New Delhi: If spending the day in front of the TV sets is your idea of celebrating Independence Day, then you are in for a boring day. The line up of TV shows and movies this year, are as routine as getting motichoor ke laddoos during the Independence Day celebrations, which we received while in schools.
When it comes to special shows and movies to celebrate the Day on small screen, nothing seems to be different than what the couch potatoes have been watching for the last five years. Independence Days and Republic Days are the perfect occasion when spirit of nationalism grips the idiot box and the only way to celebrate the occasion is by airing a couple of patriotic movies and Independence Special shows.
It’s a pity that till date no serious programmes has ever been conceived wherein freedom fighters were genuinely remembered? Wonder, if the sole Independence Day celebration has got reduced to having song and dance shows laced with patriotic fervour.
Telly bahus and sasu maa dancing on patriotic numbers and aspiring reality show contestants’ crooning legendary patriotic songs has become a norm. The dress code mandatorily is crisp white outfit with a hint of tri-colour either in the form of stole or bangles or dupattas. During the ad break, we get series of advertisements again loaded with spirit of patriotism.
It is not going to be any different this year, look what the idiot box has to offer on the 69th Independence Day:
Manoj Kumar’s movies: Early morning when you are done with reading the newspaper filled with quotes from TV actors lecturing on patriotism, you can switch on the TV to watch any of Manoj Kumar hits that most of us have grown up watching. Purab aur Pashchim, Kranti or the 1965 hit Shaheed are the regular presentation.
Aamir Khan’s movies: The strongest flavour in Aamir Khan’s movies are that of patriotism. His films are a must on the national festivals. Rang De Basanti, Mangal Pandey and Sarfarosh are the all time favourites. In between one can also see Paresh Rawal starrer Sardar, Sachin Khedekar starrer Bose, Gandhi My Father and more. Ajay Devgn’s Shahid Bhagat Singh was the favourite till now which has been replaced with Rohit Shetty’s Singham franchise.
Independence Day special episodes: Thanks to the advertisers’ interest, the channels have off late developed a fetish for special episodes. A colourful extravaganza wherein TV’s favourite actors dancing on patriotic numbers has become as boring as the daily soaps itself.
Special debates on news channels: The debates on various news channels discussing issues surrounding relevance of independence have lost its meaning. In a scenario where corruption has become a norm and anarchy prevails, the debates on national crises appear meaningless. Discussions searching the real meaning of Independence look as banal as the expressions on the faces of news anchors.
Rise of Khadi: Khadi becomes the flavour of the day during the national festival. Ironically, from celebrities to news anchors to TV stars to sports icon as quickly return to the western designer labels as the Independence Day fever dies down.
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