PUNJABI ANTENNA
Chaos at play
Randeep Wadehra

One March-end morning, Alpha Punjabi went missing from the small screen. Now this was the only channel that provided quality entertainment. Other channels are all music based; purportedly promoting Punjabi culture even as they rake in the moolah by telecasting cheap, titillating music videos. Frantic calls to the cable operator elicited a confusing-but-heartening response – Alpha Punjabi is now Zee Punjabi. Now, what could the reason for this change be? And, why no prior announcement was made? After all Alpha Punjabi belonged to the Zee network too. Had some brand problem cropped up? Maybe streamlining the management structure or re-allocating content-sourcing is the reason? Perhaps there’s some corporate consolidation going on?

Whatever the reason, one is happy that all the favourite programmes are still going strong: Dial-E-Punjab, Mubarakan, Pyar Naal, Alpha Gaddi, Khabarsaar et al. However, it is Jugnu Mast Mast that continues to rule the roost as a comedy show. The Mann-Rana duo gives a rather hilarious twist to socially relevant themes – wherein the ever-suffering common man occasionally gets his own back at the bullying officialdom. However, one sorely misses good tele-serials and soaps that once used to provide wholesome family entertainment.

One has a bone to pick with other channels for their lack of professionalism. ETC Punjabi often forgets to inform the viewers of featuring important personalities on its regular shows. For example, on Kaka Nikki Time there was this Pakistani female singer having an animated discussion with the kids. But this reviewer could see only the last few moments of the programme. Advance notice would have helped. Then there’s MH1 that announces a television show but forgets to air it without giving any reason. Conversely, it comes up – albeit occasionally – with excellent programmes, like the one on adventure sports some months ago, without adequate prior intimation.

EYE-CATCHER

As a television journalist Gurleen Ahluwalia has interviewed PS Badal, Rabbi Shergill, Jazzy B and Gurpreet Ghuggi besides many other personalities from different walks of life in the region. A graduate from Guru Nanak Dev University, Gurleen’s childhood was tough as her father fell to terrorist bullets in Amritsar and her mother struggled to give her and her siblings a decent education. She joined Punjab Today as reporter and news anchor and is currently with Zee Punjabi. Although she made her mark as mime artiste in several youth festivals, she prefers being a serious journalist.

This feature was published on April 23, 2005