Posted:
From
Viewers of Choti Bahu- India Forums
To,
Zee TV
October 2009
Subject: Religious and Cultural Sentiments of viewers of Choti Bahu
Dear Sir/Madam,
We, the viewers of Choti Bahu request your kind attention to the religious and cultural issues currently being portrayed on your show. We have been loyal viewers since the inception of the show. The eternal union of Radha and Krishna has been wonderfully symbolized by the characters of Radhika and Dev. We congratulate you on that, the aartis and bhajans, the innocence of love is what has (had) captivated us all. There was a sense that humans can not destroy what is larger than all of us and that (for us who are Hindu) is a set of traditions and beliefs that form the core of our society. For many of us this show has become an artistic interpretation of what happens when good prevails over evil, justice over inhumanity and finally love over hate.
We have stayed through many moments of separation and VERY VERY few moments of happiness. This show was based on the premise of Kanha sanctioning and blessing this marriage with every ceremony performed in the presence of God; it is therefore now is disheartening to see that instead of moving towards a union, you are going against the very grain of the show and against what your viewers are longing for- a Radhika and Dev Milan.
The concealment of the truth has come at a very heavy price for your audience. The basic essence of the sanctity of marriage has been ruined by your show. We are getting very weary of the way Radhika continues to face hardships and even more angry at the way a seemingly good character like Dev is being hoodwinked by all members of society and family. While we understand that you are creating a drama and need to put ups and downs in the love story of Radhika and Dev, you have also a responsibility to your viewers as you have invoked from the beginning a religious narrative behind this story. Woven in a religious envelope, much of your audience has started to look at faith presented on your show with much disdain. If we are to believe the consequence of faith on your show:
When will this cycle ever end??
When will a positive reinforcement of faith and reward for pious lives ever see the light of day on your show? Time and time again, Radhika has been discarded and made to regress backwards because of your weak inclination to move forward with the story.
The show touches on very large topics such as faith religion, rituals, culture and the meaning of a Hindu society. It needs to honor these same rituals by demonstrating that they have meaning. If Dev has been told that he can have only one wife, he cannot go backwards to Vishaka, this story needs to honor marriage and the fact that sacred vows were taken, these sacred vows need to be recognized or give them a second wedding to recognize this love in front of society.
In addition, we would like you to please look at the following in a different light; the following have really hurt CB viewer sentiments like no other:
Adopted Children- Your show has portrayed the issue of adoption and adopted children so poorly to viewers from all around the globe, questions such as 'do Indian people really treat adopted children this way' 'why do they bring children home if they subject them to such abusive treatment' constantly. Adopted children face a lot of issues other than the added burden of being used and abused by family.
Caste Issues: You show Kanha as the guiding light for this Milan, then this very Kanha has always maintained in the Bhagvad Gita that a human becomes supreme through his karmas(actions/deeds) rather than his jaat or kul. Yet characters on your show continuously inflict pain on an orphan they brought home as a daughter and a daughter-in-law till this issue of varnasankar through jaat and kul came up.
Selling of Punyas- Shastriji has spent his whole life savings and now even his punyas on this wedding. Selling of his punyas! Selling of ones good karmas has been most upsetting to us and more so coming from a character like Shastriji. A lot of middle class viewers watch your show, we plead that you show a positive message. Shastriji is a self made man whose character has been ruined in the process of your weak plot, Daksha is nowhere to be found and Shastriji and family are paraded non stop in front of the Panchayat. Is there nothing more to a good name? How would a person like Shastriji react if Radhika's marriage does not happen after publicly almost marrying Dev and having completed all rasams of marriage? What happens to his sacrifices? Why are his good deeds not rewarded?
Dobharya Yog: If Dev's kundli says that there is no second wedding, how can you continue this story without revealing the truth? What is the meaning of doing a kshama vrat if you intend to bring Vishaka back? Where is the sanctity of marriage especially after Radhika and Dev have revealed their feelings publicly to everyone?
