Inflation has compelled
people to seek alternatives to spend weekends and their free time. TV channels
are cashing in on the opportunity and airing newer shows which would cater to
the tastes of all members in a household. Some channels like Zee, Sony, Colors,
Life OK flaunt a plethora of shows , a buffet from which each member of the
family can choose a show of their liking.
What amazes me is the rise
in period dramas - the talk of the town being the innovative promotions and
larger than life sets of Mahabharat! The newspapers,some months ago, divulged
the mega budgets of period dramas on Hindi General Entertainment channels. Why
the sudden affinity for epics? What about these shows attract television
consumers?
Majority, when asked about
their reasons for watching these shows, rationalize by saying that they are
educative and informative. But is that a good enough reason to explain the
escalating rating points and inception of new period dramas? Some speak about
the grandiose of the production values. But what is it really that triggers the
eagerness to watch the show? I wonder more so because the content of the show
has its limitations. The writers do not have the liberty to twist the plot or
add scenes which audiences favor. The current viewers are well read, observant
and evolved. They are practical and expect a certain quality from the
shows that they watch....So then is this pragmatic attitude a reason why
viewers prefer true stories with war heroes?
Television has always been
the viewers world away from their world - an escape from the monotony of
their daily routine. Shows act out their repressed emotions. They visualize
themselves in the shoes of some characters and wish they could become like
some. This empathy and aspiration are a result of the situation that the
characters find themselves in and its relevance to the viewers lives. Shows are
a route to tackle these situations heads on (through the medium of a character)
which in real life they elude.
For years, psychologists
have debated the influence of nature versus nurture and proven that the
external factors have as much influence over ones actions, emotions and
behavior as intrinsic factors / heredity does...I was thinking about the
current situation of our country and how has it disrupted the lives of every
resident. The upward trajectory of crime and corruption has aggrieved commoners
beyond relief. The country seems to be drowning in the tide of injustice. In
the last couple of years, we have seen it all - terrorist attacks, peace
marches, candle marches, rape cases, scams...It is bound the pressurize the
human psyche. The constant bombarding of unjust, painful and irreversible
situations has left the Indian population in a frenzy. We revolted, wrote
letters to the President, organized peace marches and now we have reached a
point where we have become complacent and accepted the injustice as a part of
our destiny. Everyday the newspapers cry out gruesome stories of killings, rape
cases, abductions...The experience or knowledge of such injustice can be
emotionally paralyzing. It annihilates the notion of justice and leaves us
feeling helpless and resigned. In trying times a religious country like ours
inadvertently starts seeking something that they can place their faith in.
Perhaps a super power that can save humanity or a warrior, a savior. At this
point, I cannot help but recite the stanza from the movie Tridev :
"Paap se dharti
phati...
Adharm se aasman...
Atyacharon se kaapi
insaniyat...
Raj kar rahe hai
haiwani..."
A sentiment experienced by
almost all Indians at present. So what do we wish for in a situation that is
beyond our control...?
"Paritranaya
Sadhunaam....
Vinashayachya
Dushkrutaam...
Dharmasansthapanarthaya...
Sambhawami
yuge...yuge.."
(The famous verse recited
by Lord Krishna to Arjun : to deliver the pious, annhilate the miscreants and
when the wrong doings outweigh the influences of religion He will intervene in
some form)
Period drama does just
that. They reassure viewers that ‘in the end, there will be justice’. Mythology
tends to win over people easily. It is a safe harbor that helps rest anxieties
as the visual depictions of Gods (saviors) rekindles faith, trust and an
overall feeling of being protected - secured by a power far larger than you.
Shows like Mahabharat, Mahadev thus work well.
Shows like Jodha Akbar, Maharana
Pratap, Shivaji yet again echo similar sentiments. The bravado of an individual
and his ability to fight in order to safeguard his people and his empire is
aspirational and reassures viewers that saviors have emerged in the past and so
will they in the future. Someone will change the situation for them. These war
heroes or Demi Gods act out their repressed emotions of rebellion and outburst
against injustice.
I was sifting through the
television rating points for these shows soon after the Delhi and Mumbai rape
cases which led to an outrage among the Indians. I noticed that the week after
the Mumbai rape case came to light the ratings for Jodha Akbar soared by 1000
points almost - a need for a strong woman warrior perhaps? Or an aspirational
figure who inspite of being a woman was not demure, gullible and helpless - a
situation contradicting the current situation of women in the country.
Mahadev
which was at 2.4 in October soared to a 2.7 and stayed constant for the next 2
months. This was after the Delhi rape case which took place in December 2012.
It is a mere observation basis secondary research and might not hold true even.
I am not discarding the channels efforts to present its viewers with better
content even. It could very well be possible that the storyline introduced an
exciting twist in the tale. It is only a thought that lingers on in my mind…
I have also noticed a
rising affinity for female characters who are dutiful yet speak their minds and
are portrayed as far stronger than they were earlier. This shift from soppy,
tolerant, gullible bahus to the new age women who values her self esteem as
well as her traditions has been gradual. Having met consumers from different
parts of the country, I can confidently say that the ever tolerant, submissive
women are a passe in TV shows. They want their protagonists to retaliate. The
mythological shows also reflect the strenght of women – Jodha, Maharana Pratap’s
mother’s character. Even the new version of Mahabharat portrays a far stronger
Draupadi than the previous interpretations did. The posters depict an angered,
confident Draupadi standing amidst the Kurukshetra seeking justice. The tagline
states ‘Draupadi ke pratishodh ki mahagatha’. I found this extremely positive
and worth watching. It shouts out loud 'We are not weak..We will not tolerate injustice' - again an emotion felt by every woman today!
Therefore I say that extrinsic factors / situations play a crucial role in influencing consumer choices and decide the fate of a product / service / show.
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