Posted:
Dear Sumeet
Diya aur Baati is the first ever hindi serial I have seen in my life. I came upon it by accident over the Christmas holidays. I was hooked by the concept and the story line with such a powerful and socially relevant message. But above all the love story of Sandhya and Sooraj- an intellect and a halwai!
I then found and watched the back episodes and it was beautiful, the way the story developed and progressed, the beautiful execution, the wonderful cast and such good acting by Bhabo, Sandhya and my favourite Sooraj. Obviously the main thing was the relationship between Sandhya and Sooraj. But the contrast in the mother/son relationship and that of Minakshi/ Vikram and mother/family was equally gripping as was the rather rustic uncouth nature of Bhabo. I have watched the back episodes twice over and was really looking forward.
But alas it has come to a screeching halt and you have scared the bejusus out of me.
The last week has been horrifying; more than that disturbing. The way you have shown Bhabo is beyond belief and standards of good taste. She has berated, harangued, man handled, pushed, shoved, abused and mentally tortured her daughter in law. She insulted her in front of all the neighbours and then the press. She has been shown to evict a young girl with no family or friends out of her home, forcibly made her carry a bag full of heavy books, a suitcase and 6 boxes of jewellery. Not one member of the family uttered a word. She has made a mockery of marriage. For her Bindris are as dispensable as sarees. Daugher in laws are dime a dozen, throw one out at the slightest infarction, bring another one. She can arrange one in 15 days! The sons have no say!
After her ranting for 7 days, we have Sooraj speak for 3 minutes to say that he loves and trusts his wife.
Instead of accepting that her son may be right and perhaps she should try and consider his side (the son that she loves more than anything and who she trusts above all) we have her start another round of ranting torture. Today's episode was even more disturbing. She was shown to yield her power over her son and daughter in law to completely subjugate, manipulate and control them. This is the pattern of a bully and abusive personality.
What is really disturbing and even more chilling is that you are spreading the view that her behavior is justified because she has been lied to and cheated and also that she was jailed on false allegations. You have Sooraj saying that she is correct and Sandhya (of all the people!) readily agreeing and starting on a mission of abject apologies.
Please do not propagate that this is socially acceptable and that this should be condoned and admired in the name of motherly love and respect. This is not respect for elders.
Violence and aggression (both passive and active) towards women is wrong no matter what their crime may be.
Both Sandhya and Minakshi would be considered to be victims of domestic violence and torture which are punishable offences under Indian law. Her conduct towards Sooraj today will be deemed to be mental cruelty.
This should not be pandered as entertainment. There are many ways of telling a story or making a point. It need not be crass and open violence.
I really really like DUBH. So please bring it back on track and show us how the two totally different worlds reconcile and move forward taking their backward mother with them.
Once again, it is a beautiful, poignant and powerful story and has the makings of being an epic- please do not lose the plot now!
And PLEASE do not let it degenerate into another Saas Bahu farce. Give some space and footage to men too!
Optimistically best wishes.
Avidfan
Sampoorna
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