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Triumph of the mind over matter MASTERMIND India is going places. BBC World’s new series is being recorded in historical monuments. The first preliminary round was shot in Mumbai’s Victoria and Albert Museum. The second in Chennai’s Museum Theatre built by the British in 1896. The third preliminary round has been shot at the Cathedral Church of Redemption in Delhi. The almost forgotten church is one of the finest examples of British Indian architecture.
"The idea was to broadbase the scope of the show" says Siddharth Basu. Though it may not be competing for popularity with Basu’s other quiz production, Kaun Banega Crorepati, the appeal of Mastermind India is immense among intellectuals. It is a test of knowledge and nerve. One black chair, four competitors, four minutes of sustained interrogation. No frills, no gimmicks. Just one winner for the ultimate accolade — Mastermind. No lakhpatis. No crorepatis! |
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Here’s a show with a difference. Manthan on B4U, Tuesdays 8.30 p.m. has Neena Gupta playing the role of an agony aunt in this issue-based programme. The show deals with the more serious, darker side of life where subjects of extra-marital affairs, family discords, child abuse and incest are dealt with sensitively.
Whenever advice is needed, the show invites medical, legal or other experts. Produced by Anupam Kalidhar and directed by Shyam Maheshwar, Manthan, is a platform for solving problems with a new approach. The show once again highlights the sheer versatility of Neena Gupta who, besides producing and directing Saans and Pal chinn, is acting in half a dozen other serials apart from now playing anchor in Manthan. The lady surely is a bundle of energy. High on adventure Viewers — on your mark, get set and Go For It ! This show is a comprehensive guide for adventure-seekers. It combines outdoor pursuits with demonstrations of recommended diets, exercises, clothes and gear needed for outdoor sports.
In addition, the series takes you to expeditions around the world to find the optimum sporting locations for the best in international action adventures. Each episode is aimed at people who enjoy sports and want to get more out of them, as well as try new things. It helps them get started, showing them how to warm up, finding the best new gear and dressing right for the best performance. From jet-skiing to ice-climbing the programme incorporates many such death-defying stunts. Rotating segments featuring fantasy sports like playing golf with Jack Nicklaus and driving a Porsche up the Pacific Coast Highway in America add a new thrill to each episode. A must-see for all adventure seekers. Oscar fever The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Award of Merit is a 13 1/2-inch gold-plated, tin alloy statue of an undraped man known to billions around the world as "Oscar". Yet it has the power to transform ordinary mortals into glittering stars.
Dustin Hoffman, James Woods and Brenda Blethyn are some of the many film stars interviewed about winning and losing. Other contributors include Arnold Schwrzenegger, Mel Gibson, Goldie Hawn, Tom Hanks, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg and more. The day itself throws together stars, fans, journalists, florists, designers, jewellers, photographers, TV crews, security men on a red carpet leading to success or failure — an evening which can change a star’s life forever. War of the lords It’s Lord Ganesha versus Lord Ganesha as the channel wars spill over into the realm of religion. If Sony is airing Shree Ganesh, Zee has followed with Jai Ganesh. But it is Shree Ganesh, Sundays, 9 a.m. on Sony which triumphs due of its slick production values and neatly packaged anecdotes.
Since her wish is not fulfilled, in her next incarnation, Goddess Shakti takes birth as Parvati, daughter of mountain King Himalaya and Queen Maina. While bathing, Parvati creates a doll of a boy from the dirt of her own body and breathes life into him. On seeing a stranger at the door, Lord Shiva cuts off the boy’s head. Parvati is grief stricken and Shiva attaches the head of an elephant on the boy. Thus is born the legend of Lord Shiva which is now being narrated on Sony TV. We may have all heard the stories a thousand times but they still hold a mesmerising charm for the devout. — Mukesh Khosla |
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Built in 1935 the
cathedral is a fine-domed classical church inspired by architecture of
Venice. It is nestled in the heart of Lutyen’s impressive line of
buildings, with Rashtrapati Bhavan at the back and the Parliament
House to the side.
Neena Gupta discusses
the problems with the victims and their families and intersperses the
show with dramatised events besides offering solutions.
Go For It !
on Discovery Tuesdays through Fridays at 3 p.m. entices viewers to get
out of their armchairs and experience the rush of mountain biking,
snow boarding, hand gliding and more.
The Entertainment Biz
on BBC World from October 14
to November 19, 7.40 p.m. traces the history of the Oscar from the
time it was a film association’s annual bash to the present-day
Academy Awards attracting not only Hollywood’s glitterati but over a
billion TV viewers.
The serial starts
with Lord Ganesh being depicted as ‘Mahaganesha’, the creator of
the Universe. Lord Shiva’s other half, Devi Shakti asks God to make
her the mother of Mahaganesha.