Latest news with #Swabhimaan
India Today
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Indian TV was better in the 90s - and it's not just nostalgia
There was a time when Indian television felt like an evening ritual, not just background noise. A time when stories unfolded gently, characters felt like neighbours, and the screen reflected who we truly were, not who algorithms thought we should be. The 90s were that rare era when TV didn't chase shock value or drama for drama's sake. It paused, breathed, and let real emotions take centre gathered under whirring ceiling fans, watching women like Shanti, Priya, and Simran navigate life with dignity, doubt, and strength. These weren't just serials, they were mirrors. And for many of us, especially women, they offered something today's TV rarely dares to: a chance to feel WHO WEREN'T JUST CHARACTERS - THEY WERE US Mandira Bedi in Shanti (UTV Software Communications) There was 'Shanti', played powerfully by Mandira Bedi, a journalist uncovering dark secrets while carrying her pain with dignity. She wasn't waiting to be saved; she was writing her own story, and thousands of women saw their silent strength in her."I still remember waiting for Shanti every afternoon. It wasn't just a show — it felt like watching a woman find her voice when we were still learning to find ours. My mother and I never missed an episode, and we'd talk about it like those characters were people from our own mohalla (neighborhood)," recounted Rekha Sharma, 47, a homemaker. There was Priya in 'Swabhimaan', elegant, intelligent, unapologetically flawed. Kitu Gidwani's portrayal of a mistress-turned-socialite was groundbreaking. She wasn't a villain. She was human, and that alone made her revolutionary for her time. "Shows like 'Swabhimaan' and 'Hasratein' were bold for their time, but they never felt vulgar. They showed real problems, real choices — not the over-the-top stuff we see today. It was like watching a mirror of society, not a circus," commented Anil Mehta, 52, a government employee. Neena Gupta in Saans advertisementIn 'Saans', Neena Gupta as Priya Kapoor, gave us the quiet devastation of a woman dealing with infidelity and finding her way back to herself. Her breakdowns weren't theatrical, they were hauntingly real. Many women didn't just relate to her, they were her. Nikki Aneja and Varun Badola in Astitva (Ananda Telefilms) Then came Dr Simran in 'Astitva' played by Niki Aneja Walia, a successful doctor navigating a relationship with a younger man, societal judgment, and her own evolving identity. Her character made space for conversations around self-worth and ageism, topics barely whispered on screen back Dey, 44, a schoolteacher, recalled watching the show and aspiring to be like Dr Simran. "I was in college when Astitva aired. Dr. Simran wasn't just a character — she was an aspiration. A strong, independent woman who made choices on her own terms. For many of us, it was the first time we saw someone like that on Indian TV and thought — maybe we can be like her too," she said. Seema Kapoor in Hasratein 'Hasratein' - led by Seema Kapoor as Savi, a woman in an extramarital relationship - didn't paint women's desire as shameful. It treated it as something honest, complex, and deeply human. These stories didn't offer fantasy. They offered a mirror. Women across India looked into it and whispered, 'That's me."COMEDY THAT LEFT YOU SMILING, NOT SQUIRMING Dekh bhai Dekh advertisementDekh Bhai Dekh gave us Sameer Diwan (Shekhar Sumar), Sunita (Bhavna Balsavar), Sanju (Vishal Singh), and the lovable chaos of a joint family we all secretly wished we had. It was warm, relatable, and full of quirks not noise. Zabaan Sambhal ke Zaban Sambhal Ke made us laugh at our cultural confusions through Mohan Bharti, the bumbling Hindi teacher played brilliantly by Pankaj Kapur, surrounded by a hilarious mix of immigrant students. It was witty without being mean, silly without being could laugh with your parents. You could watch with your kids. That kind of comedy didn't need HAPPENED TO THAT TV?Today's television often feels disconnected from reality. Women are either deified or demonised; plots stretch and exaggerate, driven more by TRPs than by truth. The rich storytelling and subtlety of the '90s have been replaced by spectacle and noise. Despite more money, more technology, and more channels - somehow, we've lost the WHEN TV SAT WITH YOU LIKE A FRIENDThose 90s shows weren't just stories. They were companions. They stayed with you long after the episode ended. They made you think, feel, and sometimes, heal. We didn't binge-watch them. We waited for them. One episode a day. And in that wait, we connected with the show, with each 90s didn't rely on flashy graphics or gimmicks. They relied on truth. Maybe it's time we stopped chasing trends and remembered how it felt when TV saw us in all our strength, flaws, and humanity. Because sometimes, the future of storytelling lies in remembering where we came from.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Plays with social, moral takeaways
