12th March 2012 was a milestone date in Indian Television
industry. The consummation episode of Bade Acche Lagte Hai (BALH ) was telecasted on Sony TV
at 10:30 pm that day. As far as I know,
the 17 minute long love making scene in the episode was first of its kind in
any Indian TV soap. The icing to the cake was a lip lock between the lead pair
Ram Kapoor and Sakshi Tanwar.
The episode stirred a huge controversy overnight even though
the indicative promos were shown well in advance. Was such a hot consummation
scene really required in the first place? Definitely yes for Ekta Kapoor to
increase the TRPs. But what about the public reaction? Various newspapers and news
channels portrayed it as an embarrassment and humiliation to viewers. Some of
whom said that they were mortified to watch the episode with their families.
Now my question to such viewers is who asked you to watch
this particular episode with your elders, other relatives or kids around? Didn’t
you take a clue from the promos? The
promo itself was so bold. Plus BALH is aired after 10 pm with a specific
audience in mind.
And I really can’t digest all those blah blah on spoiling
the kids, shame to Indian culture and stuff. If so, then what about all those
skimpily clad girls in Bollywood movies or items songs like Jalebi bai, Sheela
ki jawani, Munni badnam or Channo? What
about sexually suggestive advertisements these days? What about Sunny Leon's history and semi
named photos appearing in the news? What about all those soaps with extra
marital affairs and premarital pregnancies?
If the episode has
caused such a big mental discomfit, why BALH love making scenes were being
replayed on major news channels in the name of controversy? Why did the
newspapers publish articles about BALH with a picture of lip lock between the
lead actors?
What about Khajuraho temples? What about Kamasutra - India's
gift to the world? What about inevitable exposure to social networking sites and
internet?
At least the channel was sensitive enough to telecast the
episode as a late night show. Whether
people agree to it or not, romance and sex sell. Everyone wants to see both but
no one has guts to admit it.
Indian TV is maturing. So should the audience. It is up to them
to decide whether they want to perceive BALH consummation episode merely as sex
or celebration of love between two people.
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