Andhra Pradesh

Channel wars heat up screen Out of the box

Producers use special effects to retain viewers.

Touch any producer churning out content for Telugu television and the oft heard complaint is about constraints on budget made available.

Is that what ends up compromising the quality of the programmes that make rounds on different channels?

A good budget does make a difference but creative output can be generated without having to spend lavishly is what some of the serials that went high on the popularity charts proved. From ‘Ruthu Ragalu’ to ‘Siri’, there have been quite a few that came with a neat plot, good talent and were handled deftly.

At the same time, some programmes and concepts that came with heavy investments just failed to click leaving behind a bitter taste for both audience and channels.

The recent times however are witness to some big budgets going into content generation. The channel wars has come as a boon for producers who are keen on glittering sets, eye-catching props and big names to captivate the audience. The trend gained momentum with both stars of yesteryears and also the happening ones of the silver screen deciding to appear on the idiot box.

From Radhika, Suhasini to Anushka and others are there to offer some real entertainment and the viewers simply seem to love it.

Even technically, the content appears to be gaining a new edge what with special effects and other initiatives to enrich the visual impact playing an important role. Recent programmes had ‘Maayavi’ as one such example while ‘Re la re’ sizzled with rich backdrops and good camera.

T. LALITH SINGH

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu