World Television Day: Bhumika Chawla on her favourite shows and evolution of TV

Mumbai : Every year, November 21 is observed as World Television Day that emphasises how TV plays a vital role in presenting different issues that affect people. It was initiated by the United Nations in December 1996.

If we look back there are a lot of changes in terms of shows and techniques on television. Who can forget watching special serials like ‘Mahabharat’ or children’s favourite ‘Jungle Book’ and its popular track ‘Jungle Jungle Baat Chali Hai’ with lyrics by Gulzar.

With time now there are new shows for all age groups but one thing that has not changed is the craze for television though of course OTT has created a challenge for it. But of course still it caters to many around the world.

On this day, we spoke to ‘Seetimaarr’ actress Bhumika Chawla, who recalled the old style of television, her favourite shows and how the programmes have changed so far.

“With the television we see a lot, sometimes more than what’s needed. I was very small when TV came. It was the one with the doors,” she recalled.

Bhumika doesn’t spend hours on consuming TV content, but ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ hosted by Amitabh Bachchan is one show that she doesn’t miss.

“I hardly watch TV now. If I do then it’s KBC,” said the ‘Tere Naam’ actress.

She remembers watching ‘Chitrahaar’, ‘Ramayan’, ‘Mahabharat’ and DD news with her father. “Sundays used to be movie time. There were also serials like ‘Udaan’ and cartoons such as ‘Spider-Man’,” she said about her childhood.

She feels that with an overload and overdose of programmes and news, now it’s not much fun. “It distracts families instead of binding them together. Also, news channels in India could be more subtle and real,” she said.