Devanand & Lata Mangeshkar

Devanand with admirers at DDK Mumbai

During my tenure with DDK Mumbai, I developed couple of phone in programmes viz. Hello sakhi,  Hello Sahydri, Hello doctor, Hello DD etc. Hello DD was the National Network programme. It was a live program and viewers pan India would call and chat with their favourite film personality. The show which commenced on a Sunday somewhere towards the end of 2000 lasted for 5 years. Practically all the who's who of the film industry took part in the Hello DD programme . Right from Shatrughan Sinha, Subhash Ghai, Hema Malini, Shabana Azmi, Asha Bhosle, Jitendra, Anu Malik, Ila Arun, Devanand and the list is endless.

Devanand at Doordarshan kendra Mumbai

  Dev Sahab was  particular about the Anchor. He wanted that Mr. Vishwanath  Sachdev the editor of NavBharat Times , Mumbai  should interview him. Well we got Mr Sachdev for him . The programme was well received by the audience. Dev sahib got phone calls from every nook and corner of the country. He enjoyed the live show and marvelled at the technology, DD had. Though Mumbai Doordarshan was inaugurated on 2^nd oct .1972 but this was the first time that Devanand  visited  the DD Kendra (TV Station).

Devanand, Vishwanath Sachdev & Mukesh Sharma. 

On 26^th Sept 2012, the evergreen actor will be 88 years old. He is still going strong and has no desire of hanging his boots. His latest venture is the film Charge sheet to be released in Cinemas on 28^th Sept. An incurable romantic ,Dev Sahab looks upto young people on how to live life “ They inspire me but I must have also inspired them at some point of time.....I live in the same era as them”.   May   Dev  Sahab  continue to inspire the younger generation with his never ending zeal and passion for life.

Devanand & Mukesh Sharma (Director DDK Mumbai)

    

 LATA MANGESHKAR TURNS 82 on 28TH SEPTEMBER 2011.

On 28 September 2011 the Melody Queen Lata Mangeshkar will complete 82 years. We are lucky to have been born during the life and times of Lataji.

Her golden voice has been a panacea to our souls. . Through this Post I wish her a long, happy and peaceful life. May she continue to inspire us.

Lata Mangeshkar at Doordarshan Kendra Mumbai

Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar or Lata Didi as we address her,visited DDK Mumbai on 23rd April 2004 , as the chief guest for the Sahydri Navratna Awards. Since Broadcasting schedules are time bound , I had to take her date well in advance. I was told she had a weakness or liking for Orchids. I bought some of the prettiest orchids I could lay my hands on. It was a sight to see Lata Didí's expression . Like a child the smile ran on her face. "How do you know that I like orchids" said Didi, while holding them. "I did my home work Didi before coming to you ", was my immediate response.

Lata Mangeshkar with Mukesh Sharma

Needless to mention she accepted the invite but with a rider. She will be with us, only for half an hour . I agreed, but destiny had something else in store . I remember she had a severe headache when she arrived at Doordarshan. I told her she can leave in 10 minutes, after she had inaugurated the show. But to my surprise she did not leave.

Her reason to sit through the entire function, in her own words was, "It is a very well conceived show and a far cry from what the pvt TV channels are producing . I do not want to miss it . Sharma if you can organise some tea and medicine , I would like to watch the entire show". Andhaa kya chahe do aankhe...... And rest is history. Lata Didi sat for full three hours with us. As usual after the show she complimented us and the following remarks in Marathi language were etched in the memoir book of DDK Mumbai.

Lata Mangeshkar, Hridayanath Mangeshkar & Mukesh Sharma

"Doordarshan madhey kelesya sudharna pahun faar anand vatla. Ya poorvi hey darshan doormach dhayve ase vaate. Pan aata maatr ha jhalela baddal abhinand aahe.Shri Mukesh Sharma yaanche mee abhinandan karte , dhanyavaad dete."

(I am very happy to see the changes made at Doordarshan. Before this, one only wanted to watch it from afar (pun on the name Doordarshan). But now these changes are truly commendable. I not only congratulate Mr. Mukesh Sharma but thank him for it as well.)