Serial Killers

Have you felt helpless and irritated with the irrational feeling that you have been taken for a ride by the makers of great television serials?

The serials have women and men of all ages hooked on completely - watching them non-stop, back to back from 11 am to 3pm or 7pm to 11pm. Glued to their seats, people watch the idiot box as though it's a matter of their life and death.

Some years back, we had women performing puja on Ram of Ramayana and Krishna of Mahabharata. The stories have evolved from mythical to everyday life - the same script rehashed into saas bahu plots with one to many protagonists, family dramas - of one father, two wives or illegitimate children. 

How can you sit through this nonsense? Try to call out your near and dear ones - ask for lunch or dinner, a glass of water, any information or call them away from the TV - only to get an angry and fierce response - 'call me later I am watching this serial, I will lose the link.'

A piece of advise to all those watching the watchers - this new brigade of women 'watching TV' have a tendency of placing themselves in the shoes of the actors who are emoting and the situations created around them. So do be aware of the situation you might create in a peaceful household - with a call at the wrong moment. It could result in a family break-up, fight, children throwing tantrums, etc.

And for those planning a holiday, do inquire from the host what serials they watch - so you can create your own itinerary: -
If it's watched from 11 am to 1 pm, then go sightseeing and finish your lunch outside
If it's watched from 7pm to 11pm, then go for an evening movie and get dinner at a roadside dhabba or five star hotels, whichever you like.

This will save you the burden of watching these unwanted and unwatchable serials and you will also not end up as a bad guest!

A note for everyone on your code of conduct - 'coz recently I became a bad guest when I revolted at the thought of watching these serials. I got the dirtiest looks and was almost ostracised from the family get-together by the women brigade. I was not forgiven till I apologised saying 'I was just joking.'

But, seriously, if you can, please get them to unhook themselves from these serials particularly Hindi TV serials like Piya ka ghar, Lavanya, Astitva, Dekho magar pyaar se, Kasauti, Kkusum, Jassi, Yeh meri life hai. What do these soaps show? Certainly no information. Just plain headache in the name of entertainment, putting all bad things in good light - Kunika and her dressing sense (Kasautii), it's good to have 2 to 3 wives(Kkusum), girlfriends, cheat as much as you like (Piya ka ghar, Astitva). Indians, particularly married women, will not complain - may it be the wife, mother, sister. For men can do no wrong…Bah!

That's enough. I cannot go on... I hope you get the point!

BY HARPREET KAUR