Syed Mohd Irfan

Now that I have retired from active service and have time in hand to pursue things that I always wanted to, I am trying to catch up with things that I missed out on. This includes watching certain programmes that I had caught glimpses of earlier and liked, but couldn’t really maintain consistency. While surfing YouTube, I came across one such programme Guftagu that used to be telecast on now defunct Rajya Sabha TV. During my working days, once in a while channel surfing would take me to RSTV and I’d immensely enjoy programmes being telecast there, especially music and talk shows. Guftagu hosted by Syed Mohd Irfan was one such programme, of which I’d watch stray episodes, whenever I’d come across one during such surfings.

Luckily, now I discover that all the episodes are available on YouTube and I have been keenly watching them one by one.

What makes this show unique is its sincere and honest format bereft of any razzmatazz that is so typical of private channels, especially news channels. The tone is neither cacophonous nor scandalous. Conversations are heart to heart, move logically and give sufficient opportunity to interviewees to open out. And I have seen some of the celebrities openly confessing to mistakes made by them that eclipsed their success, a rarity in talk shows. Above all, it’s the very relaxed, polished and empathetic style of the host and presenter Syed Mohd Irfan that adds a great deal of sophistication to the proceedings. He comes well prepared, poses right questions and is very proficient in Hindi and Urdu. Another great thing about the programme is that it not only focuses on well established and reputed actors and film personalities, but also covers small time side actors. Recently I watched episodes on Lalit Tiwari ( who played the part of Sanjay in epic TV serial Mahabharat) and Birbal ( a small time comedian known for his buffoonery), which really warmed the cockles of my heart. Their struggle and all round talent was unbelievable, credit for which solely goes to Irfan for putting them at ease and then making them empty their hearts out.

I recently connected with the great man Irfan to check the possibility of revival of his top class show. He replied in negative. While his erstwhile channel RSTV might have ceased to exist having merged with LSTV to become Sansad TV, I plan to share this feedback blog on Guftagu and it’s host Irfan with Sony TV, who are open to promoting lots of newer concepts. I exhort my readers to watch a few episodes of Guftagu themselves and decide whether my impression of the programme and its presenter is exaggerated, idolatry or realistic?