The Dark Side of Indian Daily Soap Operas

 

The Dark Side of Indian Daily Soap Operas

Many people worry that Indian TV serials are damaging our moral values — and honestly, the worry isn’t wrong. These shows are popular because they feel relatable and full of drama, but most of the time they chase TRPs instead of telling meaningful stories. They exaggerate anger, jealousy, betrayal and even show polygamy as if it’s normal. Family life is turned into something toxic and stressful.

Viewers — especially homemakers and families in smaller towns — keep watching out of habit or escapism. But constant exposure to this kind of drama slowly makes unhealthy behaviour feel normal. It often leads to more family arguments, more stress and weaker cultural values.

Hindi Serials: When Saas-Bahu Drama Turns Harmful

Around 200 million people watch Hindi daily soaps every day. But many of these shows glorify fights, manipulation and revenge. Instead of celebrating unity in joint families, they turn households into war zones.

• Anupamaa (Star Plus):

It started as a story of women’s empowerment but now survives on plotting, blackmail and shouting. It repeats the same idea of women suffering endlessly, which leaves viewers drained.

• Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (Star Plus):

Known for its constant “leaps,” the show romanticises chaos. Forced marriages, conspiracies and loud fights are shown as everyday life. Messy love triangles blur the idea of healthy relationships.

• Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin (Colors):

Recent plots are filled with abuse, dowry greed and nonstop misery. Violence is often shown as “passion,” which can make viewers less sensitive to real-life abuse.

• Jhanak (Star Plus):

Criticised for misogyny, the show includes bigamy, class prejudice and even jokes about sexual violence. These things affect viewers’ self-esteem and normalise harmful behaviour.

Old shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, when revived, still repeat the same toxic patterns — proving how deeply rooted this formula is.

Bengali Serials: Drama with a Regional Twist

Bengali soaps follow the same pattern as Hindi ones, just with local flavour. Even festive backdrops like Durga Puja are turned into scenes of tension and fights. Some political leaders have openly criticised these serials for showing poisonings, constant quarrels and hooliganism, saying they add to frustration among young people.

• Parashuram Ajker Nayak (Zee Bangla):

Centers on greed, fights and public clashes.

• Professor Bidya Banerjee (Zee Bangla):

Mixes dramatic plots with wrong information, weakening respect for education.

• Chirosokha (Star Jalsha):

Shows endless divorces and remarriages, promoting instability instead of trust.

• Parineeta (Zee Bangla):

Full of dowry issues, revenge and negativity.

The Bigger Picture

Across languages, these serials keep promoting anger, greed, hatred and multiple marriages. The harm is clear:

Family Problems: Joint families are shown as toxic, which creates suspicion and tension in real life.

Gender Damage: Women are always victims, men are shown as weak, and mental health is treated like a joke.

Cultural Loss: Traditions are pushed aside for dramatic twists, weakening our cultural identity.

Even then, many people continue watching for comfort. Some rural women find strength in the “suffering heroine,” while younger viewers prefer OTT platforms for more realistic stories.

The Way Forward

Content regulators and channels could encourage more positive plots. Shows like Udaan, which spoke about child marriage, proved that television can bring real change. What we need now is storytelling that uplifts society instead of dragging it down.