Promises: Dev has promised to keep Radhika happy and safe to her father, promised to be Radhika's forever, even Radhika admits she loves Dev, everyone knows Dev is crazy in love with Radhika and wants to marry her, both of them came through many vighnas like remarriage, money for wedding, restoring father's honor/replace murti's, done almost all the rasams before the wedding.. NOW you are going to ask us to put up with Radev separation? Bring Vishaka who admits she is not the CB? Try and ask us believe Radhika will break Dev's heart possibly? Have Dev all of a sudden second guessing this marriage and have Radhika lie again on the insistence of Vaishali? (Based on October 5 promo)
Misusing God to play with viewer's faith and sentiments: Using Krishna and Ganesha's name, you have spread lies, deception and betrayal and insulted the sanctity of marriage; we would like to ask why? Why not a positive message for a show with a message of good morals?
Rather than taking this opportunity to reinforcing some wonderful customs and traditions prevalent in Hindu society, this serial has made a mockery of several of them. It is time for the script writers to revisit their narrative with due research and create a show that is not offensive to a largely Hindu audience.
The younger generation watches this show and (while) this show truly has the potential to be outstanding, different from the normal run of the mill ones, we are highly disappointed in the mistreatment of religion and cultural customs in this serial.
This show is indeed getting tiresome. The plot is getting stretched out way too long, and while serials are usually like that, this show is truly just pushing it! (no pun intended).
Please begin this union, the show has a lot of potential to continue with their union. The viewers of Choti Bahu deserve a Radev milan, we are willing to go the distance and continue to watch the show with this milan and we believe this is what is most important to you- the viewers and the fact that we contribute to the TRPs of the show. The duration of the show does not decide the success of the show. There are a lot of ways to forward the show without compromising religious and cultural values.
Here are some suggested ideas from viewers
What does it say about a show that has only a few positive characters and so many negative characters? We are losing our faith in and interest in the show, the track currently running on your show has ended up making a total mockery of religion and the values our ancestors fought so hard for to inculcate in us.
The fan base for this show spans world-wide and as such the writers should remember to present the basis of their stories in an honest light. These characters can shine and become stronger and your show is a fantastic opportunity to do so. Choti Bahu has the ability to be a terrific show, but unfortunately it seems as though the writers have decided that moving backwards and sticking with this secret of marriage is the only way forward. We as viewers enjoy the drama, twists and turns and such, we also would enjoy watching a series that stay true to the original story as it was presented.
We thank you for reading this and kindly request to take these issues in consideration and stop the show from going on a slippery road of immorality. The show currently enjoys good ratings and we hope it will continue to do well. We would like to share the show with many more people around the world but this constant backtracking has makes us ashamed of what is portrayed in the name of Hindu religion and culture.
If you continue on the current track and separate Radhika and Dev for months on end with so much negativity, why should we watch this show? There is no purpose to watch someone being mistreated and evil being rewarded day in and day out, we have reached the limit to our patience! Separating RaDev will not raise your TRPs, this is an illusion, please think outside the box and give viewers what we desire and truly deserve for months of our patience and loyalty-
Thank you
Viewers of Choti Bahu
India Forums
To contact Zee TV (Please do not copy the entire letter, create a para or use a para from this letter for posting)
Email: response@zeenetwork.com
Call: Contact the RESPONSE TEAM on 022-24955555 / 24943416
Mail:
Zee TV - Creatives of Choti Bahu
135, Continental Building,
Dr. Annie Besant Road,
Worli,
Mumbai - 400018
Feedback Sites:
http://www.zeetv.com/feedback.html
http://www.india-forums.com/celebrity/2890/avinash-sachdev/
http://www.india-forums.com/celebrity/2985/rubina-dilaik/
http://www.india-forums.com/celebrity/2890/avinash-sachdev/gallery/
http://www.india-forums.com/celebrity/2985/rubina-dilaik/gallery/
http://www.india-forums.com/video/video.asp?vc=B534ECEA-9AA7-4721-A1E5-AA63E77D511B
Viewers of Choti Bahu- India Forums
To,
Zee TV
October 2009
Subject: Religious and Cultural Sentiments of viewers of Choti Bahu
Dear Sir/Madam,
We, the viewers of Choti Bahu request your kind attention to the religious and cultural issues currently being portrayed on your show. We have been loyal viewers since the inception of the show. The eternal union of Radha and Krishna has been wonderfully symbolized by the characters of Radhika and Dev. We congratulate you on that, the aartis and bhajans, the innocence of love is what has (had) captivated us all. There was a sense that humans can not destroy what is larger than all of us and that (for us who are Hindu) is a set of traditions and beliefs that form the core of our society. For many of us this show has become an artistic interpretation of what happens when good prevails over evil, justice over inhumanity and finally love over hate.
