Day 25 - 10 Ka Dum

I do not go out of my way to please any so called section of the audience. I believe in playing straight from the heart. My intention is never to hurt anyone’s sentiments or values or to show them down. It reminds me when Doordarshan began, there were certain guidelines certain norms that were laid down… I certainly follow those guidelines because I believe in them. It’s like those changeless values I have been trying to emphasize. While doing so I feel I remain modern… adaptable. Dus Ka Dum is a very modern concept but the questions, which sound very humorous and at times ridiculous in the format, give glimpses of common people and our ageless values. When I accepted to play anchor I had this fear that my thoughts and beliefs might be different from our ‘aawaam’ but as the show progressed I see that my fears were baseless…. I love connecting and establishing an instant rapport with my contestants….

Non-resident Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis watch entertaining films together. Is it not interesting that Indians and Pakistanis settled abroad do so living in complete harmony… They prove loving neighbours and depend on each other for everyday comforts. One of the hadis in Quran says that you are not a true Muslim if your neighbour does not feel safe. All religions preach love and peace… the only way to live.

Day 24 - 10 Ka Dum

I am really very happy to note the overwhelming response to this blog and read all your messages of love and good wishes. I did not know that television reaches so far. Asians settled abroad have enjoyed the show and I am told it is being very well received in our country also. This brings to mind the thought that some of our filmmakers try to make films especially for non-resident Indians and Asians. I fail to understand this attitude…I believe that people, us Indians all share the same feelings whether here or living abroad. I dislike creating divisions and films ought to appeal to the heart…universally.

Some filmmakers create scenes to cater to niche audiences. I also do not understand this. I strongly believe that we should not try to separate the audience. In reality, no such boundaries exist. You just cannot divide the human heart and our emotions. Even political boundaries have not been really able to divide human beings and their universal thoughts and feelings. Our audiences all over the world clap on the same scenes and dance to the same songs. And this clearly indicates their choice, their likes and dislikes…

Day 23 - 10 ka Dum

India is the only country in the world in which several centuries exist at the same time. It flows on, surges ahead but does not stop anything. All thoughts, ideas and fashions are welcome here. Since our economic liberalization and globalization, things have changed very fast. Modernity has galloped unimaginably ahead… waves of social change might create a stir on the surface but certain things and values remain the same at the bottom. Our predicament is that in the name of these changeless eternal values, some of us develop a very orthodox outlook. And a certain rigidity enters our thought processes. Similarly in the name of modernity, some people tend to overdo it. I believe that both these extremes dwarf our growth. The need of the hour is to strike a balance between our enduring values and the fast emerging trends.

If we look closely, we will find that the enormous difference between the two extremes is just superficial. How can values that have stood the test of time be outdated and redundant? I have observed that people from metropolitan cities pose to be ultra-modern but conservatism lurks from behind their masks. And those from small towns tend to be very orthodox yet display their keenness to be flexible in their thinking and willingness to adopt modernity is very evident. The fact is that India is eager for progress... and the only way forward is to adapt and become flexible. Become tolerant towards our fellow countrymen and women. So I say… Orthodox be modern. Modern be orthodox. Conservative be modern. Modern be conservative.