Sandiip Sikcand explains why regional content feels more real than Hindi TV

Producer Sandiip Sikcand has always spoken openly about the kind of storytelling he believes in, and he continues to share his concerns about the current state of Indian television. Known for backing content-driven projects, Sandiip feels that television narratives in India are still stuck in repetitive patterns, with very little effort being made to move forward or reflect real-life changes. His growing interest in regional content, he says, stems from a strong need for freshness and honesty in storytelling.

Turning Towards Regional Television

Talking about his ongoing work, Sandiip reveals that he is currently involved in two Marathi television projects. One of them, Yedh Laglie Premache, is already on air on Star Pravah and has been receiving attention. Alongside this, another Marathi show is set to launch on Zee Marathi. His association with regional television is not a sudden shift but a conscious decision based on the kind of stories being told. He feels regional platforms offer greater freedom to explore themes often avoided on mainstream Hindi television.

Why Indian Television Feels Regressive

When asked why Indian television still feels regressive despite changing times, Sandiip points out that most changes are only superficial. According to him, the sets may look modern, costumes may be grander, and jewellery may be updated, but the stories remain the same. He highlights that most shows still revolve around the life of a married woman, making marriage the central point of a woman’s existence. Sandiip finds this approach outdated and repetitive, questioning how long television will continue to define women only through marriage.

He further adds that Indian television rarely shows women as individuals with dreams, ambitions, and the courage to follow their own paths. In his view, this narrow portrayal fails to represent today’s reality. At the same time, he believes male characters are poorly written as well. Men are often shown as rich, arrogant, and emotionally distant, which, according to him, is an incorrect and limiting representation of men.

What Makes Regional Content Stand Out

Explaining why regional content appeals to him, Sandiip says that regional television at least attempts to tell different kinds of stories. He feels the characters in regional shows appear more real and rooted in everyday life. On a lighter note, he mentions that regional shows pay attention to small details, such as characters wearing night clothes at bedtime and removing makeup and jewellery, which adds to the realism.

The Need for Originality on TV

Comparing television with films and web series, Sandiip clearly states what he feels is missing from TV today. He believes television lacks originality, uniqueness, and the courage to experiment with new ideas and varied narratives. According to him, this hesitation to try something different is holding the medium back.

Through his work in regional television, Sandiip Sikcand hopes Indian TV will slowly move away from stereotypes and begin reflecting the realities of modern society in a more honest and meaningful way.