Telugu Channel Game show Trend setter- Star Mahila

It was a dull afternoon many years back say 3 years ago not really sure of the exact date but may be late 2009, when afternoon programmes were swept aside by a breezy Game show with no nonsense, un-complicated and visually less garish sets accompanied by a congenial host with a fluent tongue in Telugu and equally adept in cinema and arts. The host was Mrs. Suma.

What has prompted me to pen down a personality’s rise is her way of carrying the show forward. At times the games where outright childish and desi style innovation with most toys being bought straight out of Ethirajulu Naidu shop or Rathna stores Plastic wares.

One wonders if we really could invent so many games out of simple plastic vessel, funnel, and kind of game out of nothing.

What stood out in the show was Suma's sense of humour and handling of variety of participants on the show, her subtle way of chiding the participants with naughty predisposition and also ones with no-brainers.

The attitude of the host garnered much interest among viewing public which I gathered from my Mother’s viewing tastes which normally centred on Mega soaps with much tickling of tear buds. Nevertheless her light hearted banter and childish temperament has won hearts of the participants who have willingly come out in grandeur attire to be showcased before prime time Telugu audience. The Programme was initially telecast between 12.30pm to 1.30pm and if I am not wrong was also for a smaller duration.

Just imagine a housewife who has not even got a wink of what it takes to appear on a widely watched televised show and shake a leg with much delight is a truly un dramatised version of a game show.


When I mean un-dramatised many a times I have heard instances of chat show host fixing what questions to be asked and when; but this show with creative content of using music as a stop clock and also testing people’s knowledge on movies and things related to movies.



The other thing which was definitely guaranteed was the un-choreographed spontaneous replies of the participants which have put the TV viewing audience down on knees in hilarious splits. On many occasions un-suspecting audience gaffes have resulted in the shows growing expectation for next day’s 1 hour laughter.



Many days the show has been making audience guess about the next day’s games to be played. Even prompting to wonder if she would repeat a game, but being involved in the show has made many forget even if a game has been repeated.



The major characteristics of the Star Mahila has been light hearted comedy style of presentation be it the introduction/ themes chosen by Suma as a dacoit or as a cine role or as a elderly lady and even to extant of being a school kid. The flow of the show deserves special mention from Intro to games to GK round to expressing talent of the participants.



Hats off to a programme which has spawned few poorer cousins with hosts like Mrs. Roja and Mrs. Aamani, just proving a point that Star Mahila under Suma has been a Trend setter; Why does Suma take home the honours in afternoon women’s game show is her repertoire of skills on display which other women lack in spite of their larger presence on silver screen. One would even go deeper to find any kind of flaw in Suma’s presentation and ala they would return empty handed because of her people management skills and ease at which she could handle a children centred games show during summer vacation or teenage girls show who are from colleges or even newly-wed women and older women.


Hats off to Suma to have filled a dull broing time with her more than ticklish Star Mahila.

Suma has taken a notch up by defining the women's fashion statement as was the case with Kushboo in Jaya TV's Jack pot Sunday show or even Simran in current role.

More so a desi version with cheaper sets does not mean flop show; all credit to ETV to have pulled of a healthy entertainment in between a weeping saga of soaps. ETV is also known for similar kind of serials in that genre.
But given the game show trend in Telegu channels; i would commend Star Mahila's entire crew for a lively 1 hour show. definitely value for money.