For the past few days, only one news that dominates on all Marathi news channels has been that of involvement of highest level of corruption in organization of forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Delhi. After the news of corruption broke out in an English newspaper, the Marathi TV channels took up the issue seriously and highlighted the level of corruption and people involved in it. There were debates and talk shows on different channels calling for resignations of those connected with corrupt practices. After all, it was public money being spent lavishly.

On 5th August 2010, one of the news channels went to the extent of debating and calling for viewer’s reaction on whether the high profile politician and head of the Commonwealth Games Organising committee should resign and there was a huge response in favour of his resignation. Why only punish the lieutenants, why can’t the Commander in chief take the blame and resign, was also the common voice of those experts who were invited as guests to speak on this occasion.

The revelations that were made by the news channels were shocking, as one never expected that our own country’s organizers comprising of so called white collar people, would be involved in eating away our Government’s own money in this manner. The news channels brought to the notice of viewers how the money was being spent over several ‘overlays’- movable fixtures and fittings at the Games venue. The hiring cost was shown more than the purchase cost. And, that surprised everyone.

Now, coming to entertainment, almost all the channels covered the news of ‘50 years of Mughal-e-Azam’ film. It was on 5th August, 50 years ago, this historic film was released in newly built Maratha Mandir Theatre in Mumbai. Zee 24 Taas held a special programme on this occasion, inviting many veterans to speak and among them was Marathi and Bollywood film actor Ramesh Deo, who stated that he had to acquire his ticket paying extra cost. “ I remember having paid Rs. 15/- for Rs.3.50p ticket those days. But, after watching the film, felt that it was worth Rs.1500/- per ticket.” Nishigandha Wad and Vaishali Samant also appreciated the wonderful and amazing creation of this film.

However, Star Majha channel had a different way of presentation on this occasion. They broke the news about the secret behind picturisation of the popular song ‘Pyar kiya To darna Kya’from this historical film. A veteran from Bollywood Mr. B.R. Khedkar who worked as a designer of the sets of this film, was invited to reveal what was not known to many viewers. Mr. Khedkar who was an expert in making artificial masks, was asked to prepare a mask of Madhubala at that time and the same was used by a male dancer in the long shots of this famous song sequence. “So, the dancer you witnessed moving in circles quickly in the climax of the song was not Madhubala, but her dummy,” revealed Mr. Khedkar.

We are all aware that every Marathi channel presents the programme on Kitchen recipes. Some of them have popular stars as their hosts, like Prashant Damle, Rani Gunaji and Kavita Lad-Medhekar. But, E-TV invited a special celebrity guest to cook their favourite dishes in one of their ‘Khadyabhrmanti’programmes. She was popular singer and actress Pinaz Masani who showed to the viewers the easy way of preparing a dry mutton recipe . But, what was the welcome gesture was her ability to explain everything in Marathi, while she cooked the dish. She also sang few lines of a Marathi song ‘Ye Re Ghana, Ye Re Ghana’ in her melodious voice. This programme which also takes you to popular eating outlets in Maharashtra, is brought to you at 6.30 pm from Monday to Friday on this channel , with repeat telecast the following day at 3 pm.

by Ulhas Shirke © MMW