There are a few virtues in human life that should ideally begin from our homes. Sadly, we assume that society will change on its own, forgetting the fact that it’s us who make the society.
Home is our own little world, little society. Starting the change for good should bloom from our homes. Women Empowerment, feminism, gender equality, breaking stereotypes and respecting every family member should be ideal acts to be followed in every household.
Media, being the most powerful influencer, can give a push in bringing back the morality that is lost. The chit chat sessions that take place post-dinner are mostly complemented with watching the television together. While the kind of programs we watch vary, this article will focus on watching typical television soaps or soap operas.
In most cases, it is observed that these programs often glorify patriarchal practices, stalking and mental and emotional abuse, especially in the case of women. We have grown up watching and observing the toxic content with the hope of constructing a safe and respectful society for both women and men, which of course, was an impossible dream until the audience got the content they had been waiting for ages.
Anupamaa, the television show which transformed my way of looking at television serials, has won the hearts of many. The show started on 13 July, 2020, and one year down the lane, it has the highest TRPs along with love and respect in the hearts of hundreds of fans.
The USP of the program lies in the idea of actually bringing a change in society as well as in the mindsets of the audiences who have been embedded with absurd ideologies and perspectives towards life and other social values. The show shines with terrific performance and dialogue delivery of not only the lead actress, Anupamaa (Rupali Ganguli), but also each and every member of the cast.
The show starts like every other daily soap. With patriarchy, inequality and abusive behaviour to its level best. The lead actor, Vanraj (Sudhanshu Pandey), who is the sole earner of the house, secures the top rank in hurting and mistreating his wife and is a metaphor for a lot of male members in the Indian household.
They feel it is justified to traumatise and disrespect their wives just because they are the provider of the house. The attitude of these male members is often supported by orthodox ideologies of their own clan, who play an important part in constructing their personalities.
If we talk about the show, we see whether it is good or bad, right or wrong, Vanraj Shah is always backed by his mother, Leela Shah, a.k.a. Baa. She loves to blame and taunt her daughter-in-law for everything wrong that happens around them and is ignorant of her son’s flaws. The shocking part of the show arrives when the extramarital affair of Vanraj, father of three adolescents, is exposed with her colleague Kavya.
Anupamaa breaks down but never gives up hope. She loses everything but realises that what she is left with is her strong, confident and determined self. Anupamaa and her army, her younger son (Samar) and her father-in-law (Baapuji), have full faith in her and support her come what may.
We often come across these kinds of fictional shows and all that we encounter is the helpless self of a woman who is completely shattered. The show gave us something that the modern generations wanted to see for a long time. It focuses on how you can once again gear up and win no matter how many times you have lost.
Your existence is precious and it should not be considered valuable only when you are happily married to someone. You are most important and you should lead your way no matter what comes in the process. The idea of divorce is still considered taboo in most parts of India. No matter how modern and educated we become, we feel it’s justified to be unhappy in a marriage than happy being separated from the abuser.
The distinctiveness of the show in portraying the after-effects of a divorce of a middle-aged woman certifies that women can shine and fly high just on their own. She is the epitome of sacrifice and love, but she is also the most powerful and fearless creature who will surely achieve it at any cost if she intends to do something.
Whether it is Anupama or any other female, she does more than she can for her family, but what we always forget is that she has a life of her own, she can and should make herself happy.
The show raises some crucial questions in front of us. Divorce should not be labelled to any of the genders. Why is it fine when a man takes that step?
While it is a kind gesture to love your family, equality comes when the family respects and takes care of you in the same manner. We have categorised the role of women as mere caregivers and housekeepers. But ideally, this should not be a gender-biased task. Taking care of yourself and your family, loving them and maintaining the house should be the duty of every family member and not just the women.
Anupamaa got her wings, maybe too late, but it is better late than never. A woman can have dreams of her own, maybe beyond marriage, and most importantly, living and adjusting in a toxic marriage. Having goals and dreams for yourself is not a demeaning wish. Rather all girls, mothers, wives and daughters should have them.
Family is and should always be a support system, for when we fabricate better families, we will definitely become a healthy society.