved common man

  • dia mirza ‏@deespeak

Goodbye, Jaspal Bhatti. So few can be satirical, topical, intelligent and yet roaringly popular. RIP.”

  • Narendra Modi ‏

Jaspal Bhatti’s demise is unfortunate. He filled our lives with much needed humour. My condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace

  • RITEISH DESHMUKH ‏

RIP JASPAL BHATTI- one of the first ppl to entertain audience with his political satires. Condolences to the family- a big n untimely loss.

NO TEAR:

He was my favourite too…I can still remember scenes from his flop show, Ulta Pulta that has made me laugh so hard that I had tears in my eyes and I am sure there would be a lot my audiences that will consent to this.

So let us just close our eyes for a minute or two and tell him that we might and actually no one might continue his legacy of effortless comic taunts, but yes we would remember him as an entertainer, an enlighter and shed NO TEAR.

This will be one the best Goodbye that we could give him, maintaining his efforts of making us smile. So smile on and shed No Tear. 

Zee TV to celebrate its successful 20 years with Music, Dance & a lot more!

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We have informed you that Zee TV is completing gloriuos 20 years of its running and entertaining you in our last post: “Zee TV to complete 20 Years of non-stop entertainment on 1st October!“ No one can deny that it was one of the reasons that people shifted to cable tv from Doordarshan as it was India’s first satellite TV channel.

Zee TV has been an experementalist and initiator in many fields and this time it has initiated a unique way of celebration. Of course the television channel wants to give back all the love it has got from its audience and it is doing so in superb style.

Music, dance and a lot more – that’s how Zee TV plans to celebrate its successful 20-year journey. The channel will host “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa LIVE” – a series of live concerts and entertainment nights across 10 cities, starting Friday 27th September.

Starting in Pune, the live shows will also enthral fans in Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Dehradun, Bhopal, Aurangabad, Kanpur and Lucknow on different dates.

Zee TV, started by Subhash Chandra in 1992, turns 20 on Oct 2 and as a gesture of gratitude towards viewers for their loyalty and support, the channel has decided to organize entertainment extravaganza featuring memorable singers from its longest-running singing reality show “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa” and dancing sensation from its flagship dance reality show “Dance India Dance“.

Over the years, both the shows have made stars out of the country’s common man and so, holding concerts is a befitting way to connect the viewers and artists. In two decades, Zee TV is beaming its programs in 168 countries and is accessible to more than 650 million viewers globally.

Well the viewers at home don’t have to be disheartened if you can’t attend the concert because you all are in for a treat as the channel has lined up an extra-special entertainment program just to commemorate the occasion.

The 3-hour birthday bonanza to air at 8:00 pm ET & 9:30 pm PT on 2nd October on ZEE TV will raise a toast to the illustrious journey of the channel right from its inception to the present day. The evening will see some of the most memorable faces of ZEE TV take to the stage ‘Punar Vivaah’ actor Gurmeet Chaudhary will play the hospitable host as he welcomes everyone to what will be showcased as his character Yash’s grand birthday party.

The romantics in the audience need not be disappointed- ZEE TV’s most adored couples will dance up a storm, what with Dev-Radhika (Avinash Sachdev & Rubina Dilaik) of ‘Choti Bahu’, Shankar-Gayatri (Iqbal Khan & Shilpa Shinde) of ‘Waaris’ and Nahar-Saloni (Rajashree Thakur & Sharad Kelkar) of ‘Saat Phere’ pitted against the younger lovebirds Purvi-Arjun (Asha Negi-Rithvik Dhanjani) of ‘Pavitra Rishta’, Mayank-Gunjan (Roopal Tyagi & Ankit Gera) of ‘Sapne Suhaane Ladakpan Ke’ and Ranveer-Jazz (Ashish Sharma & Sukirti Kandpal) of ‘Rab Se Sohna Isshq’ in a dance challenge. 

Dance India Dance mentors Geeta Kapur and Terrence Lewis will also be a part of the dance-a-thon that also features popular DID contestants. The channel’s eternal lovebirds Manav-Archana (Hiten Tejwani and Ankita Lokhande) are also a part of an act that salutes our viewers and thanks them for their love and support through the years.

Tune in at 8:00 pm ET & 9:30 pm PT on 2nd bon ZEE TV!

Get ready to join the festive atmosphere as your favourite stars of Zee TV gets together on one platform to thank you and entertain you once again

Till the Keep Watching, Keep Enjoying and Keep Reading. :)