All myriad hues of Zindagi

THIS one is a treat for the serious viewer. With a formidable star cast of Sharmila Tagore — first TV appearance — Urmila Matondkar, Supriya Pathak, Sadashiv Amrapurkar, Zindagi on Star Plus Saturdays at 8 p.m. has the dice loaded in its favour.

The story written by celebrated writer Pritam revolves around Kamal (Supriya Pathak), who is traumatised by the fact that her father illtreats her mother. After her mother’s death, her life takes a new turn. She leaves her home, the sad memories and her dark past to move into the future.

Zindagi is a story envisaging life in all its complexities, brought alive by its galaxy of stars. Sharmila Tagore plays the warden who helps Kamal cope with her new life.

Directed by Ved Rahi, Zindagi is a must-see at least for those doubting Thomases who feel that television dishes out sub-standard stuff. This one will dispel all such notions.

Another bubbly soap

If you thought you had your fill of soaps, here’s another bubbly one from Zee. Aangan starting every Thursday from October 21, like most other long running serials of the genre is about a joint family with all its emotions, intrigues and traditional values.

It’s about the Deewan family, whose patriarch wants all his four sons and their respective wives to come and stay in a joint family. The sons, though very fond of each other, don’t want to stay under one roof as they feel it would lead to tensions and avoidable feuds.

But the old man’s wish prevails and the whole family moves into his sprawling farm house. Whether they stay happily afterwards or not is what the serial is all about.

A familiar story but what the soap can rightfully boast of is a line up of TV superstars like Neena Gupta, Priya Tendulkar, Rohini Hatthangadi, Arun Govil, Laxmikant Berde and Farha. The rest, as they say, is a sense of deja vu. But don’t wash your hands off this soap. It has many twists and tales.

Middle class blues

Though Anjan Srivastav may be crying himself hoarse for serious roles that "test the actor in me", he keeps getting comedies. And interestingly, he keeps accepting them.

His latest serial on Star Plus Chotti Si Baat, every Friday at 7.30 p.m. is an underplayed and mild comedy — which Srivastav specialises in — and has a blend of emotions and family values. It revolves around the family of Mr & Mrs Mathur (Anjan Srivastav and Himani Shivpuri) which is progressive in its outlook and keeps pace with modern values.

However, the couple is faced with apparent contradictions that happen when they try to balance culture with their children’s new world upbringing. Depression sets in when they realise that there’s a wide chasm which divides the two.

The serial takes a peek into the quaint and often funny middle class attitudes and the way they learn to adjust to them. Which makes Chotti Si Baat a mix of fun and emotions and explores a variety of situations with it’s warmth and simplicity. Good viewing on a laidback Friday evening.

Love all at ESPN

It was a casting coup of sorts when ESPN brought two of the most successful tennis stars — Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi — all the way to Delhi to confirm their participation in the Heineken Open Singapore 1999 starting October 10. The event has been organised by ESPN Star Sports and is being telecast live.

The much-celebrated Indian pair created history this year by becoming the first doubles to have qualified for the finals of all the Grand Slam events in a year.

Said Alexander Brown, Managing Director, ESPN Star Sport, "Paes and Bhupathi have a huge following throughout Asia because they are so exciting to watch. It is highly probable they will be named "Doubles Team of the Year" by the ATP Tour and "Doubles World Champions" by the International Tennis Federation.

The brilliant tandem will take their place alongside the likes of defending champion Marcelo Rios, former finalist and winner of 12 titles in Asia, Michael Chang and Mark Philippoussis. So don’t miss the live action as it promises to be week of world-class exciting tennis.

Oh! Peeya

A year ago when she landed in the glam world with big dreams Peeya wasn’t sure whether she’d be able to make a splash. All she had was a photogenic face and loads of determination. But the relative stranger then is a known face today thanks to her vibrating presence as VJ on Channel V.

As anchorperson for Tea With V and Style Police, Peeya has built up a long list of admirers and is extremely happy with the way her career is going. And she has a lot to thank former Channel V VJ Vinay Pathak for.

Peeya’s TV career began with Zee’s Hip Hip Hurray. It was there that she met Vinay who persuaded her to give VJing a fling.

"I got my portfolio done and before I know it I was shooting my mouth off for Channel V, " says the second year student of National College, Mumbai.

Her future plans? Modelling and dramatics. The first has money and the second has status," says Peeya without batting an eyelid. And what about a career as a VJ? "It’s great as long as it lasts. I’ve always enjoyed the company of young people." Perhaps "young people" as in males, considering the fact that Peeya is already high on the favourite list of Channel V’s male viewership!

— Mukesh Khosla