Would the sex, drugs and rock'n'roll fuelled TV show Californication be worth watching without the sex, drugs and rock'n'roll? What about serial killer series Dexter without the gore?

In an effort to attract younger viewers without offending the older ones, Indian TV is now showing some of America's edgiest shows - but cutting out the edge.

True Blood ... without the blood (or the sex, or the vampires).

As India urbanises and its middle class grows, a delicate dilemma has hit a media culture long dominated by local TV shows aimed at rural audiences, such as the soap opera Baalika Vadhu or Child Bride, about a girl married off at age 10. While the young and hip audiences that attract advertising dollars want foreign imports, no broadcaster wants to upset conservative viewers or attract government ire.

"This is a very sensitive time for the media in India," said TV critic Shailaja Bajpai. "Many stations are afraid of government banning orders, but at the same time, output needs refreshing to bring in audiences."