DD for masses, satellite TV for classes: Mukesh Khanna

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

The satellite television seems to be stealing a march over Doordarshan in a big way these days. However, undaunted by the competition, even Doordarshan is trying to go the satellite way and the daily shows on Doordarshan too are singing the saas bahu sagas.

To learn more about the differences between the two, we recently met Mukesh Khanna aka Shaktimaan of DD and urged him to reveal some facts, as he has worked for satellite television as well as in DD. "I was in 'Ek Radha Ek Shaam' on Star Plus as they had called me as they wanted a good ending to the serial. But I don't know why they suddenly cut short my role and made the ending an abrupt one. Currently, I am playing a lawyer in 'Bhabhi...' in DD, I did 'Shaktimaan', 'Aryaman', 'Sautela'", adds Mukesh. "I would like to move to satellite television only if the role is good and it appeals to me. I won't go to them asking for roles, instead they should realize my talent," clarifies Mukesh.

He also pointed to some problems in both satellite television and the DD. "Actually, in DD there are several constraints like money and because of this they have bad quality shows. On the contrary, in satellite television they have money and hence good quality work is there. But again, originality is dying in satellite TV. I would like to work in satellite television only if it offers me good work, as the outcome in television is good, but in DD the outcome is not as good. There aren't many people to take care of the national channel," distinguishes Mukesh. "But DD is always going to be valuable in a way that it reaches everywhere as it is the government channel. Satellite TV, on the other hand, is just confined to metro cities. Nevertheless, both have great potential which is still to be explored," adds Mukesh.

It seems that satellite television is luring actors to shift from DD to satellite with its glamorous look and the growing popularity. Confronted by this, DD too has maintained its place being a medium that reaches the masses as the satellite reaches only the classes. But, all said and done, both have its pros and corns.