Welcoming the other
Dec 24, 2013 - Natasha Coutinho | Age Correspondent
Our saas-bahu soaps have long been maligned as regressive (at worst) and un-original (at best). But of late, several of these shows seem to have adopted a fairly progressive trend: the depiction of inter-community marriages. So in Diya Aur Baati Hum, a Catholic bride is accepted into the bosom of a highly traditional Rajasthani parivar, while it's a Punjabi-Rajasthani wedding that's the highlight on the latest track on Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. An unusually real portrayal of an "across the Vindhyas" romance (Punjabi man, Tamilian girl) is being showcased in Yeh Hai Mohabbatein, while Firangi Bahu sees a Gujarati family embracing their son's foreign wife.
The shows are depicting the cross-cultural factors that can arise in such alliances, and all the problems that going against social mores can cause. But hearteningly, by showcasing the liberal and accepting sides of conventional Indian families, they're also sending out a positive message. Telly industry professionals feel this is a small, but significant step, and indicative of a larger (social) mindset change.
"TV, today, is breaking taboos and entering a more realistic space. It is helping bring change in the mindset in rural and urban India and I wanted to be part of a show that propagates an evolved thought process," says Divyanka Tripathi, who plays "Tam-Bram" Ishita Iyer in Yeh Hai Mohabbatein. Ishita's character will be shown marrying single dad Raman (played by Karan Patel) who belongs to a boisterous Punjabi family. "I think marriage is about compatibility. I represent the new, young India and completely support inter-caste marriage," Divyanka says.
Yet another actor who believes that TV shows have found a good cause to support, with this latest trend, is Varunn Jain, who plays Mohit in Diya Aur Baati Hum. Mohit marries a Catholic girl, Emily, and several episodes on the show were devoted to how his conservative family accepts his wife. "What is being portrayed in the show is something I agree with. I think this is a really good way for communities to learn to respect each other," he says.
Interestingly, most of these shows have depicted the social opposition and adjustment issues that couples in inter-community marriages face, and how supportive families can help. That's precisely what is being seen in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. Actors Karan Mehra (Naitik) and Yash Gera (Shaurya) are happy at the way the story is progressing. "What we're showing is that society has evolved," says Yash. "It does take time for traditional families to accept these things. But then love triumphs." Karan feels that as the target audience for TV evolves, the content being broadcast is also reflecting the change. "We now live in a world where there is a mixing of cultures, and society is accepting of it. It's good that we are doing away with orthodox beliefs," Karan says.
The entire premise for Firangi Bahu is this mixing of cultures that Karan has talked about. Sippora Zoutewelle, who plays the Western bride who marries into a Gujarati family, hopes that shows like hers will inspire people to be more accepting. "It's not easy to become a perfect bahu for sure," Sippora says, laughingly alluding to the cultural clash. Producer Vipul Shah says Firangi Bahu is a celebration of India's diversity. "We are trying to show that there is nothing wrong in marrying someone who doesn't belong' to your culture. Love shouldn't have any boundaries, it is bigger and more powerful than any cultural demarcations," he adds.
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