The serial maniacs

Visiting an average home, at any time from Monday to Sunday, you will find many family members idling away hours seated in front of the ‘idiot box’.

You will question, what are they doing? And the only answer you will probably get: They are enjoying (digesting) serials in Bangla, Hindi or English on satellite TV channels.

This is a regular phenomenon in many Bangladeshi homes these days.
 
Totally oblivious to the surroundings, most of the household, especially the women, are found totally absorbed in their TV screens, usually from 6pm to 11am, with the remote control in firm clasp. Any attempt ‘to take away’ the remote control will simply lead to ‘World War III’.

Now, when television viewers are asked which serials are their most favourite, they will answer unequivocally: “Why?” Then they will proceed to name several foreign-made dramas.
 
Alas! There is no Bangladeshi serial on their mind. When asked why not, they will not give any reason. When pointed out that the foreign serials that they watch are alien to our culture or society, most series ‘maniacs’ will answer: “That does not matter or bother us.”

This made me curious to check out some popular serials on TV.

The first one I saw _ on an Indian channel _ a woman was carrying a baby in her womb for her ex-husband’s present wife.
 Well readers, you may think what’s wrong with this scenario? Nothing wrong, but is it possible?
 
Please don’t get me wrong. I just find it strange that people keep on watching such unrealistic stories seven days a week, for six to seven years! They don’t even get bored.

What is the success behind such serials? I must say those who write the scripts must think people are all duffers. But what do I know? They are enjoying so much success, they have no headache about the storyline. So, the writer is right. They know about people’s taste. If not, then why would people enjoy these serials day after day?  

On an Indian Bangla channel, an endless series goes on where people watch a man who has two women in his life. He was married to both of them. When one (the heroine) divorced him, he married the other and then divorced her, too. And now, the first one is waiting to marry him again. What a story!

The entire storyline of the series centers round marriage, divorce, remarriage and re-divorce _ horrible things, indeed. And we are digesting all this ‘rubbish’ easily, without any hesitation.

Dear serial lovers, I would like to mention some more serials (don’t get bored please) where beautiful actresses, wearing heavy make-up, clad in gorgeous sarees and covered in jewelries 24 hours a day, play the main character who will have to go through ‘agniporiksha’ (acid test) to prove a point as her mother-in-law and husband never believe her. They have always treated her badly, but she keeps forgiving them and forgets everything for the sake of family values. What an ideal wife, I must say.  

Funny thing is that the men in the series are always hypocrites. They have no job nor do they make any contribution to the family, they just stay at home all day beside their mother. They are always pardoned for doing misdeeds, but if a wife makes the slightest mistake, it will be doomsday for her.

By the way, the women are villains in all the serials. She can be a mother-in-law, a sister-in-law or the ‘other’ woman. Their only job is to conspire against the heroine, and if she is a new bride, make her life as horrible as possible. Most of them sleep, cook, eat and die in party attire _ silk saree and gold jewelry, full make-up and hairdo. They always seem ready to visit anywhere. No extra time needed to dress up!  

I still don’t understand why viewers don’t tire of watching these serials?

What about Bangladeshi serials? I have heard they are of better standard than their Indian cousins.  Although, some viewers also alleged that local serials have also lost credibility as they tend to follow their Hindi counterparts.

Once, serials like ‘Kachher Manush’, ‘Labonno Prova’, ‘Romijer Ayna’, ‘Lal Nil Beguni’, ‘Sopnochura’, ‘Bandhon’ etc were very popular on Bangladesh satellite channels. They were well-scripted and well-acted. A welcome break from the non-stop conflicts between in-laws of Indian dramas!  

Unlike Hindi serials, where one or two characters are popular, every character was a hit in the Bangladeshi ones. And they starred talented actors Suborna, Mimi, Afzal, Humayun Faridi, Sumaiya Shimu, Nawsheen, Tinni, Apurvo, Pran Roy and Milon.

There is no end to the taste or curiosity of viewers. But they have some responsibility, too. We cannot stop them from watching any series or movies, as they have the right to make their own choices.

