Article: Which century are these TV bahus living in?

From Pragya of 'Kumkum Bhagya' to Ishimaa of 'Yeh Hai Mohabbatein': Which century are these TV bahus living in?

Gursimran Kaur Banga | TNN | May 31, 2017, 11.22 AM IST Picture this: Pari in 'Sasural Simar Ka' comes to her newly-wed son's room and scolds his wife for waking up late. She asks her to quickly get ready and cook her first meal for the family in the kitchen. Later at the table, all the senior bahus of the Bharadwaj house are seated along with the men, while younger ones slog to prepare and serve food to them.

How poorly does this show of women?! Waking up early, wearing saris and jewellery, doing the household chores, serving everyone, and then not saying a word when scolded. This is how an ideal woman is projected on the small screen which has a wide reach and influences many.

In 'Kumkum Bhagya', Pragya is shown to be submissive (has no qualms in her husband getting married again), while in 'Thapki Pyar Ki', Thapki would rather suffer but not utter the truth in fear. Women are almost the sacrificial figures, who'd go to any extent to make their families happy. Either they don't work, or even if they do, they are shown to be sorting out their family problems more than being present at their workplace. A classic example of this is Ishimaa from 'Yeh Hai Mohabbatein', who is a dentist yet occupied with her never ending troubles in personal life.

Such portrayal of women comes as a setback. It encourages patriarchy and is downright regressive. The daily wear of these bahus who belong to affluent families is not relatable. Saris, suits and jewellery is not what a regular woman would wear at home. Also, why are men always sitting on the table waiting for the food to arrive than helping their wives, daughters etc? Evil women are too evil and the good ones are too good - making women look like either devils or goddesses.

I agree with the above article.. especially the line.. "Evil women are too evil and the good ones are too good - making women look like either devils or goddesses".. Just makes these women characters in the soaps so bleh for me.

But only one question- why do people want to see these women? Why are the TRPs high for these regressive soaps?

Aren't women the main audience of these soaps? Are women the flag bearers of patriarchy then?

Soap female leads are at least 200 years behind.🤢 Just not relatable to average women or professionals, I guess.

I Agree With This. Bang On.

Wow so true, serial women are pathetic n not real.

Bang on about them saying pragya is submissive, audience love to watch women suffering so in every show it's the same formula, show women as weak n dumb n get trp's, it's just for some shows it's work n for some it doesn't.