Certain TV game shows are being hosted in a very crude manner and are hurting the sensibilities of the viewers. DUS KA DUM, being hosted by “Macho Man” Salman Khan is one such.
In the episode telecast on 21.06.08, the final runner up had been disclosed. Whereupon he called his wife, who had brought some sweets from Kolkata. Courtesy has it that, Salman should have taken it from her. Instead the lady in question, offered to put it in his mouth. Then the lady proceeded to shower encomium on the matinee idol saying that his maiden film “Maine Pyar Kiya” overwhelmed her, especially, the song sequence. Salman, never the one to amiss the opportunity, to charm a lady, told her that she should dance with him. The lady could not hide her fascination for the actor and went through the entire dance sequence, hugging him, embracing and leaving nothing to imagination. And the beleaguered husband was standing as a mute witness to the whole episode-putting up an ‘it-is-okay-with-me’ face.
The other game shows and quizzes hosted by celebrities, have been very dignified. Amittabh Bachhan during his Kaun Banega Crorepati days was the personification of dignity. Shah Rukh Khan was a brat, even then his dealings with members of the opposite sex, did not ruffle any feathers. The vast majority of viewers cannot accept what Salman has done.
There is no point in shrugging of reactions like mine as ‘old mindset’/ conservative etc. I am very much a part of India and am able to realize that the winds of change are blowing over. But it has to be gradual. One has to ready the society to accept certain changes. Individuals- separately or collectively seldom like to be told, what is to be done and what not? Nor am I taking up a moral policing stand.
The lady in question might have unbridled admiration for the actor. But when she does something in front of the camera, she must have been a little more careful. What kind of reaction this is going to produce? What will be the impact on the housewives watching this program? Let’s accept, the vast majority of our women folk, believe in one-man-one-woman concept.
The ultra-progressive amongst us will brand me as a villain saying that Individual liberties are to be respected. If the lady wants to jump and roll with a particular guy, in front of her husband, and if it suits the husband, what is seemingly my problem? My complaint is, had this been done within the 4 walls of their house, I would have nothing to say. But when it is being done in front of a national audience, little more should have been exercised. Public Domain is sacred space.
This is not a popularity campaign. I do not want support votes nor do I need hate messages. Let us evaluate every situation that comes our way and then decide the best course of action- with larger public interest in mind. Close
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Suresh,
I agree with Keshav and you are indulging in moral policing indeed, though you deny it so eloquently.
I amused too about your blanket assessment of Indian ladies believing so deeply in one man-woman relationship alone.
There are variations in personalities, situations, individual needs and opportunities. Human relations are to complex to be so neatly stereotyped, but such stereotypes do exist.
You may be right about a sense of balance and decorum to be maintained on television. I have never seen that particular program so I am not in a position to comment on it.
I am far more worried but effects of regressive ”Saas Bahu” serials, shameless character assignations and sordid dramatization of crime scenes on television.
You are invited to read few posts and story:
For the sake of honor (Part 3)
For the sake of honor (Part 4)
I Heard the Killers
Hope you will not be bored…but you have to take that risk.
Looking forward to your learned comments.
Warm regards,
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Loved ur way of writing.
"Leaving nothing to imagination"
"husband with a "its ok with me" sort of look!"
"within four walls"
hehehehe.....keep writing. Liked ur fury.
Almost felt that ur highness had metamorphosed into the harrassed husband!!!!!
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I found your write-up very amusing.
You say:
There is no point in shrugging of reactions like mine as ‘old mindset’/ conservative etc. I am very much a part of India and am able to realize that the winds of change are blowing over. But it has to be gradual. One has to ready the society to accept certain changes. Individuals- separately or collectively seldom like to be told, what is to be done and what not? Nor am I taking up a moral policing stand.
And you go ahead and do a fair bit of moral policing yourself. :-)
Seriously man, if you don't like it, flip the channel, that's what the remote is meant for. One man's meat is another man's poison. Who are you to dictate what somebody else should do?
Personally, I find all these game shows childish - even Shahrukh's. So I don't watch. There are market forces at work here. If this catches the fancy of the majority, it will run or else it'll fold. Nothing much that you can do.
cheers,
Keshav
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The program makers and salman together need to decide where they draw the line at the interaction between their stars and the participants. People are always going to be star struck and try to do some asinine things. It is the skill of the host star to encourage it in a way that works for both the TV show and the participant.
KBC was a different kind of show in which participation between the audience and Amitabh was limited however even in the phone a friend round some of the friends got a little star-struck and Amitabh was usually pretty good at reminding them why they were there. I think Shahrukh Khan is usually good at this too.
I guess this is something that Salman has to learn to do.
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Such phenomenon is on the rise these days. Last week in the Mumbai airport, Sonu Nigam (a singer) was in the aircraft. From nowhere a girl came to him and asked him to hug her and kiss her. Sonu Nigam was hesitant and suddenly the e girl went ahead and kissed him on both his cheeks and hugged him to the embarassment of all of us and Sonu Nigam himself!
i would squarely blame the woman in this regard? What is the necessity to feed Salman by her own hands? What is the need to dance with him if it involves hugging (i hope no hip gyrations)? Many a times, it is the women who start such things that lead from one to another.
I am aware i will be pounced upon the lady bloggers over her and would be labled as a MCP! in all fairness, a married lady should not behaved this way in public. Otherwise, i felt Salman led the show in nice manner interacting well. At times, he crossed the limit. However, he was far more pleasant than the monotonous Shahrukh who had the same smile and repeated tactics that bored us all.
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Well said. Nice write-up.
KR Iyer
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I have posted my feedback and asked/requested Sony Entertainment Television to tender an apology to the public.
http://www.setindia.com/feedback.php
My views are the same as your views.
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