I am not against any serial, nor have I declared any war against them. But as a concerned citizen, I would just like to make people aware about it.

 

The serial maniacs

Visiting an average home, at any time from Monday to Sunday, you will find many family members idling away hours seated in front of the idiot box. You will question, what are they doing? And the only answer you will probably get: They are enjoying (digesting) serials in Bangla, Hindi or English on satellite TV channels. This is a regular phenomenon in many Bangladeshi homes these days. Totally oblivious to the surroundings, most of the household, especially the women, are found totally absorbed in their TV screens, usually from 6pm to 11am, with the remote control in firm clasp. Any attempt to take away the remote control will simply lead to World War III. Now, when television viewers are asked which serials are their most favourite, they will answer unequivocally: Why? Then they will proceed to name several foreign-made dramas. Alas! There is no Bangladeshi serial on their mind. When asked why not, they will not give any reason. When pointed out that the foreign serials that they watch are alien to our culture or society, most series maniacs will answer: That does not matter or bother us. This made me curious to check out some popular serials on TV. The first one I saw _ on an Indian channel _ a woman was carrying a baby in her womb for her ex-husbands present wife. Well readers, you may think whats wrong with this scenario? Nothing wrong, but is it possible? Please dont get me wrong. I just find it strange that people keep on watching such unrealistic stories seven days a week, for six to seven years! They dont even get bored. What is the success behind such serials? I must say those who write the scripts must think people are all duffers. But what do I know? They are enjoying so much success, they have no headache about the storyline. So, the writer is right. They know about peoples taste. If not, then why would people enjoy these serials day after day? On an Indian Bangla channel, an endless series goes on where people watch a man who has two women in his life. He was married to both of them. When one (the heroine) divorced him, he married the other and then divorced her, too. And now, the first one is waiting to marry him again. What a story! The entire storyline of the series centers round marriage, divorce, remarriage and re-divorce _ horrible things, indeed. And we are digesting all this rubbish easily, without any hesitation. Dear serial lovers, I would like to mention some more serials (dont get bored please) where beautiful actresses, wearing heavy make-up, clad in gorgeous sarees and covered in jewelries 24 hours a day, play the main character who will have to go through agniporiksha (acid test) to prove a point as her mother-in-law and husband never believe her. They have always treated her badly, but she keeps forgiving them and forgets everything for the sake of family values. What an ideal wife, I must say. Funny thing is that the men in the series are always hypocrites. They have no job nor do they make any contribution to the family, they just stay at home all day beside their mother. They are always pardoned for doing misdeeds, but if a wife makes the slightest mistake, it will be doomsday for her. By the way, the women are villains in all the serials. She can be a mother-in-law, a sister-in-law or the other woman. Their only job is to conspire against the heroine, and if she is a new bride, make her life as horrible as possible. Most of them sleep, cook, eat and die in party attire _ silk saree and gold jewelry, full make-up and hairdo. They always seem ready to visit anywhere. No extra time needed to dress up! I still dont understand why viewers dont tire of watching these serials? What about Bangladeshi serials? I have heard they are of better standard than their Indian cousins. Although, some viewers also alleged that local serials have also lost credibility as they tend to follow their Hindi counterparts. Once, serials like Kachher Manush, Labonno Prova, Romijer Ayna, Lal Nil Beguni, Sopnochura, Bandhon etc were very popular on Bangladesh satellite channels. They were well-scripted and well-acted. A welcome break from the non-stop conflicts between in-laws of Indian dramas! Unlike Hindi serials, where one or two characters are popular, every character was a hit in the Bangladeshi ones. And they starred talented actors Suborna, Mimi, Afzal, Humayun Faridi, Sumaiya Shimu, Nawsheen, Tinni, Apurvo, Pran Roy and Milon. There is no end to the taste or curiosity of viewers. But they have some responsibility, too. We cannot stop them from watching any series or movies, as they have the right to make their own choices. I am not against any serial, nor have I declared any war against them. But as a concerned citizen, I would just like to make people aware about it.