We have stayed through many moments of separation and VERY VERY few moments of happiness. This show was based on the premise of Kanha sanctioning and blessing this marriage with every ceremony performed in the presence of God; it is therefore now is disheartening to see that instead of moving towards a union, you are going against the very grain of the show and against what your viewers are longing for- a Radhika and Dev Milan.
The concealment of the truth has come at a very heavy price for your audience. The basic essence of the sanctity of marriage has been ruined by your show. We are getting very weary of the way Radhika continues to face hardships and even more angry at the way a seemingly good character like Dev is being hoodwinked by all members of society and family. While we understand that you are creating a drama and need to put ups and downs in the love story of Radhika and Dev, you have also a responsibility to your viewers as you have invoked from the beginning a religious narrative behind this story. Woven in a religious envelope, much of your audience has started to look at faith presented on your show with much disdain. If we are to believe the consequence of faith on your show:
- A person like Radhika who places her entire faith on God can never enjoy moments of happiness and bliss.
- A person as evil as Amma was a winner by swapping the brides.
- Amma was a winner when Rajpurohit puja was done by swapping them again at her will.
- Mrinalini & Vishaka were winners by getting Vishaka into a movie and at the same time sullying Radhika's reputation
- Vishaka and Amma will be winners by bring back Vishaka back yet again without getting Radhika and Dev's relation a recognition in front of society
- Dev is constantly humiliated in front of society because his first marriage ended in divorce
- Dev was not able to conduct important pujas because he has no spouse
When will this cycle ever end??
When will a positive reinforcement of faith and reward for pious lives ever see the light of day on your show? Time and time again, Radhika has been discarded and made to regress backwards because of your weak inclination to move forward with the story.
The show touches on very large topics such as faith religion, rituals, culture and the meaning of a Hindu society. It needs to honor these same rituals by demonstrating that they have meaning. If Dev has been told that he can have only one wife, he cannot go backwards to Vishaka, this story needs to honor marriage and the fact that sacred vows were taken, these sacred vows need to be recognized or give them a second wedding to recognize this love in front of society.
In addition, we would like you to please look at the following in a different light; the following have really hurt CB viewer sentiments like no other:
Adopted Children- Your show has portrayed the issue of adoption and adopted children so poorly to viewers from all around the globe, questions such as 'do Indian people really treat adopted children this way' 'why do they bring children home if they subject them to such abusive treatment' constantly. Adopted children face a lot of issues other than the added burden of being used and abused by family.
Caste Issues: You show Kanha as the guiding light for this Milan, then this very Kanha has always maintained in the Bhagvad Gita that a human becomes supreme through his karmas(actions/deeds) rather than his jaat or kul. Yet characters on your show continuously inflict pain on an orphan they brought home as a daughter and a daughter-in-law till this issue of varnasankar through jaat and kul came up.
Selling of Punyas- Shastriji has spent his whole life savings and now even his punyas on this wedding. Selling of his punyas! Selling of ones good karmas has been most upsetting to us and more so coming from a character like Shastriji. A lot of middle class viewers watch your show, we plead that you show a positive message. Shastriji is a self made man whose character has been ruined in the process of your weak plot, Daksha is nowhere to be found and Shastriji and family are paraded non stop in front of the Panchayat. Is there nothing more to a good name? How would a person like Shastriji react if Radhika's marriage does not happen after publicly almost marrying Dev and having completed all rasams of marriage? What happens to his sacrifices? Why are his good deeds not rewarded?
Dobharya Yog: If Dev's kundli says that there is no second wedding, how can you continue this story without revealing the truth? What is the meaning of doing a kshama vrat if you intend to bring Vishaka back? Where is the sanctity of marriage especially after Radhika and Dev have revealed their feelings publicly to everyone?
