Bored Of Watching Same Old TV Soaps On Extramarital Affairs, The New Indian woman Prefers Cerebrally Challenging Shows News24 –
For decades, Indian serials have thrived on family dramas and romantic love stories, keeping viewers glued to their screens. However, it appears that traditional family values have taken a significant hit. The themes of romance, marriage, and betrayal are increasingly giving way to a dominant narrative that has evolved over time. At the heart of this shift? Extramarital affairs. Once viewed as a societal taboo, they have transformed from a mere plot device into the very foundation of Indian television serials.
To trace the roots of this obsession, one must look back to 1996, when director Ajai Sinha’s groundbreaking TV show Hasratein dared to explore extramarital relationships. The series broke barriers by centering on Savi, the female protagonist, who embarks on an affair with a married man, KT. It seems, however, that today’s directors have misconstrued the idea of “breaking taboos” as an excuse for crafting insulting and distasteful plots.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi
The early 2000s were largely dominated by shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii. This era shifted the narrative towards traditional family values. TV serials like Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya, which aired in 2009, reinforced the idea of a strong woman daring to stand against various atrocities in her in-laws’ home.
But now, the Indian TV serials mostly capitalise on love triangles. Serials like ‘Anupama’ and ‘Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka’, which made a household name in 2020 and 2019, respectively, also fueled daily debates with their affair storyline. Other popular shows that dealt with infidelity include Bepannah, Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin, and Imlie. The same circle of love triangles and betrayal has been seen in ‘Haale Dil‘ now, featuring Actress and influencer Manisha Rani.
But The Big Question Is
Aren’t viewers, especially Indian housewives, getting tired of this worn-out storyline? What do they really feel about it? While extramarital affairs have no doubt shaped Indian TV drama, the demand for fresh storylines continues to grow louder. Housewives – the core audience – now want stories that explore themes like mental health struggles, authentic relationships, professional challenges, and more. Rather than over-relying on affairs, the focus of the directors should be on “What’s Next?”
How Women Responded
“I stopped watching Anupamaa the day her husband Vanraj Shah was caught with Kavya in the bedroom,” says Jyoti Singh, a 40-year-old homemaker from Barbil, Odisha. “Why was Vanraj and Kavya’s relationship accepted by the family later, even after Anupamaa had moved on? What exactly are they trying to portray?” she added.
Meanwhile, 46-year-old Bhumika, a housewife from Dehradun, Uttarakhand, said, “I started watching Haale Dil because of Manisha Rani. I really like her as a person, but it feels like Indian TV doesn’t know how to show a happy marriage anymore.”
Kayan, a homemaker from Mushidabad, West Bengal, who dedicates a few hours to television after finishing her daily chores, shared a similar view: “Every serial shows the same thing now – boy cheats, girl cries, girl forgives. Or in some cases, they move on. How many times do I have to watch this? I’ve now shifted to OTT series.”
“Women Empowerment- That Is What We Want”
“We want to see women running businesses, rather than crying over a man. Can we get a serial where she thrives?” says Kritika, a retired teacher from Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. “Pehle toh affair vagerah bhut galat maana jaata tha, positive sense mein dikhate the serial mein, ab toh jispe cheat kiya jaa raha hai, chahe ladka ho ya ladki vo apne partner ko easily maaf kardete hai. Phir, Phir Kya affair ka drama chalta rehta hai,” she added.
Muskan, a homemaker from Ranchi, Jharkhand, exposed the double standards of TV Serials, stating, “Mujhe kuch khaas yaad nahi ki mene last extra marital affair vali serial kab dekhi thi. Arre haan yaad aaya…Silsila Badalte Rishto ka mene dekhna shuru kiya, kaafi achhi lagi mujhe…Humesha next episode ka wait karti thi par jis din Nandini aur Kunal ki Shaadi hui, mene dekhna hi band kar diya. Har cheez mein zaroori nahi ki aap marital affair hi dikhao. Nandini ek weak ladki thi, usse ek strong support chahiye tha magar ye kya matlab hai ki usse best friend ka pati hi mila, ye kaisa plot hua!”
“Logo Ko Engaged Rakhne Ke Liye Aese Stories Dikhai Jaati Hai”
However, not all viewers are entirely against the concept of extra-marital affairs. A homemaker acknowledged the entertainment value in Indian TV serials. Prerna From Pune said, “Dekho serial ka matlab hi drama hota hai, logo ko engaged rakhne ke liye aese stories dikhai jaati hai. Aese nahi hai ki vo jhoot dikha rahe hai…kitne cases aap news mein dekhte hai. Mujhe lagta hai ki TV valo ko affair ke consequences bhi dikhane chahiye. Puri family pe kya affect padta hai, bacche pe kya beetti hai ye bhi dikhana chahiye na ki sirf romantic scenes. Kabhi Kabhi extra-marital betrayal nahi hoti hai kyunki hmne dekha hai bhut saare log depression mein chale jaate hai agar pyaar na mila apne partner se toh. Khud ko explore karne mein kya burai hai.”
Extramarital affairs have long served as the foundation of Indian TV serials. As core audiences, particularly housewives, embrace evolving narratives, television dramas must adapt accordingly. It is time for women’s empowerment and intricate human stories to take center stage.
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