When I saw this promo on TV, I thought finally – someone with their head screwed on the right way :
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVfL6kmciXM]
Unfortunately and horrifyingly, as it turns out in this serial, the heroine, the girl who speaks up, marries the ring-leader of the molesters (the guy in black). Disturbing, to put it mildly. Sevati Ninan in the Hindu, has this to say :
From the current crop of serials, a very good example of enthusiastic consumption of a bizarre plot line is the serial “Mann ki Awaaz Pratigya”. The production house, Star TV, bills it a “fight against disrespect of women”. And what does the lead character do? She marries a goon who eve-teases her. Then she tells him that he can win her body but not her love. You fight disrespect by marrying the eve-teaser, taking the battle into his home.
One scene has the couple standing around while the goon’s mother and father discuss the fact that the bride did not let her husband near him on her wedding night. The father suddenly sticks his gun at his son’s head. The son narrows his eyes and dares his father to kill him. Later his mother is told by his father, that she needs to have her tongue chopped off with a pair of scissors because she interrupts when the menfolk are talking.
But on a blog called ‘TV serials and TV shows’ there are 53 comments about Pratigya and here’s what viewer postings say: “it is best serial.” “It is best story. This story is Power of women. I like Pratigya Character.” “Excellent concept. its needed to see by all girls and women. very good and congratess to teem of pratigya. (sic)” “Its a pretty gud serial i liked krishna’s character.” “PRATIGYA serial is very good story.” “I should tell this or not but i like Krishna the way he speaks in the serial the story is good hats off to your team why i see that show is because i like Krishna a lot.”
Krishna is the goon who is the raffish protagonist. “It’s a very nice serial. I love krishna’s eyes.” “Pratigya serial is very good. Every character is very natural and Krishna Bhaiya is awesome. His dialogue delivery is wonderful. I like him very much. In fact I am going to crazy about him.” If this degree of appreciation needs comprehending, here is another visitor comment which offers an explanation: “The serial has started off well…the challenge is to sustain the interest. Krishna is a typical young brat from North Indian which would appeal to young audience.” Young audiences are discovering that harassing her is the way to get the girl you want? There I go being literal again.
How nice that the Indian people have taken a goonda to their hearts ! “Krishna Bhaiya is awesome” indeed ! Excuse me while I throw up (there goes my dinner).
Entire article here.
