Yet another Star Channel, but what a difference! Star One, which has completed one and a half months is now on my top list, as it shows the viewers exactly what they want to see. It claims to have been made specifically for the metros, but learning a lot as we are from the biggies , the channel is becoming increasingly popular in small towns and cities also.
Its clear now that people are sick of Saas- Bahu serials unless they are really strong, Jassi is getting boring and Astitva is dragging. As such Star One is a welcome change. The one word which describes it best is ?variety?, for it caters to all age groups.
While children enjoy cartoons like Aflatoons (which by the way are not repeat telecasts), the teenagers are more attracted to Remix (boarding school story) and Dil Kya Chahta Hai (Four men confused with life).
There?s serious stuff too, which does not only claim but really is meaningful, like Siddhant (a lawyer entangled in illegal law practices) and Family Business (An NRI who has to take over his Grandad?s Mafia business). And for travel, there?s Body and Soul , for cooking, it?s Cook Na Kaho , for home décor, there?s Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai , making it the perfect Sunday Brunch.
There?s also a new Men Maange More , giving information on latest gadgets, (though they are equally important to women as well). Where mystery is concerned, there?s Special Squad (Phorensic Science) and Guns And Roses(Romance cum Drama)
The rest of the serials are an enjoyable lot too. Most of them are sitcoms though, the really cool ones are Pyaar Ki Kashti Mein (On Cruise Love Story), Hotel Kingston (Story of a five star hotel), Dil Kya Chahata Hai and Hey Yehi To Hai woh (Prince and the Pauper type).
Where comedy?s concerned, there?s no beating the ribtickling Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai (Roopali Ganguly aka Simran of Sanjivani is in it and she?s just fab) and a renewal of our very favourite Parekh family in Instant Khichadi .
A big bonus is the Studio One , much like the star bestsellers, which deals with different subjects in each of its short series. To top it all up, there?s the Great Indian Comedy Show , which is quite funny and reminds me greatly of our very own Movers and Shekhars.
Except the really serious Siddhant and Family Business, the rest of the serials provide plenty of laughter and are a good relief from the otherwise weepy soaps. Of course, the family?s still there but there?s not much propaganda, just a Mummy and a Daddy.
Not many tearjerkers as well. No two serials have the same events happening in them unlike family serials where the same thing happens everywhere. The storyline of many of them is fresh, but its not out of the world- highly sensible and enjoyable and the presentation is refreshing.
The style is decidedly urbane and the characters are easily associatible, walking straight out of our own world.
The winner is however, the fantastic song of the channel which features the main protagonists in the various serials. All in all, a welcome change from old stuff!!