Now and then our television industry comes up with real jewel programmes that warm our hearts, joy to watch during cold, damp winter months when most OAPs are confined to their warm, comfortable homes. This winter, it has exceeded all expectations with three such serials, Good Karma Hospital, Real Marigold Hotel and Death in Paradise.
First two were serials were filmed in India, in ever green, tourist’s favourite State of Kerala, with thick jungles, millions of palm trees and criss-crossing waterways. No wonder Kerala is described as “God’s Own Country” Venice of Asia.
Good karma Hospital tops all, with in-depth iconoclast story-lines, tackling real issues affecting people, like illegal organ transplant, drug, drink abuse and rape, sickening gap between poor and rich where poor survive on one dollar a day while rich pays $2000 for a single meal in 7* hotels and resorts with lackeys in attendance.
Beside story-line, the location and especially actors who give accomplish performance, steal the show. Amanda Redman, (Dr Lydia Fonseca) Amrita Acharya (Dr Ruby Walker) James Floyd (Dr Gabriel Varma) and Darshan Jariwala (Dr Ram Nair) top the list, some white actors posing as Indians and vice-versa, with ease and charm! It is indeed a feather in ITV’s cap for giving us such wonderful serial. I hope it will be followed by many more episodes.
I would urge our elderly who are mostly glued to Indian serials to watch this, on “Catch Up” telly for the missed episodes.
Kumudini Valambia
By email
