DC: Gay no longer a tabboo on tube!

While the country is just about starting to warm up to the issue of homosexuality in Hindi cinema, here's a piece of work that dares to usher in the bold theme straight into your living room. Maryada Lekin Kab Tak, the late night show on Star Plus, has been enjoying a good run for quite a while now. Although the basic premise of the show is not exactly the taboo of same-sex attraction.

In fact, the serial tells the story of four women who form the central characters and it is through their individual tales that other issues are portrayed in the serial. Surprisingly, for all its controversial content, the stories are set in the backdrop of Haryana, which is considered one of the most conservative states of the country. But there's a reason for it. Says Damini Shetty, creative director of the serial, "Haryana, because of its conservative nature, provides a dramatic contrast to the story and the characters. Because our approach to the issues is modern." Also, the issue of homosexuality has been addressed in a rather different manner from the usual cinema. "While homosexuality is generally linked to metropolitan lifestyle, there are people in middle-class society who hide themselves behind the conservative lifestyle. The core idea of the show is to bring out these contrasts and draw a more realistic picture of human emotions," adds Damini.

The serial uses the central women characters to explore the parallel plot of the male characters. "Each character has a story to narrate. Since women are the crux of daily soaps in our country, it is important that we keep them as the main protagonists. But unlike any other show, our male characters have a parallel story in the show. While the theme focuses on the reality in the life of women, it also brings out the emotions of men such as Daksh (who plays a gay guy in the serial)," says Damini.

But is the quintessential middle-class Indian viewer ready for such "forward" views? Damini says that the journey so far has been a smooth one. "Audience has taken the message in a good way and that inspires innovation in content," she says. But given its late night slot, the show has managed a limited audience. "We have acquired a loyal viewership despite the time slot and the bold content," she says.