If one?s watching a serial minutely, what one can?t overlook are those finely nuanced gestures from an actor. Sure credit does go to the director, and the actor merits it too. A few episodes back, in Dil Ki Baatein Dil Hi Jaane there was a scene where Disha apologizes to her aunt for rudeness. It?s followed by a soft moment with her Nana where he show his concern. Tear filled eyes, Disha realizes her misplaced aggression, and it was the subtle changed expression that was striking. Glycerin brings out the tears, but the emotions and facial expression were truly a remarkable performance. One can?t stress enough: what a wonderful actor Mahima Makwana is. Her co-actor Ratna Shinde who plays her brother Aarav is also coming into his own and a few spontaneous moments were indeed a surprise. Deft direction with the young ones, must be lauded.

Children on television have usually been assigned supporting cast berths with an occasional major scene. However, the current scenario with scripts allows for child characters to play envelope pushing scenes. Much like our yesteryear child stars like the Irani sisters -- Baby Daisy and Baby Honey, Baby Naaz, Baby Tabassum, etc. One couldn?t have imagined Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma without the ubiquitous Tapu Sena, who are the show drivers. Or Udaan without Chakor, Imli, Vivahan and Sooraj; and Balika Vadhu without Anandi and Jagya or Bandhan without Darpan.

Producers, Channel Heads and writers have started thinking out of the box and created new, fresh content paths where child characters aren?t just cute appendages to the story or a bone of contention between feuding parents. In fact, they are as vital to the narrative as are their adult co-actors. Sometimes these kids have been scene stealers.

When the young actors are turning in exemplary performances, they deserve recognition from the industry. The Indian Telly Awards have included Best Child Actor - Male and Best Child Actor ? Female in the popular awards category, but that would undoubtedly go to the actors in the popular soaps, again based on their cute performances. In fact, it would be true recognition if the Jury Award also allowed for a Best Child Actor Male or Female. For that accolade would carry much more weight than the popular award. Is it asking for too much for the viewers to award the Ensemble Award to Tapu Sena, instead of some soap?

There are new shows waiting to be savoured. Early in the week, Colors launched Thapki Pyar Ki, where Vani the protagonist, a charming, young woman has a stammer as she speaks. This is cause for worry for the parents who are unable to find a match for their daughter. The first episodes seem to have made the cut with a touch of humour and heartwarming scenes, as Thapki as she is nicknamed admits that the gentle nudge (thapki) on her back helps her take the next step. Mind you, Thapki is not being treated as a comedy, it?s in fact, a show which will highlight what it means to live with an impediment.

Hotels like airports always provide an ideal setting for films and even television series. On Sunday nights, Star Plus has a weekly one hour episode of their new show Gulmohar Grand. A few weeks old, it certainly deserves an eyeball. Set in a plush hotel, each week a new story unfolds with a few new actors, but largely the core team which includes Gaurav Chopra, Akanksha Singh, Madan Joshi and Meherangiz Acharya Dar. From illegal child adoption to a serial killer, who stalks the sex worker in hotels and strangles them with a signature red scarf. This miniseries of 26 episodes will have a different story to tell each week. Welcome back miniseries!?