Star One dailies....100,not out!

It's celebration time on Star One. Its dailies are on a run riot! This month all three will complete 100 episodes. First to reach the 100 mark was Remix --- a show on the trials and tribulations of school going kids, that has caught the fancy of teenagers mostly due to its funky and in the face language. Produced by the brother sister duo, Shrishti Arya and Goldie Behl, Remix is one of the few shows on Star One that is really doing well. The entire cast had a blast, although they arrived late for their own party, as they were busy shooting in Pune till late on Saturday. But it was a party that was done in style, and not to be left behind, the cast of The Great Indian Comedy Show, followed suit. Next in line to hit a ton will be Hey...Yehi to hai woh! Meanwhile, the cast of TGICS were in high spirits as they let their hair down on the eve of the big bash to celebrate the completion of 100 episodes. Here is a peek into the chaos that reigns supreme on the sets of this riotous show! As we, motley of grimy, sweaty and irritatable reporters, arrive on the sets of TGICS, we are ready to get it over and done with --- asap! The wait of over an hour robs us of any sense of humour that has survived the Mumbai heat. I hear journalists philosophise about star tantrums and the lack of respect for time --- but as the creative head of the show, Sailesh Dave takes centre stage, we discover the root of the show's whacky humour. We laugh along, as he sought apology for the delay by blaming the 'lack of navigable roads in Mumbai' and that the 'stars need to put on their make-up.' The creative director claims that they were here to create an 'alternative universe,' "We have a unique take on real life issues. 90% of what we do is passed by the channel…10% is negotiable," he laughs. Forgetting the heat that awaits us outside, we venture into the uncharted territory of pure undiluted humour, where the director is called the 'leader of the lunatics' and as we embark on the arduous task of interviewing the cast, we hear loud yells of, 'Kapur is disturbing me!' and 'Kapur and Gera are molesting each other!' Don't be surprised, this is an instance where the two Gaurav's are trying to be nice to one another! The icing on the cake, as far as the cameramen are concerned, is the arrival of Manini Mihir Mishra, in pink pants and black halter top, looking…let me see…in the words of her male admirers,…HOT! Then there is Sonia 'Kukurmati' Kakkar, who takes great pains to irritate Gaurav Kapur, who is trying, in his own way to sound serious. At the end of it all we realise that however grandiose the celebration, it is not proof of quality, as has been the case with many mega serials --- but TGICS as the show is popularly known, seems to be getting better with every episode. With takes on events and people currently in the news, the show manages to accomplish with sarcasm what the news channels fail to do with what they call 'serious business'. TGICS, is a platform for all those with a whacky sense of humour to present their point of view, without sounding judgmental. Episode number 100 will be a compilation of the best gags on TGICS and will be an eight and a half hour marathon, which will be aired on 1 May. As I stepped out into the heat, making a rough sketch of my story in my mind, and failing to come up with anything that was even remotely funny, I took some solace in the words of the cast of TGICS --- even superman has inadequacy problems!