This story is from November 12, 2014

Hindi GECs take up social issues

Small screen soap makers are no longer content with offering entertainment in their daily soaps.
Hindi GECs take up social issues
Small screen soap makers are no longer content with offering entertainment in their daily soaps.Some showmakers are taking their social responsibilities a tad seriously and turning the spotlight on relevant social issues. Shows like Balika Vadhu, Halla Bol 2, Doli Ar maanon Ki, Nisha Aur Uske Cousins, Sadda Haq -My Life My Choice, Udaan, Kaisi Yeh Yaariyan, Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Ye are talking about sexual harassment at workplace, sex abuse in children, homosexuality, child prostitution, education of the girl child, child labour and much more.

For soap makers to showcase sensitive social issues and weave it smartly in the storyline to make it appear relevant and strike a chord with the audience is quite a creative challenge. Confesses producer Sukesh Motwani whose show talks about sex abuse in children, “It is important to bring up a sensitive topic in a simple manner. It doesn't interest audience if a social cause looks forced. Some directors want to treat social issues in a direct manner, I prefer subtle treatment so that the audience doesn't find it too preachy .“
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Harshita Gaur who essays the role of a girl fighting against gender discrimination against women shares, “It is essential for us as actors to highlight burning issues. It will help in improving the scenario.“ Shashank Vyas says, “Besides entertainment, if a social message is incorporated in a show, it creates awareness about wrong practices.“
READ: Doli Armaanon Ki: Mohit Malik punches Harsh
Many actors go out of the way to raise their concern on the social causes which are projected in their respective shows. Neha Marda who plays a victim of domestic abuse in her show shows, “I took up the show as I strongly oppose domestic violence. I've even visited NGOs, campuses and given speeches on the issue.As an actor it is our responsibility to sensitise viewers and create awareness about the issues that are stumbling blocks to society's progress.“

And if taking the socially relevant route works well for Hindi GECs and helps rake in the requisite eyeballs, then that's just what the entertainment channels are looking for. After all, in showbiz, numbers do make or break shows and decide the shelflife of a soap.
HOMOSEXUALITYKAISI YEH YAARIYAAN The youth show deals with homosexuality in a sensitive manner College hottie Cabir (Ayaz Ahmed) who initially camouflages his sexual orientation comes clean about his relationship with his teacher Raghav (Rushad Rana).
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSENISHA AUR USKE COUSINS Sexual abuse of the girl child is dealt with in this show that revolves around a young girl who now fights to save her cousin from a similar fate.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCEDOLI ARMAANON KI Has been consistently dealing with domestic violence that's meted out to Urmi (Neha Marda) by her husband Samrat (Mohit Malik).Now Urmi's taken her husband to court even as she tries to find her feet in the world on her own.
GENDER BIASSADDA HAQ -MY LIFE MY CHOICE The story trails the life of Sanyukta (Harshita Gaur) and her battle against gender bias that starts from her home and continues to her engineering college. It also addresses issues like dowry and bias at the work place.
SEXUAL ABUSE AT WORKAJEEB DASTAAN HAI YEH Has just showcased an important issue, sexual harassment at workplace.Shobha (Sonali Bendre) is molested by a colleague. But in an interesting twist, her boss becomes her support and sacks the offender.
CHILD LABOURUDAAN The show revolves around Chakor (Spandan Chaturvedi), a seven year old child who's a bonded labour (which is illegal in India) at the zamindar's house and talks about her flight to freedom and need to carve her identity.
WATCH: Doli Armaanon Ki - Episode 239
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