Lucknow: Three plays staged at UP Sangeet Natak Akademi on ninth day of the drama festival on Tuesday captivated audience by highlighting social issues. The plays were based on stories written by women authors , 'Samajhdaar' by Manju Karnatak, 'Swabhimaan' by late Swaroop Kumari Bakshi and 'Jaadu Ki Chhadi' by Ratna Kaul. All plays were directed by Sangam Bahuguna and Vikas Srivastava. 'Samajhdaar' shows social divide based on economic inequality. Jaggu, a village boy, is brought to the city with promise of higher studies but is forced to serve as a domestic help. Sangam Bahuguna said, "The play portrays how poor get exploited by self-serving affluent people." 'Swabhimaan' sheds light on prioritising one's self esteem. Sadhna is rejected by a boy for her looks. Later, when he loses his wife and needs someone to take care of his children, he comes back to her with a marriage proposal, but this time, she rejects it as she finds it against her self-respect. 'Jaadu ki Chhadi' highlights importance of adjusting in families to maintain healthy bonds and take care of each other and how members of family must keep ego aside and be considerate and sensitive towards each other. Ruchi Srivastava, an author among the audience, said, "All plays in the drama festival are portrayed beautifully. They bring stories from text to life."
India.com
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet Aishwarya Rai's co-star, who married a Muslim man 18-years-older, faced backlash from her community, got divorced after 8 years, then...
Meet Aishwarya Rai's co-star, who married a Muslim man 18-years-older, faced backlash from her community, got divorced after 8 years, then... Tannaz Irani became a household name on television with her roles in Swabhimaan, Ye Meri Life Hai and Kis Desh Mein Hai Mera Dil. She made her film debut in 2000 with Hadh Kar Di Aapne and played supporting roles in successful movies like Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai, 36 China Town, Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon and Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein. Besides acting, she has also been a runner-up of Mrs India in 2002. Born in a Parsi family, Tannaz was just 20 when she married Farid Currim, who was 18 years elder to her. She was abandoned by her community for marrying someone of not the same background. Tannaz became mother to her daughter Zianne at the age of 20. After few years of marriage, Tannaz and Farid got divorced. Due to age differences and professional reasons, they grew apart. Their daughter Zianne lives with Farid now. On the sets of a popular show Fame Gurukul, Tannaz met Bakhtiyaar. Their friendship eventually blossomed into love and the two decided to marry each other. However, Bakhtiyaar's family was against their relationship due to the 8-year age gap between them. Later, it was his sister, actress Delnaaz Irani who convinced their family. The couple then tied the knot in 2007 and have a son named Zeus and a daughter named Zara. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tannaz Irani (@tannazirani_) Tannaz, who has been married to Bakhtiyaar for 16 years believes that their relationship has brought a very positive impact in her life. According to BollywoodShaddis, she said, 'My current marriage is one of the most dynamic and completely volatile, full-of-life relationships I have ever had. We ask a lot of questions of each other before making any decisions. This marriage has brought a very positive change in my life. Earlier, I was very tough. Now I am emotional and very family-oriented.' Tannaz Irani was last seen on the TV show Barsatein-Mausam Pyar Ka , where she portrayed the role of Bina, a bakery owner. Previously, she starred in the show Apna Time Bhi Aayega on Zee TV.
