I was seated in the comfort of my chair, and was sipping on some hot coffee from my favourite blue mug, as it showered heavily outside. I looked out through the window and noticed a couple walk by, cuddling, under a rainbow coloured umbrella, which I assume belonged to the feminine. I felt butterflies in my stomach. It was the ideal romantic evening, the one on which you’d like to go out for a long drive with your loved one, romantic Bollywood numbers playing on your car stereo, or perhaps a long walk on a deserted beach. Since I wasn’t fortunate enough to do any of that, I resorted to my sofa and took another sip of the piping hot coffee. Curled up, I pressed the remote button and put on the TV. I couldn’t find anything appealing and kept flipping the channels until a reality show caught my attention.
Emotional Atyachar on UTV’s Bindaas, is a show based on testing the fidelity of the concerned. The show goes like this…. A committed person (Lead) approaches the channel to do a so called Loyalty Test on his/her better half (Suspect). The channel keeps a tag on the Suspect and his/her activities with the help of the latest, technologically advanced hidden cameras, after setting up a co-incidental meeting between him/her and an Undercover Agent . This Undercover Agent, a person from the opposite sex, is employed by the channel to strike a bond with the Suspect and lure him/her. The cameras cover the journey from persuasion to the start of a new relationship over a period of six days, during which the Suspect’s lewd character is revealed. On the sixth day, the Lead is called to the studios and is shown all the six days’ footage by the anchor. Thus, the Lead assesses the Suspect’s trustworthiness on the basis of the recorded footage. Generally, the Lead ends up drenched in tears, or on a furious high, till he/she reaches the sixth day’s footage. At this point the Lead is shown the live footage of the Suspect and the Undercover Agent, and is taken immediately to that place for confrontation.
The Lead launches a war of (swear) words, sometimes even a physical combat, with the Suspect, and the two end their relationship. All of this, on national television.
This show, since its commencement, has been a topic of debate for more than one reason. Many have ridiculed the vulgarity aspect, while some have written about the unauthorised access to the Suspect’s life. I’ve also read and seen views questioning the show’s authenticity and degree of genuineness. Agreed, most of these aspects need to be considered from several viewpoints. However, these things do not matter much when we see the larger picture (which many have failed to address); and no, the larger picture isn’t about saving one’s life from a hell bent rogue. It’s about spreading negativity and encouraging skepticism, especially amongst the youth, towards love and relationships.
Every other day, we see, read or hear about a case of disloyalty, broken relationships and even divorces. Many years ago these things were pretty uncommon and perhaps even unheard of. I know times have changed and people have learnt to move on for good, but this shift has also brought unwelcomed changes. One of them is the drop in people’s tolerance levels. What once was considered a great virtue is now rarely found in the present generation and its scheme of things.
We are living in mad times where break ups are happening at an alarming rate, and life of solitariness is a road to grief.I know the participants of such television shows typically hail from the ‘not so good’ families, or have inferior moral standards. But there are also some who take such a stern step out of sheer helplessness or depression. Besides, these shows also unfold the truth and the partakers get some sort of justice. Celebrities have also started making appearances on shows like Emotional Atyachar. Thus, anyone could get tempted to go on the show. Which is why I think something that instills faith, especially in love, and spreads the positivity of a relationship at a mass level, should be aired rather than shows which glorify tales of infidelity and lead to suspicion, particularly now when we relationships are falling apart. This might help reduce the distrust among people and they might soon again start believing in the power of love and relationships.
Think about it and let me know if you think likewise or otherwise. Love you all unconditionally.
