Green White and TV
thoughts on the tv-realityArchive for International or National
IIFA Awards 2009 on Geo TV
This year’s IIFA awards show could have been easily called Bachan-palooza. From the red carpet interviews to the actual s how itself–the cameras inevitably showed on or another member of the Bachan clan. The awards broke with tradition to introduce a new series of accolades-the “Actor” “Music Director” “Film” of the Decade award.
The first to receive one of these special IIFA’s was Aishwarya Rai-Bachan. While there is no denying her impact on Bollywood, Ash has been visibly absent from the recent stream of movies. Save for the once-in-every-five-years Ashutosh Gowariker movie–in this case ‘Jodha Akbar’- Aishwarya has had no great commercial hits at the box office in recent years.
'Its mine?! Its mine!!'
Then there was Big B’s offspring, Abhishek Bachan, who was getting over emotional and teary-eyed over receiving an award for his comedic performance in ‘Dostana’. While it IS in honor, it is not like Abhishek won an Oscar. Had he won an Oscar–or at least an award for the Male Lead in a motion picture-we could have tolerated the blubbering, and the trip down memory lane to his dreams & childhood aspirations.
Performing to Genda Phool song
What tops its all was Abhishek Bachan’s-well frankly I don’t know what to call it. He kind of jiggle-waddled from the middle of the audience to the stage in super bright kurta–that too to the song ‘Genda Phool’ from ‘Delhi-6′ movie. It was funny…but mostly it seemed desperate.
It is quite evident that the younger Bachan is clearly more in his element doing comedy then being forced to act as a stereotypical hero. He should chart out his path independent of his clan’s expectations–we are in need of a good comic–think Robin Williams or Will Smith!
Dancing at the Grand Finale
Then there was the grand finale–with Ash riding in a doli–much like her movie ‘Jodha Akbar’. Okay okay, we get it–you princess–but please don’t bore us! The song and dance number seemed more like a fast forward viewing of her glory days–establishing Aishwarya as a ‘has-been’ top actress–rather then ‘still-is’.
(Look out for more in Part Two–Anushka Sharma, Sonam Kapoor, and the missing Khans)
One Track News Media…
Its been three hours or more since we are watching the same footage, and similar kind of reporting from all our National TV Channels.It is a big News for sure that the Sri Lankan team was attacked in broad daylight in Lahore.It is shocking and is raising questions in everyones mind…
However at times our media becomes so impulsive, and rather reflexive.Nothing comes out of it–other than the same repeated transmission from all eight or more channels.One big news gets their attention and then they go all day with stale News and” live” header. Actual feeling is that our TV media is still very raw , it has enthusiasm of a young mind , but it needs experience and maturity–which will come with time.
Meanwhile they should practice caution and keep the balance… and not be driven by one thing to another ,without reporting updates to older news, or keeping any live transmission on constantly.
Running crawlers(ticker) for any big News, It is sad but true that it is a routine thing that we hear about explosions or attacks in Pakistan, but keeping the same footage , or crawlers up without time and date does affect our state of mind.
Our popular TV media should practice more caution in that regard.
The ‘female’ Truman show
I really pity Truman. He constantly feels like he is being watched, and is effectively stuck in a cage. Oh you don’t know Truman? I am talking about Jim Carrey’s character in ‘The Truman Show‘ movie.
He was robbed of not only his freedom, but of love, family, memories, and experiences. All of those were manufactured and orchestrated by a large conglomerate to run the reality slash soap-opera. The thought of a person losing their privacy, and their ability to live life as a genuine human being is disturbing. What is even more unsettling is that we have ‘Trumans’ around us and on TV in real-life.
Take for example, Jade Goody, a British twenty something female who shot to fame when she dissed Big Brother winner Shilpa Shetty in 2007. She was diagnosed with Cervical cancer and is now selling rites to her wedding. Jade intends the money to go towards supporting her two kids, as doctors have told her she has just months to live.
The 27-year-old, who rose to fame through Channel 4′s Big Brother, was diagnosed with cervical cancer in August. Last week she was told the disease had spread to her bowel, liver and groin. She is being treated at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, London.
It has been reported that Goody plans to hold a “traditional” wedding ceremony unless she becomes too weak to leave hospital. Asked if she would sell the picture rights, Clifford said: “I assume so. I’m going to try to make as much money for her as I possibly can in the coming weeks for the sake of the children.”
No NEWS …..is really a good news!
Our new found abundance of news channels is making us more aware of our surrounding than ever before.
As we are getting satisfaction that , first time after sixty years important people are being questioned on live TV. Even when we know at the end they will make all investigations and questions go hush hush , it still gives a commoner some sense of control.
At the same time too many News Channels are kind of over emphasising every thing, and making a NEWS when there is not any.
Lets try to be more creative , ” makhi per makhi marna ” is not good idea in a long run.
Try more productive side of media about problem solving not only talking about it.
In a country like ours having a platform is a big opportunity, but at the same time it is a bigger responsibility as well.
