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Probably for the first time in the history of Indian television, a show has been asked to go off air by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Yes, after weeks of dealing with controversy and petitions, Sony Entertainment Television’s “Pehredaar Piya Ki” has been reportedly asked to go off air by I&B Minister Smriti Irani.
Ever since the show’s promos were out everyone questioned that how low could Indian Television stoop to by showing 18 year old girl getting married to a 9 year old boy. Swaragini actress Tejesswi Prakash played the lead role of Princess shown marrying a young boy half her age with suhag raat scenes to creep audience out.
Once on-air, several problems plagued the show, and now, the channel has finally pulled the plug. The show has gone off air, and no episode was telecast yesterday (August 28) evening.
This comes as a huge shock to the cast and crew, who thought their problems were behind them as they were preparing for a time leap in the show.
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The petition was posted by a Mansi Jain on Change.org and over 51,000 people had already signed it by Thursday 4 pm. The petition reads, “Pehredar piya ki. – A 10-year-old impressionable little kid(piyaa) caressing and stalking a lady who’s more than double his age and filling sindoor in her “maang” is being telecasted at prime time -8:30 pm on Sony. (Family time) It is to be devoured by the entire Nation. Imagine the kind of influence it will steadily and perpetually infuse in the viewer’s mindset. We want a ban on the serial. We do not want our kids to be influenced by such tv serials. Join us in signing the petition to ban this serial (sic).”
On being contacted about the news, actor Jiten Lalwani (Bhuvan Singh), who stars in the show, says, “Yes. If the episode hasn’t aired then you know the news is true.”
Suyash Rai, who also stars in the show, is disappointed. “If this is happening, then I am shocked. I was waiting to re-enter the show after the leap. Tejaswi is a close friend so I wanted to be a support to her and work with her. I wanted the show to do well as a lot of hard work goes into a show when it is launched. So many people including technicians will lose their jobs when the show shuts,” he said.
The channel and makers did not want to comment on the matter.
“Pehredaar Piya Ki” stars Tejasswi Prakash and Afaan Khan in the lead roles.
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