This article is not only about the current Ishqbaaaz controversy itself. But why we think Ishqbaaaz depicts a problem in our current cultural scenario. And the living examples and reasons why Indian Television should change how they depict women and men in their shows.
Ishqbaaz Promo:
There are numerous parallel thoughts in my mind about the recent Ishqbaaaz promo where SSO screamed some pretty harsh words at Annika and insulted her like no man or human should do to another.
I do not want to give credence or importance to such definitions of a woman, because to me a mistress is just a meaningless label, as are words like w$*re, b!$ch, etc. And in the worst moments of my life and many other women I know, such abusive words have been used against women.
When some men bent on controlling the women have used such words and also followed up with extremely controlling actions including verbal, physical, financial and emotional abuse.
Such words in our definition comes under emotional abuse, because they are meant to bring a human down by attacking their dignity.
But the parallel thought that runs along with the affront that I felt at Annika getting abused with such words, is the equally powerful thought that each of us can resist the urge to get involved in the drama of such abusive words.
Any man, woman or child, when under the assault of verbal abuse or any other form of abuse has the power to get out of the weight of such oppressive words or actions.
Because such words do not define us. If someone calls us a mistress, w$*re, b!$ch, [email protected], etc., it doesn’t make us one. And when someone uses such words, it shows the negative low emotions the abuser is feeling and has nothing to do with the person getting insulted.
So my urge to every woman, man or child who hears such words is to think about what they represent in life, who they are in life and not about what the abuser, society or world thinks about them.
From this redux it’s proved that Gul can’t think anything new … nor show anything new. She grinds the same dough with new faces that’s it . This time it’s pathetic and worst .
From the real life inspirations yup JK Rowling’s life from what to what !! Lovely 😊!! Expecting it in ITV is a big Nooooo.. and let them not do it also
I really appreciate u for writing this one!👏
N I respect u more for the way u have written it. In this age of pseudo feminism, u have made sure to write from the point of view of both men n women, u have included one man as well who is an example to follow….its really commendable! These days, in every walk of life, only female’s pains n abuses n problems n issues r focused on n men are simply ignored. I, myself being a female, disapprove this kinda feminism. Due to some real bechari females, even the cunning kinda ladies r generalised to be becharis, whereas due to some bad men, the whole men community is generalised to be irresponsible n these feminists treat men as if each of them is born with a sole motive to disrespect women.
In these TV reviews too, only female’s sides r discussed. How a female is abused on screen n how that should be stopped for the betterment of women is discussed, but hardly anybody discusses anything like how a man is portrayed with a disgrace which should be stopped. As much as i protest abuse on women, I protest the bad characterisation of men.
N as for ishqbaaz, I liked this show for its bonds like shivomru or aniomru…but for some reason, I could never ever like Shivika. No matter how much khidkitod they tried to present Annika as, but it was always a jerk shivaay who manipulated Annika who gave in to him. N the way they got married, I could never understand how she could fall in love with him. I really detest Gul shows for such marriages n the post marriage relations. N now this is the new low that they have stopped to. Idk what’s their fascination with this word mistress. It’s really cringe inducing.
I hope more n more media portal writers like u write such articles that force these makers to show better things than praising this stupid so-called intense romance!
A very hard hitting article! Oprah is one of my personal favourites!Her story is an inspiration!
As for IB & Shivika story, except blind fans no one else can defend what they showed originally or even now! It’s abuse & control dresses up as romance and love! The producer, writer & channel are just making money out of people’s addiction to poorly written fiction that glorify abuse and control and show men as able to get away with insulting and demeaning woman. It’s truly disgusting in this day and age!
Star Plus is one of the worst channels on ITV with another one of their show’s currently showing physical abuse of a female lead as well. Here it’s mental abuse! But abuse it is!
I applaud you for writing this article braving the backlash of blind fanatics! Good on you! Continue to write the truth. You will get some backlash but mostly appreciation! Because at the end of the day truth prevails! I too hope ITV improve their content and stop playing to the lowest common denominator for ratings!
I so agree with you on this. I just hope they way the makers have been depicting the Reduxed Shivika as mature individuals, hope they handle the situations sensibly n maturely unlike the previous version where owing to Anikas circumstances n her lonely past and her strong relation n understanding developed with SSO, she cudnt help bt fall for SSO first n support him.
Thanx Nivedita for the article and for such beautiful examples….
IB has hit a new low with this track and it just reiterates one point..that at the end of the day its just plain economics that matters…nobody is here to change or work for the betterment of the society, least of all ITV producers…they only understand sensationalism sells and they can go to any extent for the purpose, even it means making the ML stooping down to this level…more cringeworthy is the fact that the same girl shall be shown falling head over heels in love with her abuser in days to come…if in 2018 one of the most followed and loved shows serves this, its really a very grim situation out there..
All good stuff have to be done on web series, because Indian TV has nothing good on it!!!!