Impact of the idiot box!

Not many would disagree that today’s TV entertainment is far better than movies at times. Its instant, easily accessible and loaded with a variety of shows and dramas, which people can sit and watch at home. It gets even better as viewers can switch off the button if they get bored. With direct to home satellite facilities and the emergence of more and more TV channels offering dedicated services, the small screen is the new big industry which is on par with feature films. Despite a few drawbacks, experts feel that the TV is here to rule for years until another effective tool such as Internet-powered mediums reaches everyone at a very cheap rate. Bengaluru Chronicle reports on the growing trend in Kannada TV.

"Of the few handful star actors in Sandalwood, stars like Power Star Puneeth Rajkumar and Kiccha Sudeep have already ventured into the production of TV programmes, and there are even reports that Rocking Star Yash could soon be producing a big budget TV serial. These developments are only expected considering the growth of Kannada TV. Sudeep, Ganesh, Yash, Radhika and even Darshan among a few, had actually started their acting journey from the screens,” says Sukesh, who has been working in the TV industry as a writer, for quite some time.

With at least half-a-dozen prominent entertainment channels in Kannada, each one of them has at least one dozen TV serials apart from reality shows, talks shows, game shows, and other programmes. “I still do not understand why they call it a small screen. It is no less than an industry with hundreds of actors, technicians, employees work throughout the year. Most of them are even profitable. Every weekend is a stage for competition amongst TV channels, who offer not just the latest movies but all kinds of shows for higher TRPs.  The debate is still on whether it is good to allow film actors to participate in reality shows and programmes when Sandalwood is facing stiff competition from other language movies,” says Sharan, who works as a part-time TV Analyst.

Where work culture is concerned, many still face issues such security, pay disparity and harassment, as they are usually bound by contracts. “If an actor/technician is working for a particular television serial, one cannot take up another lucrative offer because of the contract. However, these days its a good sign that some production houses encourage actors and technicians irrespective of the work contract," says an actor. So , the final verdict is that there good days ahead for the Kannada television industry.