Aug 06, 2002 06:48 PM
4882 Views
(Updated Aug 11, 2002 09:06 PM)
No edge of the seat thrill, no melodramatic barrage of tears or even contrived mechanical laughter.But the bug of reality television that has clamped itself on the Indian viewer's attention.'Kahin na kahin koi hai' is a novel concept based on the popular romantic notion that there is someone out there for everyone.Every week it features an aspiring young person on a quest to find his or her soulmate with the aid of none other than the still ravishing Madhuri Dixit-Nene(who happens to be the host of the show).
Airing four days a week right from monday to thursday brings before you the person who aspires to find an ideal match,his or her family, likes, dislikes and every aspect you can fit in like 20 minutes of airplay.(now thats quite a task). The show premiered on the 29th of july. It featured a 25 year old Meenakshi Bagh who met with three candidates short listed by her family as possible matches over a period of three episodes. In the fourth she made her choice after taking her time and making sure she knew what she was doing.
My initial response after watching the first 4 episodes was bright. I mean I was really impressed by the grandeur of its sets, costumes, sequencing and the approach of the creators trying to capture the viewers by making it look as warm and human as possible.The people in it seem real enough and there doesn't seem to be too much coached dialogues to some extent.They do try their best to represent the very spirit of the urban middle class in India. But pretty much the one thing that kinda makes me grin is the fact that this time its more like a boy seeing ceremony, with three boys parading in front of a girl unlike the usual vice versa tradition( i've heard of boys especially those who work and live abroad making fleeting trips and their parents line up upto a football team of girls for them to pick and choose as they like)
But i'm pretty sure the only thing rakes in the ratings for the show is the fact that it is hosted and brought to life by the vivacious Madhuri. The years and the toils of marital life have done nothing to diminish her talent and her elegance.Her presence enhances the proceedings and makes the viewing experience special.Without her there wouldn't have been much of punch to the concept.
Therefore the concept seems new, its take is one tried for the first time and it has a host who literally steals the thunder. Only time will tell if this new idea can stand the test of airtime and keep its footing. Wonder what indian TV will have in store for us following in the footsteps of other international reality shows? Maybe Bollywood version of ' Fear Factor'. That should be a fine spectacle...like seeing some winsome starlet overcoming her fear of living in a collapsible slum-dwelling with a rat for company.There could be an idea for a nice song and dance routine minus the trees.
