Incognito Critics#17/ DOTW Pg 114/ W/B - SOHA !!! - Page 85

In most of the hindi serials, A woman is the main protagonist and the rest of the story is built around her. But inspite of being the lead character, inspite of being the 'centre' of the story, she is never potrayed to be stronger than men. Be it the typical Saas-Bahu serials, or a modern-day soap like Dil Mil Gaye, The Man gradually becomes the controller.

In Saas-Bahu serials, She is always the 'Pativrata Patni', who follows her husband's commands to the 'T', Covers her head with a Ghoonghat infront of her 'Sasur ji' and touches her husband's feet. Being Traditional does not always mean being weak, but that's not all. She always puts her husband's wish abover her own, family's security above her own, Husband's so-called 'izzat' above her own. A man is never shown to do all this. He walks out whenever he wishes to, suspects his wife of treachery and kicks her out of the house ( And the woman doesn't do anything except of crying & begging )

So the contrast is clearly visible. In modern day Soaps like DMG, the protagonist might appear to be strong initially - But the moment the 'Love' angle is brought in, she too, becomes secondary to her boyfriend. Over a period of time, it becomes difficult to consider her character as an indivisual because it has been so badly woven into the "man's" character that the audience is unable to appreciate her own character.

Hence, the question here arises - Why do you, as audience, think this happens ? Are we not ready for a serial in which a woman asks her husband to do 'Agni Pariksha' for her ? We can also take this cue to discuss a much wider, more universal issue of gender bias.

Do share you views in a healthy manner,

Thankyou,