TV embraces the message
Critics may call them regressive, but in their own way, our telly soaps are trying to deal with the issues that count. Whether it's second marriages (Balika Vadhu), surrogacy (Sasural Simar Ka), abusive relationships (Saubhagyavati Bhava), dealing with cancer (Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai), the travails of single parenthood (Bade Achhe Lagte Hain) or terrorism (Diya Aur Baati Hum), shows are setting aside kitchen politics and keeping viewers hooked with 'real issues'.
Krystle D'Souza, who plays Jeevika in Ek Hazaaron Mein... , says there has been an attempt to "balance entertainment with issues that are relevant to our audience" with the latest developments on the show. Explaining how Jeevika decides to abort her unborn first child just so she can be a bone marrow donor to her leukemia-struck sister Maanvi, Krystle says, "If you have a chance to save someone's life, then you have to make that choice. That's the message."
On Diya Aur... , message that alert individuals can foil terrorists was incorporated as "terrorism is a reality we live with," said a Star Plus representative. Even Priya in Bade Achhe Lagte Hain dealt with a breast cancer scare and depicted the vulnerability of a working single mother.
