When I first read that the information and broadcast ministry has slapped a notice under section six and other sections of the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 to the owners of Big Boss, I was taken aback. If the entire concept of the show is ‘people being themselves’ in a home, how can there be a problem? Do we not want to see (or do we not have the guts to accept) how we are, when we are being ourselves?
Agreed, there was violent behaviour, and agreed that it is not acceptable. But lets play it fair here. There have been many such shows before now, which more lewd and less real and got away with it. I am referring to the many music channels of today who are taking youngistan to a sleaze ride these days. Why is it that this new reality has come under the scanner?
For that matter, what was so wrong with Sach ka Saamna for it to be taken off air. The question, we debated over coffee in office, was not of nudity there. It was about moral nudity. Or simply – the truth. If our truths are as much needy of being hidden, is there not a problem with the way we behave or what we have accepted as speakable? We are all aware of extra marital affair and can think of at least think of one person who you know for sure does something immoral ranging from bribery to infedility. Then why cant we TALK about it in the open?
These censors, far from being capable of judging what is appropriate for viewership, actually hide a poignant debate – is such censorship a breeding ground of broader social problems? Poor levels of sex education leading to high rate of HIV infections, issues related to gender ratio and discrimination too! May I say, ignorance is not always bliss.
As a society, for generations, we have chosen to hide our dirt under the carpet and lock our truths inside closets. Proudly so? And what is this double standard all about? The ministry (and me too) found nothing wrong in a woman conducting her swayamwar. Everyone knew it was not a swayamwar but a comedy circus. Didn't we all simply love laughing at the expense of someone? If thats okay, why is this wrong?
It is almost like we live in a make believe world. A world where everything is either happy or has a happy ending. I ain't an advocate of Big Boss, for I do feel that much is being done in that show for the sake of showmanship. But to take it off air for its brutal honestly (or 'show' of honesty) seems like one is being a little too judgemental, and sorrily self-defensive.
Why live in a world of pretence? After all, it is better to be hated for what you are, than to be loved for what you are not!
What say?
Agreed, there was violent behaviour, and agreed that it is not acceptable. But lets play it fair here. There have been many such shows before now, which more lewd and less real and got away with it. I am referring to the many music channels of today who are taking youngistan to a sleaze ride these days. Why is it that this new reality has come under the scanner?
For that matter, what was so wrong with Sach ka Saamna for it to be taken off air. The question, we debated over coffee in office, was not of nudity there. It was about moral nudity. Or simply – the truth. If our truths are as much needy of being hidden, is there not a problem with the way we behave or what we have accepted as speakable? We are all aware of extra marital affair and can think of at least think of one person who you know for sure does something immoral ranging from bribery to infedility. Then why cant we TALK about it in the open?
These censors, far from being capable of judging what is appropriate for viewership, actually hide a poignant debate – is such censorship a breeding ground of broader social problems? Poor levels of sex education leading to high rate of HIV infections, issues related to gender ratio and discrimination too! May I say, ignorance is not always bliss.
As a society, for generations, we have chosen to hide our dirt under the carpet and lock our truths inside closets. Proudly so? And what is this double standard all about? The ministry (and me too) found nothing wrong in a woman conducting her swayamwar. Everyone knew it was not a swayamwar but a comedy circus. Didn't we all simply love laughing at the expense of someone? If thats okay, why is this wrong?
It is almost like we live in a make believe world. A world where everything is either happy or has a happy ending. I ain't an advocate of Big Boss, for I do feel that much is being done in that show for the sake of showmanship. But to take it off air for its brutal honestly (or 'show' of honesty) seems like one is being a little too judgemental, and sorrily self-defensive.
Why live in a world of pretence? After all, it is better to be hated for what you are, than to be loved for what you are not!
What say?
Good job buddy...I also believe that you should have balls to accept what the reality is....There are many other things to be regulated i.e. corruption, bribery and so on, rather than taking away the rights from the people what they want to see....
ReplyDeleteAmazing trail of thoughts....it really made me think.
ReplyDeleteSo true...This shud give a feel to think Are we really hypocrites--accepting what we say when we are on our own .....but cant see the same thing on media....
ReplyDeleteDo we need to change .... or society forces us to do so.....
lingering thoughts......
Irrespective of the ideaology behind the ban, I belive the viewers like me will heave a sigh of relief saying "good riddance". So poor is the show, in thought and design, that it doesn't deserve your intellectual attention. On the pretext of opening our mindsets and our closets in this case, a lot of trash has been allowed to float for a little too long. This verdict should act as a guiding light for the industry to create some 'meaningful, socially reforming' entertainment. Just have a look at "Lapataganj/ Taarak Mehta ka Ulta Chashma" aired on SAB TV during prime time and you will belive that there is scope for creating healthy entertainment.
ReplyDelete~ YogaN, Yogesh Gandhi.