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While women rule the kitchen politics on telly soaps, a handful of men are trying to make their presence felt on prime time
Ever since saas-bahu soaps created TRP froth on prime-time television, the fairer sex seems to have taken centrestage.
Today they have started reigning even in the late evening and afternoon slots. From the wise matriarch, the feisty protagonist or the vicious vamp, ever wondered why only women grab the limelight, reducing their male counterparts to the side show?
Given that telly soaps are mostly viewed by women, most producers take the safer route by offering women author-backed roles. Producer JD Majethia says, "Research reveals that men tend to watch news, sports and current affair shows. On the other hand, women prefer watching soaps."
There are exceptions to the rule. And of late TV has also had its share of male protagonists who have grabbed eyeballs like Ram Kapoor (Kasamh Se, Kyunki Saas..), Ronit Roy (Kyunki Saas.., Kasamh Se) , Hiten Tejwani (Kasauti Zindagi Kay) , Amar Upadhay (Virasaat) , Sharad Malhotra (Banoo Main Teri Dulhan) , Deven Bhojani (Baa Bahoo Aur Baby) and Apoorva Agnihotri (Kajjal) .
Ashish Kaul, vice President of a television channel, feels TV soaps are a "reflection of our society, where gender-based roles are still strictly defined. If the man is the household provider, it is the woman who manages it.
According to surveys, in metros and tier-2 cities, women spend more prime time hours watching soaps than men. Prime time accounts for nearly 50 per cent of TRPs. So, the women-centric focus remains.
Ahmedabad-based sociologist, Shiv Visvanathan feels that women watch these soaps excessively because of 'a preoccupation with the politics of domestic space.' "Most Indian women today are still restricted to their homes and hearths. In these serials, they see their own likeness in the characters.
And although these characters may seem unrealistic at times, they also instil confidence in their target audience about the immense power that a woman can wield," he says.
With family-oriented sagas dominating Hindi television in the 80s and youthful themes in the 90s, do the women-centric themes of today hint at a cycle? Majethia debunks the view. "Nearly all soaps in India have to be family-centric.
Even Kyunki .. started as a family saga before the story of the two main characters eclipsed it," he says.
However, this does not mean that the men are going to be part of the sideshow only. "The man has to be brought in. Otherwise the show will not be complete," says actor Hiten Tejwani. Agrees actor Ali Asgar, "You cannot take men out of the serial. They have to be there. My character in Kahani .. is as important as any other female lead's and is a very strong one."
Actor Rajev Paul agrees that there are not many strong roles written for men on entertainment television. He feels that things are improving. "Ronit Roy's roles are usually strong and author-backed.
Some of my roles, like 'Deven' in Kahani... and Navin in Kkavyanjali were powerful too. Ultimately, it also depends on the actor. Things are looking up for male actors though," says Paul. As Tejwani puts it, "Time changes everything."Here's to changing times, then!
Ever since saas-bahu soaps created TRP froth on prime-time television, the fairer sex seems to have taken centrestage.
Today they have started reigning even in the late evening and afternoon slots. From the wise matriarch, the feisty protagonist or the vicious vamp, ever wondered why only women grab the limelight, reducing their male counterparts to the side show?
Given that telly soaps are mostly viewed by women, most producers take the safer route by offering women author-backed roles. Producer JD Majethia says, "Research reveals that men tend to watch news, sports and current affair shows. On the other hand, women prefer watching soaps."
There are exceptions to the rule. And of late TV has also had its share of male protagonists who have grabbed eyeballs like Ram Kapoor (Kasamh Se, Kyunki Saas..), Ronit Roy (Kyunki Saas.., Kasamh Se) , Hiten Tejwani (Kasauti Zindagi Kay) , Amar Upadhay (Virasaat) , Sharad Malhotra (Banoo Main Teri Dulhan) , Deven Bhojani (Baa Bahoo Aur Baby) and Apoorva Agnihotri (Kajjal) .
Ashish Kaul, vice President of a television channel, feels TV soaps are a "reflection of our society, where gender-based roles are still strictly defined. If the man is the household provider, it is the woman who manages it.
According to surveys, in metros and tier-2 cities, women spend more prime time hours watching soaps than men. Prime time accounts for nearly 50 per cent of TRPs. So, the women-centric focus remains.
Ahmedabad-based sociologist, Shiv Visvanathan feels that women watch these soaps excessively because of 'a preoccupation with the politics of domestic space.' "Most Indian women today are still restricted to their homes and hearths. In these serials, they see their own likeness in the characters.
And although these characters may seem unrealistic at times, they also instil confidence in their target audience about the immense power that a woman can wield," he says.
With family-oriented sagas dominating Hindi television in the 80s and youthful themes in the 90s, do the women-centric themes of today hint at a cycle? Majethia debunks the view. "Nearly all soaps in India have to be family-centric.
Even Kyunki .. started as a family saga before the story of the two main characters eclipsed it," he says.
However, this does not mean that the men are going to be part of the sideshow only. "The man has to be brought in. Otherwise the show will not be complete," says actor Hiten Tejwani. Agrees actor Ali Asgar, "You cannot take men out of the serial. They have to be there. My character in Kahani .. is as important as any other female lead's and is a very strong one."
Actor Rajev Paul agrees that there are not many strong roles written for men on entertainment television. He feels that things are improving. "Ronit Roy's roles are usually strong and author-backed.
Some of my roles, like 'Deven' in Kahani... and Navin in Kkavyanjali were powerful too. Ultimately, it also depends on the actor. Things are looking up for male actors though," says Paul. As Tejwani puts it, "Time changes everything."Here's to changing times, then!
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Ahmedabad_Times/A_few_goo d_men/articleshow/2244033.cms
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