TV REVIEW
Channel Surfer
By
Randeep Wadehra
How many of us remember Ankita
Jhaveri, the original ‘Rasna girl’ today? She had created waves ages ago. Her
instant fame had paved the way for children, especially girls, to feature in a
plethora of TV ads as well as fiction and reality shows. Suddenly they were all
over the small screen, canvassing for chocolates, health drinks, packaged foods,
detergents and even cars, and doing a great job too. Children are natural
performers. Their uncluttered mindscape is able to soak in the nuances of a
performing art – be it acting, singing or dancing – far more easily than
adults. There are numerous instances of child actors captivating the audiences,
thanks to their uninhibited natural renderings.
As child Krishna in Jai Shri
Krishna (Colors), Dhriti Bhatia had won the audience’s hearts. Now she has
gone on to enchant her fans on Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon (Star Plus).
Ashnoor Kaur impressed as Prachi in Jhansi Ki Rani (Zee TV). She gave
further proof of her talent as Nanhi in Na Bole Tum, Na Maine Kuchh Kaha
(Zee) and as child Shobha in Shobha Somnath Ki (Colors). Talking of
talent, Peehu, whose real name is Amrita Mukherji, has taken the small screen
by storm with her performance in Bade Achche Lagte Hain (Sony). Avika
Gaur, of Balika Vadhu fame, has done one better. She now features in
love triangles as a grown up woman; and displays her histrionic range in assorted
soaps. And, who can forget the sensational child stand-up comedian Saloni aka
Gangubai? Even the most seasoned judges were swept off their feet by her comic
performances. She is indeed a rare talent that can act naturally and deliver
most powerful punch lines with unbelievable ease. Among boys, too, there are
numerous gifted child actors, who have carved out a niche for themselves in the
world of TV entertainment. Shivansh Kotia, who had caught our attention in Balika
Vadhu, is now attracting eyeballs in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (Star
Plus), among other shows. Similarly, Sadhil Kapoor, who plays Ganesha, in Devon
Kay Dev Mahadev (Life OK), is immensely talented.
Although reality shows like Chhote Miyan
in the past had presented a platform for exceptional child comedians, and Sa
Re Ga Ma Little Champs provided exposure to aspiring child singers, the
current Indian Idol Junior is different in several ways. First, during the
trials, judges did not criticize children. In fact, the unsuccessful children
were given toys as gifts and treated affectionately. In the main competition,
judges focus more on positives and indicate where improvements are required.
More importantly, the talent on display is of much higher level than ever
before. Imagine an eight year old Sugandha from Nagpur rendering a ghazal and
negotiating its nuances with self-confidence, or 9 year old Sonakshi from
Kolkata, 14 year old Priyam from Sivasagar Assam, 15 year old Eman from
Guwahati, 14 year old Debanjana from Midnapore and 10 year old Anjana from
Bangalore, rendering classical, light classical and other genres with
professional aplomb, although Hindi is not their mother tongue! In fact, Anjana
is distinctly uncomfortable while conversing in Hindi and lapses into Tamil,
but onstage her diction is perfect and so is her rendering of some of the most
complex compositions. Among boys too, the flair displayed by the 14 year old
Anmol from Jammu, 13 year old Akash from Haryana’s Kanina Khas, 12 year old
Sankalp from Moradabad, and 14 year old Nirvesh from Ahmadabad, keeps everybody
enraptured. Sadly, Meghna Kumar, a talented visually challenged girl from
Jhansi, made her exit rather early. But she has the potential to make a strong
comeback as a professional singer. One would not be surprised if some of these
children step into the shoes of the current adult singing icons as stars in
their own right, sooner than later.
Published in The Financial World
dated 15 July 2013
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