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Television show Pehredaar Piya Ki was infamous for its plotline from the start, actually even before it started. The show has courted criticism for its infamous plotline- revolving around the marriage of a 10-year-old boy to an 18-year-old woman- for depiction of ‘objectionable’ content including suhaag raat and stalking scenes, and on other similar accounts.
In fact, a petition on change.org addressed to Smriti Zubin Irani, Union Cabinet Minister of Textiles and Information and Broadcasting (Additional Charge) calls for the ban on the show.
The petition was posted by a viewer named, Mansi Jain on Change.org and needs 50,000 signatures. At the time of this story being published, 49,859 people had already signed it. So it just needs 141 more signatures so that an action can be taken. The petition read, “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 -8:30pm 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 viewers mindset. We want a ban on the serial. We do not want our kids to be infuenced by such tv serials. Join us in signing the petition to ban this serial.”
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Now, after keeping mum for so long, the makers of the show, Shashi and Sumeet Mittal, held a press conference earlier today to address all the complaints they have been receiving with respect to the show. Following are some of the important complaints they’ve spoken about in the press conference.
#On the honeymoon sequence
The basis of the controversy is rumours. I was shocked to know about the honeymoon sequence which is not there. The facts are given in the episodes that have been telecast so it is better that people watch and comment.
#On matters going to BCCC
We will clear our take before BCCC. I don’t understand what point people picked up for controversy. People who have misjudged it have not seen it. They are reacting to one promo and hearsay.Will ask BCCC to watch all episodes and will abide. Let them see the content. We will decide as things comes. Channel is confident about content and they know nothing is objectionable about it.
# On comparisons with Game of Thrones
Please watch our story. It is a tale of a Rajput girl who has never taken a decision on her own. A dying father asks her to become the groom to save his child. If he was alive she would have argued. Being the heroine she takes up the responsibility of looking after Ratan. Without knowing anything, she decides to marry him. The motive of the marriage is to protect Ratan. People who have seen it have understood it.
#On Suhaag Raat
We come from traditional homes. No one has seen the controversial suhaag raat scene. In the serial Diya is the object of hatred. As she becomes the Pehredaar.
# On Karan Wahi criticizing the makers
Karan Wahi was in New York at that time. The way he reacted was not right. He didn’t even see the show and simply made a comment. Karan and we have never worked on a project before, so there is no question of any enmity being there. I will ask Karan to give a statement on why did he make that statement. Will ask someone from my office to get in touch with him.
#On controversy affecting the TRP
I don’t think people who are watching are part of the controversy. I don’t know if controversy helped the TRP. I have a nine year old daughter. I think innocence of kids depends on circumstances.
#On kids being aware of the concept of suhaag raat and honeymoon
Kids are aware of words like suhaag raat and honeymoon nowadays. Rooms are decorated and kids ask and we answer. On the show it is people who are manipulating the kid and telling him to go on honeymoon. The girl who is responsible does not reciprocate what he says. She knows people are spoiling his mind.
#Won’t change the plotline
We will not change the plotline of the show. It is the girls endeavour to help a dying man even if it means getting married. The father says the marriage will be legal only after 12 years.
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