Punjabi Antenna
A mixed fare this year

Actors who made their presence felt: (From top) Sudesh Lehri, Savita and Jaspal Bhatti and Satinder Satti

The year 2006 has been a mixed bag so far as the Punjabi entertainment industry goes. Cinema showed signs of perking up, but TV continues to wallow in mediocrity, says Randeep Wadehra

IT has been a largely unremarkable year for Punjabi television. Although several private channels like Punjab TV, Channel Punjab, NRI and News Today declared their intentions to dazzle the region’s small screen, these remained mere pious hopes. However, Channel Punjab has at least made its presence felt in the West even though it has yet to beam its programmes to Indian households. In fact, if feedback from Punjabis abroad is to be believed, this channel is providing quality entertainment to the diaspora.

As for the four or five channels watched on our televisions, only Punjab Today is a full-fledged news channel that provides news and views on issues pertaining to the region. On other channels, the same fare is being offered to viewers — music and more music, especially on MH1 and ETC Punjabi. Some of it is good but mostly it is mindlessly mediocre. DD did offer socially relevant productions but these failed to enthuse the urban viewer. Hungering for quality entertainment — both in music and drama — people have been turning to PTV even in such areas as Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur.

The year saw the release of some good comedy flicks in DVD format. The most notable was Jijaji that was released in February. Then there is Chankata, an annual video sitcom, that has caught the viewers’ imagination. Obviously, the home video circuit is thriving.

However, 2006 will be seen as a watershed year for Punjabi cinema. Several good productions were released during the year. Mannat, Ek Jind Ek Jaan, Dil Apna Punjabi, Mehndi Wale Hath, Wagah, etc, are indicators that finally Punjabi cinema has come of age. But it is Waris Shah’s nomination for the Academy Awads that is the crowning glory of this resurgent industry. The late Manoj Punj’s unintended swan song has immortalised him.

Among TV personalities, Gurpreet Ghuggi and Bhagwant Mann’s forays into the national scene have not been discouraging. One can look upon these as precursors to greater success in the future. If Satinder Satti has been ruling the roost as Punjabi TV’s anchor then Sudesh Lehri has made his presence felt in the year’s closing months as Punjab da Superstar host. Ranbir Rana too is carving a niche for himself. However, one wonders whether Punjabi channels will ever eschew ad hoc deployment and wake up to the need for grooming professional anchors. We need well-trained and talented interviewers, moderators and hosts who are specialists in their chosen fields.