The KIDNAP theory gets TRPs

In October 2016, inspired by a teleserial, a man reportedly kidnapped his relative’s son for a ransom near Varanasi. Thankfully, the child was rescued. The kidnappers later revealed that the inspiration behind the act was a serial. But another 15-year-old boy was not as lucky as he was killed in 2012 by his own friends, who followed tele-serials to hatch a plan to kidnap him for a ransom in a case in 2012 near Pune. A fashion designer in Noida is alleged to have faked her own kidnap last year, and police alleged that she was influenced by tele-serials glorifying abductions. While makers of several tele-serials justify that any repercussions of such a nature are not intentional, and are based on fictitious characters, experts feel that there should be checks and balances to restrict unnecessary glorification of any crime, fictitious or real on TV. Bengaluru Chronicle reports on the kidnappings sagas meant for entertainment.

Even as the wedding season is over with several leading characters in various Kannada tele-serials tying the knot in grand functions, a series of kidnappings sagas are trending now, for that powerful twist to a tale. While Putgowri’s father’s character in Putgowri Maduve finally escaped after months of being held captive, there are at least four more tele-serials in which lead characters have been kidnapped and tortured!

“It is again an act for Television Rating Point. When everything is sailing smoothly, the makers have to come up with a sudden twist and what better way that by adding a crime? Get the lead actor or actress or even the villain kidnapped and hold them captive. Sometimes, the saga of kidnapping and its aftermath goes on forever. For instance, Putgowri’s father was shown being held captive for a long period, and the audience almost lost hope that he will ever be a free man,” explains TV analyst Subramanya.

In Radha Ramana, the protagonist Radha has been abducted, and in Agnisakshi, the role of Kishore, who plays one of the antagonists, is held captive for several episodes after being kidnapped by the lead actor and protagonist Siddharth. Smitha’s character in Aramane is also kidnapped and held captive. There are more examples too — Lakshmi (Lacchi) in Lakshmi Baramamma just escaped from her kidnapper!

“It is not always right to blame crimes shown on TV as factors leading to crimes in reality. On the contrary, such crimes on TV are projected in such a manner that anyone involved in such acts in reality knows the consequences. Most shows highlight many good things as well, which reflect reality but those are rarely talked about. However, unnecessarily glorifying such acts should be restricted, as children and the youth have easy access to such programmes, and it can definitely affect and influence minds,” says Prashanth, a tele-serial director.

Another filmmaker Santhosh points out that shows, programmes or tele-serials especially ones based on real crime stories should be sensible, and restricted for the sake of infotainment. He feels that the broadcast regulatory authorities have improvised screening but it is the audience who has a major role in putting an end to such unwanted glorification of bad elements by simply addressing their concerns to the authorities. For contact details, every channel has made it mandatory to contact the broadcast authorities (via a scroll on TV) to air grievances and suggestions.