A new star is born

VIJAY TV has been taken over by Star and consequently the viewers are promised an endless list of colourful serials with participating lead personalities from all-time favourite Revathy Menon to erstwhile demi-goddess of the silver screen — Kushbhoo. The entertainment world is highly competitive and hence, the revamping from October 1 has seen several serials halfway through being taken off the air. When a new serial is introduced, the responsibility is all the more greater for its makers since it has to surpass the show already on.With this in mind and amid great expectations I viewed the prime time 8.30 p.m. slot filled in by Revathy and Suresh Menon's Telephoto Entertainments production "Kathai Kathaiyaam Karanamaam". Their four-day week telecasts one short story a week revolving round a central lead character who is a woman, played by an artiste of star value.

The inaugural offering starred Shobana with a heart-warming story by Vaasanthi that captivated our interest by its sheer simplicity. Instead of a four-part package, a three day slot would have made it more short and crisp and fetched it an extra rating. The opening was refreshing. As Shobana addresses the letter to her father, we are shown her face, followed by a picture of the house and the place. Venkey's direction could take credit at several places.

Neelkanth, a busy business executive, finds the beautiful bride he is in search of in Shobana, who is rural-bred. The latter's father is a Gandhian and has donated everything except his house that houses him. The marriage takes place and the offspring born to them, played naturally and cutely by Master Sidhartha takes after his distaff side and loves the countryside. In the course of a holiday there, romping in the meadows and open countryside, he develops a temperature and succumbs. The mother, Shobana is heartbroken and torn between the loss of her son and the subtle nagging of her mother-in-law, Sachu and husband. At breaking point she walks out on them deciding to not only deliver her second child that she is carrying but also nurture him in the rural environment.

Acting-wise all fitted the bill with Shobana looking every inch the languishing mother with pain in her eyes and fatigue in her person.

The message that you should not marry above your status was loud and clear too.

As one viewed Shobana and her family's love for the countryside I could bear Byron's words -

``There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,

There is rapture on the lonely shore,

There is society where none intrudes, By the deep sea, and music in its roar;

I love not Man the less, but Nature more, From these our interviews."

The second week saw the story in an urban setting titled DNA by Sujatha. Commencing as a thriller-type it ended as a story giving predominance to warm human relationships. The producer Revathy starred in it playing the role of a poverty-stricken slum- dweller. She is inconsolable to learn that her fourth child died during childbirth in Dr. Meganathan's hospital. Suspecting foul play she relates her tale of woe to a reporter who takes up the crusade enlisting other friends help en route. Investigation reveals all details and they are to file a case in the court. When matching the DNA the latter is known to hand the child back to the mother. It is learnt that the child was given to a childless couple for adoption. Revathy has a glimpse at the child and is thrilled beyond measure that her progeny is flooded with gifts and a surfeit of love and attention. Not wishng to curtail her child's right royal upbringing she makes the supreme sacrifice of not disclosing its parenthood. Revathy gave a convincing portrayal being a sensitive artiste and was ably supported by Major Sunderrajan, Devadarshini and others.

From these two short stories it is easy to garner that a strong storyline coupled with an artiste of star value and deft handling by the director are what make for a successful TV serial. Markwise Revathy Menon as an artiste is always comes out tops only to be followed by Revathy as a producer and director.

This serial is one of the good things that has happened to Vijay TV now.

THARA MOHAN RAO

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