loha better then shekhar

Apart from providing entertainment, if anything, Indian television is definitely strengthening stereotypes.

Whether it is subjugation of women, the idea of the 'perfect' housewife, non-existent heroes or even the ghunghat clad bahu brigade. TV has successfully played its role in all these areas. House confined bahus and betis, without any individuality, face all the acts of their family members by being mere voiceless entities. Idealism on Indian television today has being reset at a high altitude. It's no surprise then that after one set of stereotypes from the Tulsi-Pravati era, which seems long gone, comes another that seems to have flooded the idiot box.

Ghunghat ki aad se: Flipping through channels at any point in time, one will definitely come across women with loads of sindoor, heavy saris and ghunghats firmly placed on their heads. So much so, for the uninitiated, the shows might all appear to be the same. Balika Vadhu, Uttaran, Sapna Babul Ka Bidaai, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Choti Bahu, and Pratigya ' the list just goes on and on. If one were to see the heroines without their mandatory ghunghats, then recognising them would be a tall order.

Bad's better: Maybe it's just the way the characters are written, but bad is certainly better on the idiot box. If the lead actors are mere caricatures who have to shed tears by the buckets, then the villains who actually make for better viewing. Ammaji is the prime focus in Laado..., who is Sia anyway? Archana's mother-in-law hogs the limelight in Pavitra Rishta while the daughter-in-law is somewhere around, crying may be. Loha Singh in Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo evokes more interest than the hero, Shekhar. Need we say more?

Hero? Where's he?: Ever since the saga of soaps on Indian television began, it's the heroine who has been the hero in the true sense. Though there is a male lead to fill in the blanks, it's his female counterpart who has the meatier parts in the show. Why do guys get the raw deal? How many of you actually remember characters like Alekh, Ranvir (Sapna Babul Ka Bidaai), Naitik (Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai), Sooryakamal (Do Hanso Ka Joda), Shekhar (Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo), Karan (Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli), Manav (Pavitra Rishta), Abhi (12/24 Karol Bagh), Vinay (Bhagyavidhaata), Raghav (Na Ana Is Des Mere Laado). Chances are they'll probably be relegated to being romantic props...

High point weddings: If there is to be a major twist in the drama, what better way to introduce one than by planning an elaborate wedding sequence? Indian television is not done with excesses. A major change in the protagonist's life happens only during wedding sequences. Ichcha and Tapasya's lives turn topsy turvy at the wedding. Manav and Archana are separated just as their shaadi is complete. A double murder takes place in Agle Janam during Ratna's nuptial are just a few examples. The trend that started with Mihir's much-talked about return in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi during Tulsi and Anupam's wedding, is still continuing today.

Socially relevant: All shows begin with a bang by saying they are socially relevant 'child marriage, female infanticide, intercast marriages, colour prejudices etc. But seven to eight months later, the storyline is anything but what it started off being. Jyoti started off as a story of a middle class girl being the sole breadwinner of the family. What she is doing right now is anyone's guess. Instead of fighting child marriages, Balika Vadhu is focusing on an old flame. Surrogate motherhood in Agle Janam is replaced by a murder mystery. Ample examples on the telly will prove that a few twists and turns later, the storyline becomes same old stuff you've seen before.

Is it any wonder then that the remote control has often been termed as a lifesaver?

Originally posted by: zaara_kzk

Deja vu time for TV shows

Apart from providing entertainment, if anything, Indian television is definitely strengthening stereotypes.

Whether it is subjugation of women, the idea of the 'perfect' housewife, non-existent heroes or even the ghunghat clad bahu brigade 'TV has successfully played its role in all these areas. House confined bahus and betis, without any individuality, face all the acts of their family members by being mere voiceless entities. Idealism on Indian television today has being reset at a high altitude. It's no surprise then that after one set of stereotypes from the Tulsi-Pravati era, which seems long gone, comes another that seems to have flooded the idiot box.

Ghunghat ki aad se: Flipping through channels at any point in time, one will definitely come across women with loads of sindoor, heavy saris and ghunghats firmly placed on their heads. So much so, for the uninitiated, the shows might all appear to be the same. Balika Vadhu, Uttaran, Sapna Babul Ka Bidaai, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Choti Bahu, and Pratigya ' the list just goes on and on. If one were to see the heroines without their mandatory ghunghats, then recognising them would be a tall order.

