Dhoom Macha De: Guilty Pleasure 101

I wish I could watch more of Dhoom Macha De (NDTV Imagine, Thurs-Fri 8:30pm IST) - it seems like a show worth quite a few laughs.

Take Jasbir Jassi for instance. On an episode I once watched our man whole-heartedly supported his competitors. During someone's song, he played the dafli, during another he danced, yet another was greeted with maracas. Then Anaida came on stage and did what can only be described as a Writhy Nagin Belly Dance. Cut to Jasbir clasping his palms between his knees and wearing a Bhais Ki Poonch expression on his face.

The mix of personalities on DMD is an excellent one. Too bad the producers lack operational creativity. Thus each week, one is subjected to the same competitors doing the same shtick like say Baba Sehgal comes and does some bhangra-rap and tries to rouse the audience by telling them to put their hands up (clearly he has never performed in a 7-11) and Jaspinder Narula tries to balance classical mujra singing (I know there is a technical word for her style but I'm not a Ph.D. in music) with more SMS-generation performances.

Yet fun ensues. Last week that Devang Patel showed up. Given that the entire reputation of my gujju brothers rests on his shoulders these days, I'm still not sure why Gujarat hasn't already declared a state of emergency. But then who can figure out how governments work anyway? The man did such a joyless nakal of Bappi and Himesh that I laughed and cried. Know of any show that can do that?

However credit where its due: I am developing a fierce appreciation for Malaika Arora. The more I try to find things to dislike about her, the more I end up enjoying her presence. How does she do this? Primarily by somehow walking the line between skanky and classy and teetering on the edge enough times that you realize she might be doing it deliberately. And she maintains a hugely peppy and light-hearted presence on the show - doing everything full tilt like hosts are supposed to and even copiously flirting with the audience. Often she'll say tremendous things like "Keep Rocking!" or "All you Happy Hearts!" wearing an expression that seems to say: "I'm hot and you are so lucky to be watching me". Ten out of ten, god bless.

And finally time to check in on Richa Sharma, the real reason I watched this show to start with. Every week she proves to be a fine performer, the pick of the lot. She's lovely and versatile. But something strange has been going on with her. Whenever she stands attentively to listen to the judges comments, she's all humility. But there is something in the way she looks at the judges, her face an immobile mask, and nods at everything they throw at her, that you realize she's barely suffering these fools. Often I've thought "Ok, now she's going to throw that goddamn mike at Prasoon Joshi's head" - a possibility I still hold out hope for.

You know the word "diva" gets thrown around a lot these days - anyone who opens her mouth to sing pretty much becomes one. But Richa Sharma is a true diva - entitled, enabled, talented, larger than life and hugely dangerous. If I were Bappi, I would hold her hand and tell the world "Tum Eendiya ka Toony Souprano hey!"

Also:

• Richa is the best reason to watch DMD, says leera



• meena explains why she is wary of divas



• sidekick battles reality show fatigue



• anu g is turned off by Rock N Roll Family



• HoonPanGujarati likes Richa and Jaspinder but not Malaika



• What else has Richa sung besides Mahi Ve and Billo? asks Joules



• Cinderella links to one more



• Be scared says anu g of this Kisko Milega Cash