This week, IBN-Lokmat presented Bharat Dabholkar in their popular programme- ‘The Great Bhet’ . This bhet with Bharat was indeed inspiring, as the ad man and actor spoke very frankly expressing his views on being a proud Maharashtrian. But, what was more appealing was his fitness. When he openly admitted that he has kept himself away from smoking and drinking, that surprised the viewers. Another surprise came in , when he said that he spent at least one hour daily doing exercises. Isn’t that a big secret of his fitness and the energy that he gets in his demanding profession.

While presenting a news on the film ‘Khatta Meetha’ , Star Majha used a different method, to make the news more interesting. They literally brought the real life Tichkule family in the programme. Incidentally, Tichkule is the surname of Akhsay Kumar’s character in the film ‘Khatta Meetha’. In the real life, this Tichkule family lived in the neighborhood of Akshay Kumar and they narrated their memories with Akshay as a good old friend and neighbour. “ He was full of fun and enjoyed eating Maharashtrian dishes” said one of them. “Akshay still continues with the relationship and always speaks in Marathi, whenever he meets us,” said the other family member. News could be anything, as long as it is of public interest. And, this one is the best example.

Some people may say, What’s so important, if two underworld men fight with each other in the Arthur Road jail. But, that prompted the Minister of State for Home-Mr. Bagwe to visit the place and also inspect their special cells. When he noticed that five star facilities are being offered to one of the dons, he spoke about it to a media person and then, it became a breaking News! After a debate, now, we find something more coming out of it.

At a time when there is hardly any place left in the heart of the city, we see some news pouring in about the proposed sell of Dockyard land and shifting the dock elsewhere, after the chlorine leak. But, the opposition was quick enough to react on the reports from media and now the authorities have denied any such move. However, in another deal, the Dy.CM defended his government’s decision on redevelopment of the 100Acre Bandra Housing colony at Bandra(East), when the news about the same was brought to the notice of people through Marathi news channels.

Star Majha in their programme ‘Pragati Pustak’under Dhantedhan, presented a report on the progress made by Marathi films during the half year ended June2010. They named the Best five Marathi films that included ‘Natarang’, ‘Harischandrachi factory’, ‘Jhing Chik Jhing’, ‘Lalbaug Parel’ and ‘Ringa Ringa’. They appreciated the music of Ajay and Atul and also valued the work of Cinematographer Sanjay Jadhav for his creativity. Films like ‘Ranbhool’ and ‘Mumbai –Pune-Mumbai’ were praised for being different.

Awareness about spread of Malaria was created by most of the news channels, since the fever has spread in city of Mumbai. At the same time, they kept close watch on the flodds situation in the Konkan belt, where heavy rains disrupted even the road transport. The channels are already covering the damage caused to the Konkan railway tracks. Last but not the least, Sachin’s double century was welcomed by all channels showering praise on the Master Blaster.

by Ulhas Shirke © MMW