Bad's better: Maybe it's just the way the characters are written, but bad is certainly better on the idiot box. If the lead actors are mere caricatures who have to shed tears by the buckets, then the villains who actually make for better viewing. Ammaji is the prime focus in Laado..., who is Sia anyway? Archana's mother-in-law hogs the limelight in Pavitra Rishta while the daughter-in-law is somewhere around, crying may be. Loha Singh in Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo evokes more interest than the hero, Shekhar. Need we say more?

Hero? Where's he?: Ever since the saga of soaps on Indian television began, it's the heroine who has been the hero in the true sense. Though there is a male lead to fill in the blanks, it's his female counterpart who has the meatier parts in the show. Why do guys get the raw deal? How many of you actually remember characters like Alekh, Ranvir (Sapna Babul Ka Bidaai), Naitik (Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai), Sooryakamal (Do Hanso Ka Joda), Shekhar (Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo), Karan (Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli), Manav (Pavitra Rishta), Abhi (12/24 Karol Bagh), Vinay (Bhagyavidhaata), Raghav (Na Ana Is Des Mere Laado). Chances are they'll probably be relegated to being romantic props...

High point weddings: If there is to be a major twist in the drama, what better way to introduce one than by planning an elaborate wedding sequence? Indian television is not done with excesses. A major change in the protagonist's life happens only during wedding sequences. Ichcha and Tapasya's lives turn topsy turvy at the wedding. Manav and Archana are separated just as their shaadi is complete. A double murder takes place in Agle Janam during Ratna's nuptial are just a few examples. The trend that started with Mihir's much-talked about return in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi during Tulsi and Anupam's wedding, is still continuing today.

Socially relevant: All shows begin with a bang by saying they are socially relevant 'child marriage, female infanticide, intercast marriages, colour prejudices etc. But seven to eight months later, the storyline is anything but what it started off being. Jyoti started off as a story of a middle class girl being the sole breadwinner of the family. What she is doing right now is anyone's guess. Instead of fighting child marriages, Balika Vadhu is focusing on an old flame. Surrogate motherhood in Agle Janam is replaced by a murder mystery. Ample examples on the telly will prove that a few twists and turns later, the storyline becomes same old stuff you've seen before.

Is it any wonder then that the remote control has often been termed as a lifesaver?

You make excellent points. What do you think will happen to Laali and Sumitra's relationship as no man ie Shekhar is helping her but Sumitra is pulling out all the stops to rescue Laali and save her life and keep her out of prison. I think as time goes by we will see femaie characters on this show get strong and more vocal. Siddy will become the top female villain on the show. Gangiya will also become more evil. Perhaps we might even find the most submissive female character - Jamuni really come into her own and grow up and see her mother for what she really is. Laali's character has really been made more submissive since the beginning of the show as has Sumitra who often gets her arm twisted by Loha if she falls out of line. Baksarvalli is often slapped and pushed by Ranvijay in front of her kids. It would be nice if all the women in the show were seen as more brave and gutsy. Especially Laali who actually falls silent when Shekhar talks to her like she's lost her voice or something but she can pull out and manhandle a big guy like Mukul when he was trying to rape Jamuni.

Wow! What a great post, and I concur w/ KF when it is said that this is the most erudite one we have had the chance to read on this forum...well done Zaara.

Please comment on everything you find relevant, we will be eager to read it.

Especially Laali who actually falls silent when Shekhar talks to her like she's lost her voice or something but she can pull out and manhandle a big guy like Mukul when he was trying to rape Jamuni.

That is one heckuva point KF...I didn't think of that...

The way she pulled Mukul the rapist out of the SUV was really something, esp. as she's so petite!

Very very good point, KF!

its a article its not written by me dear

how is loha better than shekhar?😕

If not written by you, then kudos to the original author! Well done!

Excellent points made...thanks for posting Zaara.

Very nice article. and I agree with most aspects, thr shows start of with one theme and in few months the storyline is somewhere which no one ever predicted before. But I guess if they just follow that 1 theme the show would rap up ip few months,m becuase there would be no story.

And YES these Ghunghat's definitely drive half the storyline's these days😡 it's becoming soo boring now!!

And agree with heroines ruing tele all the way, they may be some actors once in a while who will have some limelight but most of the times it's just our heroines.
And yes the supporting actors too are getting their fare share as their roles r veryyy unique and strong like Loha's. And Shekhar's character is like every other hero on tv.

Thanks for the article. A great read.

Originally posted by: zaara_kzk

its a article its not written by me dear

Who wrote the original article? Where did you get it from? Thx for posting it.