On the occasion of Parsi New Year, IBN-Lokmat had a special guest in their exclusive programme during prime time. Boman Irani, who played a Marathi character of Prof. Sahasrabuddhe in Bollywood film ‘3 Idiots’, was more than happy to share his experience of playing those different characters in films. What was more appreciating was that he spoke in Marathi. Being a typical Parsi gentleman from Mumbai, he respected the Marathi culture where he has lived all these years. Boman, however, expressed concern over his diminishing Parsi population. “Yes, I feel sad about it. May be after few more years, it will still come down,” he said.
While commenting on a question, whether he would be interested in doing a Marathi film, the prolific actor, said that he had already received an offer and will be seriously considering such proposals, if he was convinced with the role. IBN-Lokmat, in their Great Bhet programme had invited another creative actor - Nana Patekar, who with his straight forward views also impressed the viewers. Expressing his individual opinion on the recent controversy over Marathi films and Multiplexes, he said that the Multiplexes in Maharashtra were not observing the existing rule about screening Marathi films. “There is nothing wrong in what Mr. Raj Thackeray has stated. Some people only blow up the issue on what he said in the end, but ignore the substance of his speech,” he added.
While Zee 24 Taas exposed the Sand Mafias in the state in various sting operations, IBN-Lokmat was also prompt enough to raise the issue of Lavasa development, where it has been alleged that the Multi crore project has grabbed the lands of poor farmers. The channel not only focused on the agitation by farmers, but also went on to show the irregularities of the project. Social activist Medha Patkar, who has stood behind the poor farmers, whose lands have been acquired; spoke to the channel stating that the project was only to fulfill the week- end desires of all those Mumbai big wigs, by exploiting the original farmers. “They are just destroying their fields and environment,” she said.
In the entertainment section, instead of offering quality entertainment, those programmes which pose as entertainers, are now days offering outdated themes and above all the regular serials are becoming more and more boring & melodramatic. The latest happening in Ektaa Kapoor’s Marathi serial using Lemon and Green chillies black magic by the Grandmother against her would- be Granddaughter-in law, speaks everything about orthodox thinking in a well to do family, brought into the screenplay.
At a time when women are making progress with advancement in every sector, our serial makers are still showing them suffer, due to harassment from so called near and dear ones. Most of the serials have one such character carrying out unethical practices and unfortunately such characters are only glorified in all such serials. There are many unconvincing acts in the screenplays, which will only bring down the viewer-ship of such serials in days to come. Will forthcoming ‘Zhunj’ on Star Pravah, prove to be different ?
by Ulhas Shirke © MMW
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