Promises: Dev has promised to keep Radhika happy and safe to her father, promised to be Radhika's forever, even Radhika admits she loves Dev, everyone knows Dev is crazy in love with Radhika and wants to marry her, both of them came through many vighnas like remarriage, money for wedding, restoring father's honor/replace murti's, done almost all the rasams before the wedding.. NOW you are going to ask us to put up with Radev separation? Bring Vishaka who admits she is not the CB? Try and ask us believe Radhika will break Dev's heart possibly? Have Dev all of a sudden second guessing this marriage and have Radhika lie again on the insistence of Vaishali? (Based on October 5 promo)
Misusing God to play with viewer's faith and sentiments: Using Krishna and Ganesha's name, you have spread lies, deception and betrayal and insulted the sanctity of marriage; we would like to ask why? Why not a positive message for a show with a message of good morals?
Rather than taking this opportunity to reinforcing some wonderful customs and traditions prevalent in Hindu society, this serial has made a mockery of several of them. It is time for the script writers to revisit their narrative with due research and create a show that is not offensive to a largely Hindu audience.
The younger generation watches this show and (while) this show truly has the potential to be outstanding, different from the normal run of the mill ones, we are highly disappointed in the mistreatment of religion and cultural customs in this serial.
This show is indeed getting tiresome. The plot is getting stretched out way too long, and while serials are usually like that, this show is truly just pushing it! (no pun intended).
Please begin this union, the show has a lot of potential to continue with their union. The viewers of Choti Bahu deserve a Radev milan, we are willing to go the distance and continue to watch the show with this milan and we believe this is what is most important to you- the viewers and the fact that we contribute to the TRPs of the show. The duration of the show does not decide the success of the show. There are a lot of ways to forward the show without compromising religious and cultural values.
Here are some suggested ideas from viewers
- Vishaka facing difficulty in her career and then trying to enter back first to Shastri house and then Purohit Bhavan
- After The marriage of Dev and Radhika, Vishaka enters due to the divorce not being final
- Radhika's tough adjustment period
- Dev finding out he had actually married Radhika and being angry at her for months
- Radhika helping Vivek, Mrinalini, Vaishali
- Dev and Radhika addressing Radhika's Rajpurohitain duties
- Dev and Radhika facing society
- Dev and Radhika's marriage moments
What does it say about a show that has only a few positive characters and so many negative characters? We are losing our faith in and interest in the show, the track currently running on your show has ended up making a total mockery of religion and the values our ancestors fought so hard for to inculcate in us.
The fan base for this show spans world-wide and as such the writers should remember to present the basis of their stories in an honest light. These characters can shine and become stronger and your show is a fantastic opportunity to do so. Choti Bahu has the ability to be a terrific show, but unfortunately it seems as though the writers have decided that moving backwards and sticking with this secret of marriage is the only way forward. We as viewers enjoy the drama, twists and turns and such, we also would enjoy watching a series that stay true to the original story as it was presented.
We thank you for reading this and kindly request to take these issues in consideration and stop the show from going on a slippery road of immorality. The show currently enjoys good ratings and we hope it will continue to do well. We would like to share the show with many more people around the world but this constant backtracking has makes us ashamed of what is portrayed in the name of Hindu religion and culture.
If you continue on the current track and separate Radhika and Dev for months on end with so much negativity, why should we watch this show? There is no purpose to watch someone being mistreated and evil being rewarded day in and day out, we have reached the limit to our patience! Separating RaDev will not raise your TRPs, this is an illusion, please think outside the box and give viewers what we desire and truly deserve for months of our patience and loyalty-
A RaDev Milan
Thank you
Viewers of Choti Bahu
India Forums
To contact Zee TV (Please do not copy the entire letter, create a para or use a para from this letter for posting)
Email: response@zeenetwork.com
Call: Contact the RESPONSE TEAM on 022-24955555 / 24943416
Mail:
Zee TV - Creatives of Choti Bahu
135, Continental Building,
Dr. Annie Besant Road,
Worli,
Mumbai - 400018
Feedback Sites:
http://www.zeetv.com/feedback.html
http://www.india-forums.com/celebrity/2890/avinash-sachdev/
http://www.india-forums.com/celebrity/2985/rubina-dilaik/
http://www.india-forums.com/celebrity/2890/avinash-sachdev/gallery/
http://www.india-forums.com/celebrity/2985/rubina-dilaik/gallery/
http://www.india-forums.com/video/video.asp?vc=B534ECEA-9AA7-4721-A1E5-AA63E77D511B
~~~Thank you Usha, JP, Anu for your feedback and input in helping with this letter and also to IF forum members for their comments, Thank You!~~~
