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Remember when we told you about a ‘new-age’ story of a serial titled, ‘Pehredaar Piya Ki‘ where a woman is married to a 10 something kid? Yes, the same that escalated the standards of Indian television with just its promo? (I sincerely hope you get sarcasm).

What am I asking, of course, you do!

Well, while we wished different, turns out we were right all along. That’s right; the first episode of the series aired yesterday and our nightmares have come true! Not only is the show more problematic than the likes of content that is being shoved down our throats in the guise of ‘stories’ but it seems to have picked up after Bollywood.

The serial steps right on the nerve of issue that has often led people red-faced. In layman’s terms, it normalises and glorifies stalking by (wait for it) its kid protagonist!

I am not jumping the gun here. The male lead, Ratan (yes, the kid) actually stalked the female lead, Diya after her Bollywood-esque entry in the show. Let me rephrase that; he stalked her but only after he was done ogling at her while the wind played with her hair in slo-mo!

If that isn’t enough, wait till you see what you see!

The kid follows the ‘pari’ he sees and clicks her without her knowledge and consent.

Not once. Not twice but several times. What you see is a minuscule representation.

And just when you think it couldn’t get any worse, it does!

The serial then goes to the stretch of romanticising moments between the unlikely duo in a similar fashion that Bollywood does.

Call it divine justice but it seems like even the actors couldn’t hide their bewilderment (cue: their aghast expressions). TBH, it is exactly my expression right now.

That is not it! In fact, he then pulls her dupatta from behind and PROPOSES her.

“Kya aap Humse shaadi Karengi?”

This has to be the final blow to the entire tirade because no actor of such impressionable age should be made to do that! And all this just for TRPs?

You can watch the entire horror of an episode here.

You wouldn’t believe, on further digging, we also found an interview that has the actress Tejaswi Prakash who plays the part of Diya saying that she is a feminist and claiming that the show is about women empowerment. Tejaswi if you’re reading this, please revisit the books that taught you the meaning of those words!

Before I leave, let me remind you that this isn’t the first time child-marriage has been pivoted as a story plot (read: Balika Vadhu) but while the earlier stories meant to push the envelope and break regressive barriers, this show in particular messes it all up!

Not to forget, it airs on prime time (8:30 PM), that is a time when the family gets together to watch the telly and which just goes to multiply the effect it will cast on impressionable minds. No seriously, where are we going with this?

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