'Chitti' will take a bow

JUST WHEN we thought this mega serial is going on forever and a little more, Chitti has decided when its last scene will be on air. No mean achievement though, having run for 400 odd days and losing no viewers in between. In fact, bringing in more viewers, dedicated as they come.

Adequate reason for celebration indeed. So it was time to acknowledge the good work of the team that has come to define the term `mega serial' over the two years in which they have worked together. In style at the Hotel Le Meridien, last Saturday. Yes, end of week, so as not to disturb team work, Chitti Radhika said. And she must be right. Or why would 9-30 p.m. become a ritual. 9- 30-10 p.m. every week night for two years.

`Chitthappa', Sarath Kumar probably said it all when he quoted from a conversation he had had with lyricist Vairamuthu: ``On the night there was the earthquake in Chennai, people rushed out. But when it was 9-30 p.m., time for Chitti time, they went in.'' It could well have been true. In terms of fan following for a tele- soap, Chitti has probably created records, in the league of Buniyaad and Hum Log, those serials of yesteryear that still live on in the minds of viewers. Chitti, though, unlike Buniyaad or Hum Log, had to battle it out constantly with a multitude of other channels, rival or otherwise. And it is from this battle that Chitti has emerged, not only unscathed, but rather victorious, gathering dedicated band of followers.

``Chitthi means victory,'' former Chief Minister Mr. M. Karunanidhi said. The guest of honour that evening, who had come to honour his `daughter' Radhika and her team. Though, the term `Chitti' as step mother, had a rather negative connotation, this serial had purged the word of its unpleasant associations and had, in fact conferred new meaning, he said. ``If I missed watching any particular episode of Chitti, I used to find out from my family later,'' he said, taking the audience by surprise. And if there were any in the audience who doubted his words, his next words left them in doubt as to his sincerity. He appreciated a scene from the serial, starring two characters, Yuvarani and Vatsala Rajagopal and complimented the director for his `touch'. Kudos to C.J. Bhasker.

Mr. Karunanidhi, was not the only one, though to appreciate Bhasker, the director. Those on stage and off had a good word for him: director Barathiraja, who launched the actress Radhika, lyricist Vairamuthu, Sun TV's Kalanidhi Maran. Cheers went up for the director often, with the cast, crew and guests of the function complimented him for steering the team along successfully, this far.

Comperes of the evening's grand function, Vijay Adhiraj and Neena, two important characters in the serial, did a great job keeping the show flowing without a hitch. It was indeed quite a task, considering the number of people out there, who had turned up to raise a toast to Chitti that evening. As for the cast, they were there led by Radhika and Sivakumar to acknowledge the support of all those who had been part of the massive effort. Every member, from the driver to the maid, got a neat little statuette mounted on wood and a plaque.

And no. They are not telling what the ending is going to be like. No surreptitious peeps into the future. However, last show of Chitti is going to be on Saturday, not on Friday, a three-hour show, which includes a live interaction with all the crew, followed by the final episode of Chitti.`A poetic ending', the team promises. Watch it to find out, they say. If we have been watching for two years, wouldn't we, for three hours?

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And then, Kaveri

For all those who are wondering what they are going to do in the 9-30 pm to 10 p.m. slot after 10th, there is Kaveri, following Chitti. It comes from the house of Radaan once again.

This one, as the ads show, is set in Mumbai, tracing the problems faced by a young Tamilian girl in the big bad city. And in case you are going to dismiss it as yet another family drama, watch out. The producers say this story is woven around the seamy underbelly of Bombay - its goons, dadas, extortionists, runaways and a life lived in fear and hiding.

`Roja' star Madhubala plays the lead role in this drama, paired opposite Shyam Ganesh. Her co-stars include Chethan, Haranath, Kathamani, Indra Iyer, Meera Vasudevan, Chandrika, Robin, Meera, Bala and Babu. Shooting for the serial has already started under the supervision of Radhika, industry buzz says.Kaveri hits small screen on November 12th. Same time. Same channel.

By Ramya Kannan

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