Dipika Kakar believes that television shows are not regressive anymore

Actor Dipika Kakar doesn’t believe in following the herd and jump into a debate just because others have an opinion to share. