LIVING WITH THE STARS

In this long Eid and Puja vacation, the TV channels had a long array of programmes stretching an entire week. Star Showbiz has taken this opportunity to look into what the TV and theatres had in store for us this time around. I was severely disappointed with the overall state of the programmes and films that were made exclusively to entertain us and to fill the holidays with more joy. Not very long ago, our artists and professionals staged a protest in press club whining about our audiences not watching local TV shows. As much as I'd like to sympathize with them, I just don't feel confident that the situation will get any better if our programmes remain of this quality. We have too many channels and we need too many shows to fill the chunks. But that cannot be an excuse to deprive us of decent quality shows even in the most festive of days. There was a good effort by some sponsors to have commercial break free dramas. There were also some well made programs that were worth noticing. However, in the midst of below average grade dramas, never-ending advertisements and hourly news breaks, these good shows slip our attention and are deprived of the appreciation that they truly deserve. If the TV channels in any other country can make do without such lengthy advertisement disruptions, we can too. We need new rules and regulations to make our TV programmes watchable. Instead of having 50 mediocre dramas, we can put our joint efforts into making 5 good ones. This Eid, one thing the cinema audience were looking forward to was the mainstream film debut of Jaya Ahsan. It was a good effort and we can be hopeful in reviving our theatre going culture if more talented makers and actors make film a little differently. The Daily Star is supporting this revival by opening a Film Club and of course by highlighting the notable works in this supplement, Star Showbiz. In that hopeful note, I would wish that this Eid more people will hit the cinemas. Eid Mubarak to all!