TV WATCH
September 2011. Week 1
Candid Nana Patekar speaks through his heart |
 |
|
|
The first week of September was dominated by
'Bappa Moraya' news on Marathi TV
channels, with most of the channels opting for Marathi celebrities performing
pooja at their respective homes. We also witnessed many TV entertainment
channels, performing aartis of Ganapati Bappa or inviting attention of music
lovers with Ganapati songs in the reality shows. Many channels preferred to take
the viewers around Maharashtra to capture most of the popular mandals and their
Ganapati celebrations. We also witnessed the direct telecast of Lalbaug cha
Raja's aartis while some preferred to telecast the aartis at Dagdu Sheth Halwai
Ganapati, Pune.
But, the purpose for which Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak had initiated the
community Ganapati celebrations seems to have forgotten by many Ganesh Mandals
today. Now, more attention is being paid by our electronic channels on how much
of contributions in the form of cash and Gold ornaments have been collected by
end of the day. Most of the channels scrolled the news of the collections of a
famous Ganapati Mandal on a daily basis, for the information of the devotees. It
seems that most of the Ganesh Mandals are busy collecting donations rather than
offering community programmes in the form of cultural programmes, dramas and
debates; which used to be the scene at every Ganesh Mandal in Mumbai and Pune;
not many years ago.
Among all the programmes held during the ongoing festival and those which found
coverage on Marathi News channels, was the frank talk show of Popular actor Nana
Patekar. On Tuesday 6th September 2011, at Sathe College, Ville Parle. This show
was organised on the occasion of Ganapati celebrations and it was open to all.
MNS leader Shirish Parkar posed many questions to Nana Patekar and this
versatile actor was at his best, answering them with his frank opinion. IBN
Lokmat brought a live coverage of this show for sometime and later continued
with the remaining part after their prime time news. In fact, they covered this
programme during their regular show 'Aajcha Sawaal'. Perhaps, they thought that
the views expressed by the actor were more important than those expressed by
political leaders during such debates.
Nana seemed to be in good mood, as he answered the most difficult questions
posed to him, with his frank replies. When asked to deliver dialogues from his
popular hit dramas, he said that it was not the right platform to express his
emotions through those dialogues and he does not believe in doing so in absence
of proper setting and other co-actors. "Can you ask Sunil Gavaskar today to hit
a six at a public function?" he asked. He however admitted that he would be
directing two films in near future. One project was based on the autobiography
of Dr. Narendra Jadhav "Aamcha Baap Ana Mee' and 'Ab Tak Chappan Part 2' On one
tricky question posed to him on Political situation in Maharashtra, he only
wished that Shiv Sena and MNS come together, forgetting their internal
differences. "The family fights should remain within the four walls of the
house. You have no right to play with the sentiments of traditional voters," he
clearly hinted.
Nana was also skeptical about the present day auction of cricketers during the
popular cricket league. "It is most disgraceful act to the game of cricket," he
said, while expressing his views on today's cricket. When speaking on religions
in India, he said that there were only two religions existing in India today and
they were the most richest and the poor. There is no one to be called a dalit.
It is like those who earn a handful of money and those who have huge storage of
money. "How much does a person need for his living? We all owe something to the
society. But, not many are doing that. They are all involved in materialistic
living. Look at Anna Hazare. He is most respected innocent, non- corrupt man
with simple living, who has devoted his time for the service of people. He lives
in a small room behind a temple and has minimum needs. He complains about the
attitude of the Government like the way an innocent child complains about
trouble makers to his parents. I admire him for possessing these qualities of
selfless service," reacted Nana, while replying to a question.
"If Anna Hazare were to enter during this function, I am sure the audience would
not have clapped with their both hands but would have wished him with respect
with those folded hands together. Such is the respect commanded by him," he
concluded.
by Ulhas Shirke © MMW
|
|
|
|
