The idiot box. Indian television show makers seem to have taken this term far too literally.The TV scene in India is littered with shows which are an insult to the intelligence of the viewer. The best example of this is of course the soaps. Ekta Kapoor and her ilk have "revolutionized" Indian TV with shows which portray dysfunctional Indian families. The ideal setting is a joint family living in a palatial mansion. Every member of the family is perpetually dressed in festive finery and wears make up even while sleeping. The more members in the family the better. The "plot" usually centers around Ms. Perfect-Bharatiya-Naari. She is the epitome of Indian womanhood and the goddess of virtue and sacrifice. She does everything for the happiness and well being of her family and will go to any lengths to safeguard her family's honour. Then there is Ms. Evil-Scheming-Vamp. Usually clad in a see-through saari and high heels, she devotes all her time and energy towards making Ms. Perfect-Bharatiya-Naari's life a living hell. Ms. Perfect always takes the high road an takes all insults and aspersions in her stride. In between people die (only to be reincarnated later on -- usually as bar dancers in the case of women), some never die (live on for five generations of the family), ominous omens appear(glass breaks, lamps are put out etc.), people cry (a LOT), miracles happen(you get the drift right?). All in a day's work for the average Indian household.
However, the thing that is central to soaps is The Reaction Time (TRT). It is usually preceded by a member of the family pointing fingers and shouting at the top of their voice while making a serious allegation against someone else. This is done in the main hall so that every member of the family has the privilege of hearing the allegation. The TRT which ensues shows the reactions of every member of the family from ten different camera angles while the actors exercise facial tissues hitherto unknown to mankind, portraying a gamut of emotions ranging from surprise to satisfaction. The TRT also happens on a smaller scale in courtrooms, hospitals etc. (some of the other favorite haunts of the soaps)
I could go on and on with this. I wanted to cover "reality TV" as well but I will leave that for another post. I fail to understand why we cannot have shows with actual substance on Indian telly. In the days of yore, when cable TV was still years in the making, we had shows like Shanti, Surabhi, Malgudi days, Byomkesh Bakshi to name a few. These dished out information and entertainment in equal measure but more importantly they dwelled on issues which the Indian populace could identify with. Indian TV seems to have degenerated since those days. Look at the English TV shows like Friends, Prison Break and Entourage. They have plots and acting which rival that of Hollywood blockbusters. In a country of more than a billion people, isn't there even a single creative person who can come up with something original and entertaining?
Indian TV sure has a long way to go. Till then I religiously avoid the idiot box.
However, the thing that is central to soaps is The Reaction Time (TRT). It is usually preceded by a member of the family pointing fingers and shouting at the top of their voice while making a serious allegation against someone else. This is done in the main hall so that every member of the family has the privilege of hearing the allegation. The TRT which ensues shows the reactions of every member of the family from ten different camera angles while the actors exercise facial tissues hitherto unknown to mankind, portraying a gamut of emotions ranging from surprise to satisfaction. The TRT also happens on a smaller scale in courtrooms, hospitals etc. (some of the other favorite haunts of the soaps)
I could go on and on with this. I wanted to cover "reality TV" as well but I will leave that for another post. I fail to understand why we cannot have shows with actual substance on Indian telly. In the days of yore, when cable TV was still years in the making, we had shows like Shanti, Surabhi, Malgudi days, Byomkesh Bakshi to name a few. These dished out information and entertainment in equal measure but more importantly they dwelled on issues which the Indian populace could identify with. Indian TV seems to have degenerated since those days. Look at the English TV shows like Friends, Prison Break and Entourage. They have plots and acting which rival that of Hollywood blockbusters. In a country of more than a billion people, isn't there even a single creative person who can come up with something original and entertaining?
Indian TV sure has a long way to go. Till then I religiously avoid the idiot box.
nice one ..
ReplyDeletevery entertaining :)
ReplyDeleteHow true
ReplyDeletethey go to the kitchen wearing silk and diamonds. :-D