You never know which programme will invite the attention of the audience. On one side you find comedy and reality shows like 'Wow!' 'Aflatoon' and 'Fu Bai Fu' and on other side there are regular serials dealing with different issues. So, 'Olakh' 'Kashyala Udyachi Baat' 'Majhiya Priyala Preet kalena' and 'Lajja' will only force competition among themselves for becoming the most popular serial.

While there are many newcomers in other serials, 'Lajja' has a trump card in the form of Girija Oak portraying the central character of Manu, a young girl from Alibaug, who witnesses suicide of her close friend Dikshaa on her return from Mumbai in the very first episode. In the very next episode, we find the police investigation and arrival of one more character in the form of Neena Kulkarni. Will 'Lajja' hold the attention of viewers in days to come ? Let us wait and see. But, for those who love total entertainment, 'Fu Bai Fu' brings in the required humour through the participants comprising of new and experienced artistes.

On the news front, we have seen the best coming from Star Majha channel this time, who felicitated the navaratnas of Maharashtra through their 'Majha Sanmaan' puraskar. In fact, Star Majha who honoured these nine personalities from different fields on the 14th July 2010 evening at a Andheri based hotel; showed only part of the ceremony where Mumabi Police and Public prosecutor Ujwal Nikam were two of the nine recipients of the award at the hands of Amir Khan, who spoke in Marathi, to the surprise of everyone during this function. Music directors Ajay-Atul were also presented with the award for their achievement in the field of entertainment. World’s youngest business achiever Manoj Tirodkar was also one of the recipients of the award, but his mother received the same in his absence. Star Majha will have the special telecast of the entire award function on 18th July 2010, as there were many entertaining programmes presented on the occasion.

The Maharashtra – Karnataka border dispute seems to have taken the front seat in the news section on all channels pushing the price rise issue on the back seat once again. The ruling party was also more keen on supporting the opposition on digging other issues like James Laine's book on Shivaji and taking the all party delegation to Delhi over the Belgaum issue, only to divert the attention of all from the steep rise in commodity prices. But, the news channels were quick enough to expose the CM and other delegates for fooling the people of their state on the border issue.

by Ulhas Shirke © MMW