I am sometimes, forced to watch soap-operas in the regional language in so called prime channels. The show, strangely deal with characters – especially the women protagonist – very regressive in their thought process. It was quite shocking to watch an episode where the women protagonist in a prime-time show frets over not marrying the person – she was supposed to marry and goes on to talk about how marrying the X , Y or Z was the sole purpose of her existence.

In an era, when we encourage people to think big, highlight women achievers in social media and emphasis on women empowerment – how is it that these soap-operas are regressive? How is it that women’s welfare association or National Commission for women – fail to layout guidelines about the portrayal of women characters on television.

How do millions of viewers find such shows engaging? And, how are lead actors of such regressive shows popular?