Television: Going the guns and roses way!

It’s a proven fact that human beings are violent by nature. What ignites the never-ceasing debate is whether or not that aspect of man should be so exposed on the most popular medium — the television.

Violence shown on fiction-based shows like Rishton Se Badi Pratha, Kaali - Ek Agnipariksha, Laagi Tujhse Lagan, and Pratigya demonstrates the trend of the tube’s obsession with blood and gore.

Several channels and producers feel that with shows getting grittier, viewers aren’t interested in seeing soppy stuff anymore. “TV shows depict real-life scenario with fictitious characters and storyline. What one sees in the shows is not even close to what actually prevails in rural India. As storytellers, we try and bring our stories close to reality so viewers can associate with them. Through our shows we try and contribute our bit to the society. We also keep in mind the family viewers and impose a restriction on what we show,” says Ravindra Gautam, producer and director of a show.

Recently, a leading channel had received a show cause notice from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for showing explicit content — torture and violence against women. Siddharth Tewary, producer of Phulwa, says, “We cannot insert unnecessary violent scenes. But if you show a fight sequence, how can you leave blood out? It’s only when the story, backdrop and characters demand a certain aggressiveness that we go along with it.”

But the scene on non-fiction shows is different; here the contestants are high on hurling abuses and slapping each other in a fit of anger. Rajeev Lakshman, of Roadies, says violence in any form is bad but TV can’t be held responsible for the trend.

“I don’t say that I endorse violence but that means one should not even watch war movies, murder mysteries etc. In my show, we get angry when a contestant disrespects women, homosexuality etc. But it’s just disgraceful to see shows with unnecessary fights and abuses. I hope the fall in TRPs will send the message across to the broadcasters of such shows,” he says.