television
On the role

Variety is the spice of life and no one knows this better than Mrinal Deshraj. The NIFT designer-turned-TV-star is creating waves playing a bimbette without brains in Ek Ladki Anjani Si on Sony. “I am the comic relief in the true sense,” says she unabashedly. Last spotted in Kabhi Aaye Na Judaai and Zindagi Teri Meri Kahaani Hai, Mrinal has done cameos in Sanjeevani and an emotional role in Dil Mein Dard Hota Hai. She will now be seen in Gautam Adhikari’s next untitled venture where she plays a tough cop. “It’s an investigative series and I play a cop who can draw faces of criminals from the description given by victims,” says she. More than the serial she’s excited about acting opposite Ashutosh Rana. “He’s great to work with, a perfectionist and a wonderful actor,” gushes Mrinal who has many other shows in pipeline including Aroona Irani’s Dor where she plays a negative character. From a comic to a negative role and from a tough cop to an emotional character, is there any other role Mrinal aspires to do? Yes, comes the instant reply, maybe that of a bahu in a mushy saas-bahu saga!

Revisiting a disaster

The year 2005 started in the dark shadow of the Tsunami. BBC World has decided to end the year with a tribute to those who perished in the devastating disaster. Tsunami Prayers visits each effected country and discovers how the calamity was seen through their faith and how their community responded to it spiritually. In Buddha And The Beach on December 13, at 10 p.m. the BBC team visits Laem Pom a village in south Thailand where Tsunami destroyed every household. The episode tells the story of the villagers’ effort to rebuild their lives armed only with a faith. But the problem is that a third of the 150 residents are dead or missing and the survivors are being forced to fight a second battle as powerful developers are attempting to seize their land in order to create new tourist resorts. In Matara Miracle Man on December 16, the team meets up with Father G.S.K. Herath who has reaped an unimagined bonanza from the Tsunami. Rumours abound of how a miracle saved his small Christian church in the southern Sri Lankan coastal town of Matara. His church has the biggest rush of devotees now. There are many such anecdotes and stories that touch people’s lives. Don’t miss out on these and other poignant stories from India and Indonesia, revolving around one of the most overwhelming disasters of modern times.

Movie bonanza

Not one, not two, not three but six blockbusters are coming your way. In December, Star Gold celebrates 2005, the best year that Bollywood has had in a long time. In Super Six starting December 11, at 1 pm and on every Saturday and Sunday, the channel will air some of the most commercially acclaimed blockbusters and popular Bollywood events of 2005. Among them the best-known hits include Main Hoon Na, Black, Swades, Lakshya, Hulchul, Ab Tak Chhappan, Fida, Kya Kool Hain Hum, Hera Pheri and Gayab (if that can be termed a blockbuster.) Some of the events that will be showcased include the BFA Awards 2005, Amsterdam, the Star Screen Awards and more. The inimitable Rajpal Yadav is the face of Super Six. He stars in the promotional campaign as the astrologer Jyotishi Bhagwan Bharose Futurewale Baba and host’s lead-ins to all movies/events, analysing them in hilarious astrological fashion. And if that were not reason enough to stay tuned to Star Gold, you have the opportunity to win a gold coin. A question will be asked in the breaks, and if you SMS the correct answer, you have a chance to strike gold.

Another sensation

Remix star Sonia Kapoor is all set to follow her idol’s footsteps. Like Sushmita Sen she too has become a fitness aficionado and can be seen gymming at a prominent Juhu fitness centre. The similarities don’t end there. Sonia is all set to play an undercover cop in a untitled new serial a la Sushmita in Samay. “One of my most favourite characters is the one played by Sushmita in Samay. So when I was approached to play a similar role there were no second thoughts. I just grabbed it,” says Sonia who apart from Remix is also seen in Piya Ka Ghar on Zee Telefilms. Sonia says that comedies and thrillers have always excited her. Though with serials like Zanjeerein, Lakeerein and Heena, she’s not had too much of an opportunity displaying either of those talents. But now with a comic role in Remix and a new thriller she has plenty of opportunity displaying her histrionics. — NF

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