Posted:
TV's fabulous grandmas
Friday May 25 2007 16:51 IST
Shailaja Bajpai
They look fab. Long, straight, silken tresses, lithe bodies, blouses designed to emphasise their shapely arms, backs and bosoms, saris moulded to fit their bodies like a second skin, jewels that glitter with the lustre of wealth, lipstick that adds to the fullness of their lips, a hint of rouge heightens the cheekbones, mascara accentuates the beautiful eyes…
Ekta Kapoor: Redefining the older woman
Yes, they look just fabulous, these grandmothers.
Better than they did when they were younger, far better than the younger women around them. Parvati (Kahani Zindagi Ki, Star Plus), even dear old mother hen Tulsi and great-grandmother of the hen party, Ba have more appeal and oomph than all the other female characters put together (Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thhi, Star Plus). And now they were joined by Prerna, who looks absolutely sensational as the grand old lady of Kasauti Zindagi Kay (also Star Plus).
These, the leading ladies of Hindi soaps for the last seven years seem to be enjoying the new look they have been given as older women. In fact, they look younger than ever before, which may not have been the idea, but it works. They are the best advertisment for the Oil of Olay TV commercial which had luscious-at-any-age, French actress Catherine Deneuve proclaim, ''You're not getting older, you're getting better.''
That's a fact. They have never looked better. When Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thhi vaulted generations, Tulsi suddenly grew older. Now Tulsi-Ma or Grandma may not be your idea of an ageing beauty as she has not undergone the kind of bombshell refashioning Parvati or Prerna has, but there is something very appealing in her softened features and poorly coloured hair, her often paintless mouth that has a habit of dragging down one end when she is in distress or vulnerable.
Ba, who must be well over a hundred, is still appealing in a maternal way. If you notice her eyes, there's a lingering naughtiness that belies her years. You want to sink into her arms and stay there. Which is good sight more comfortable than young Krishna-Tulsi's angularity.
The first real makeover for the older woman from good and traditional bahu in plain saris, came in the form of Parvati. Producers Balaji Telefilms decided that when Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki moved on another 18 years, the lead female character would return as an enchantress. She was remodeled entirely, she literally let her hair down and designer Manish Malhotra proceeded to change everything about her. And you can see the results. Not only has her character become more ambivalent (at least in the eyes of her on screen Aggarwal khandaan) but her body language swings between alluring to demure depending on the mood she's in. Her clothes are now ultra fashionable and even when she rises from bed she looks like she never lay down.
The other major transformation took place last week, when Prerna of Kasauti Zindagi Kay leapt into the future and came out looking as the Kentucky Fried Chicken ad says, 'finger lickin' good'. Like Parvati she has been given the appearance of a mannequin with shades to her character that never existed before. Parvati and Prerna are good but now much sterner and stronger. The tears, it would seem, have dried up.
The two characters and Tulsi in her own way, have redefined the idea of the older woman on TV. They have also challenged the concept of widowhood entirely. Television has already done a great deal to rehabilitate a woman without a husband or a man — no white for widows — and now we have moved one step further. Now grandmothers who are also widows are not only the most important members of their families, the leaders of the pack, they are also very attractive, professional women (both Parvati and Prerna work as head honchos of educational institutes). No helpless women here. Time to cheer, feminists, time to applaud.
This is empowering stuff from the soap queen of India, Ekta Kapoor, and once again, she is showing the way.
shailajabajpai@epmltd.com
Indian Idol 15
