The olden day television shows, especially soaps/teleserials were usually associated with stories webbed around atte-sose, family dramas, love stories and revenge sagas with some comedy soaps for relief. A majority of such shows still rule the roost, sustaining majority of its overall viewership, yet there have been some meaningful changes too. These are story-lines and promotions that come with a social message. Highlighting sensitive issues that exist in society, they enter the living room of the TV watcher, and sensitise the ordinary individual. Bengaluru Chronicle reports on these changes which have become the talking point on Kannada television.
“Television for ages has been THE medium of entertainment. It has rarely conveyed stories with a focus on social causes. Family dramas have always been the number one choice for makers, as it is the women who constitute the majority of the audience in India television. As the channels are constantly making an effort to attract the younger generations, it has led to a change in its stand over making new shows. For instance, the serial Kamali shows a village girl studying in a city, and creates awareness against ragging,” Ashwini, an associate director, elaborates.
That’s not all, the channel airing the show took the opportunity to campaign on the cause by holding a series of programmes in college. “It served a dual purpose — to popularise the show and create awareness against ragging through the best mode, entertainment,” she adds.
“Ragging is an issue plaguing educational institutions throughout the country, and through this campaign, we reached out to students in a unique attempt to inform them on the harmful repercussions. The campaign involved theatre performances and postcard distributions, and also featured skits performed by a four-member troupe that showcased how ragging can negatively impact one’s life. Following the skit and games, Kamali-styled postcards were distributed to students, containing a helpline number for those affected. Featuring an anti-ragging message, these postcards urged the affected students to speak out and share their experiences,” says Raghavendra Hunsur of Zee Kannada on Kamali’s novel approach.
In the serial Brahmagantu, a bold step led to casting a female lead character with a real difference. “Body shaming is something which concerns all, irrespective of age and gender. The serial has done wonders with the main character played by an overweight girl, and goes through how she takes up day-to-day challenges in life. It is not just the pretty faces, but even ordinary characters with real issues that are slowly making their way forward. They are as popular as any masala dramas,” says Srinivas, a TV programmer.
In Muddulalakshmi, a saga of two sisters with different skin colour, the focus turns to the fair versus dark debate. “The serial talks about the importance of values over skin colour. It is again, a great initiative which has a greater relevance in society,” says Harish, an actor, adding that in Jo Jo Laali, the subject of surrogacy was also appreciated. “Most women in rural area would not have heard of the concept. Serials like these which carry a social message are the need of the hour,” he signs off.
