Shashi out, Mahi out, Rishta.com out and summer’s just starting!

Shashi is out of Indian Idol 5. Really sad! Especially considering a singer like Tia is still there.

Wonder on what basis people vote! That shouldn’t be too surprising really, one has to only look at our dear respected elected babus/behens.

Sadly for me, all the classiest Indian TV shows are now over. Mahi Way, Rishta.com and Seven have now ended. They all, of course belonged to YRF TV camp. My hearth felt congratulations to this TV network for producing shows with brilliant technicals, production values, and a logical storyline. For daring to consider its audience as an intelligent, modern audience rather than a dumb, ignorant and clueless audience.

Mahi does not run away from marrying one boy friend to simply fly into the waiting arms of the patient and more suitable second. She decides to not marry at all. Smartest thing a woman can do!

Seven I know has been criticised for being a copy of Heros running here in the US. However, the script writers completely Indianised it, and did a credible task of weaving facts of Emperor Ashok’s reign with fiction. And it was technically brilliant! Didn’t feel like a comedy show.

I liked the storyline and actors in Rishta.com. Although a little removed from reality (All the potential grooms were handsome and smart!), it had decent acting and was grounded in its approach.

It was sensible to end the shows with logical endings rather than stretch it beyond endurance. Congratulations for a job well done! Sorry the shows didn’t get as much support. It seems Mahi Way was the only one which garnered TRP. Indian audiences still love the stupid CID, Aahat and the like. YRF says some of these shows may come back in next season (similar to format followed by American TV show producers). Hope they all do.

How do I spend my summer now? Will have to stick to reruns of old British comedies..

Disclaimer: I only have Zee, Sony, TV Asia and ITV. So won’t know of other shows on other networks.

What a nice day...

Beautiful sunshine and bright blue waters...had a lung full of air out jogging with Aditi...Slept like a baby after that..

Some followups...

1. My dear Goldie (goldfish) is going great fins..or do i mean guns. He has grown big but still doesn't have a girlfriend. :( Dad's being strict about it :( Why do I keep calling him a 'he'? Ahh...to keep the battle of the sexes even.

2. Mahi Way is still going the right way. I do harbour a little fear in a corner that it might be a copy of Bridget Jones' Diary. If it is, it is still a very good copy. The story and dialogue writers are doing a good job. Heard it doesn't have good TRPs. A good series after a long time and no one in India wants to watch it.. Go figure.

3. No decent movie in recent times . :( Have gone back to my all time favourite Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie.

4. ZEE TV seems to be doing a better job in reality shows than Sony. 1 example: Indian Idol vs Sa re Ga Ma. No one knows where the Idol winners are these days. Other than Abhijit Sawant, everyone else has disappeared off the map. Sa re ga ma has launched careers of several leading singers like Sunidhi Chauhan. Therefore, the more serious candidates seem to make a bee line for Zee.

5. I stopped watching cricket when Kapil Dev was accused of match-fixing. I was therefore skeptical of IPL. I am beginning to come round though. IPL has in the very least destroyed the unshakable placement of 14 players. Due to number of regional teams and a fixed salary, a lot of people will get to play and not have to worry about rozi roti or endorsements. Me likes.

Mahi Way is the right way...

A new era in Indian television begins. Yash Raj television has put absolutely the best foot forward with its programs.

The production values are good, hip and for a change they have hired real writers. Seven, Rishta.com are some good, clean young and hep series.

The ace of the cake is Mahi Way. A 25 year old Punjabi girl with weight issues, deals with a size-zero obsessed world and the whirlpool of romance. Pushtiie S plays the main protaganist. She works in the fierce fashion mag world. And I admit I had thought YRF TV has copied and remixed themes from the 'Devil wears Prada' and 'Ugly Bety'/'Jassi Jaisi koi Nahi'. That may or may not have been the case.

This series is extremely well written and funny and you want to watch the next episode. It does not have unnecessary twists and definitely no bossom-heaving vamps. The characters are very realistic and shows the corporate jungle as it exists in India. The beauty, the flirt, the high-flier, the copy cats and the plotting dogs.

Best of all, for the first time, a series shows the real feelings of a person who is not glamourous even when wearing make-up. Even in her best clothes and 4 hours salon treatment, she really looks pretty much normal.

I am hooked to this one baby....Don't let me down YRF TV!!!