TOI: Anything for TRP- Rajan Shahi

You thought it only happens on the big screen. Fist fights, cuss words, alchoholic binges. Violence in different forms ranging from physical fights, verbal abuses to alcohol consumption scenes are now common on most daily soaps on General Entertainment Channels (GECs).

Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya, Chhoti Bahu, Amrit Manthan, Hawan, Bade Achche Lagte Hain, Saas Bina Sasural and other shows are now showing their protagonists openly nursing a drink, without the channels even carrying the mandatory disclaimer ticker. While reality shows Steal Ur Girlfriend, Zindagi Ki Haqeeqat Se Aamna Samna, Bigg Boss Roadies, Axe Your Ex, Splitsvilla, Survivor India, Truth, Love and Cash thrive on cuss words and physical fights, even fiction shows like Dil Se Di Dua...Saubhagyavati Bhava?, Sajda...Tere Pyaar Mein, have their share of violence.

Are physical fights really important in a TV show? Does it fit in with the content, or is it only a means to capture audience's attention? "Physical fights take the story line to the next level. Physical fights happen in real life situations too. In fiction shows, slap or a slight punch is the extent to which a character can go to. But even in mythological shows, there's physical violence," says producer Siddharth Kumar Tewary. Producer Rajan Shahi says, "Drama and conflicts are the Essence of all TV shows. As television has a strong impact and reach, producers/directors should understand their responsibility towards society and show healthy content. Of course, viewers have The Choice to flip channels, if they don't approve of the content of a show. If violence shown in mythological shows are fine, then why do we have double standards for daily soaps?"

Prem Kamath, Executive Vice President & GM of a youth channel says, "There was a time when physical fights did attract eyeballs, but that's not true anymore. Shows which completely rely on physical fights are doing very badly." Vivek Bahl, chief content officer of a popular GEC says, "Physical violence should be depicted only when the scripts demands it. But one should keep in mind certain codes in mind."

And what about the alcohol consumption scenes which are such a common sight on various soaps? "Showing a particular character drinking depends on the storyline. Moreover, drinking is socially acceptable. Thanks to internet and different forms of media, viewers have a broader exposure to content. No Doubt family viewers are our target audiences but they should not forget that viewers are mature too," adds Tewary.

The I&B ministry has its set of guidelines about how much violence is permissible on TV, and also a disclaimer ticker when scenes depicting smoking/alchohol consumption are aired. How do channels strike a balance? "We never show content that is offensive. Content needs to be interpreted in the right way," says KamathPrem.

With channels rooting for the TRPs ke liye kuchh bhi karega formula, to expect the viewer to learn to be discerning is a pretty tall order!

Shruti Jambhekar and Amrita Mulchandan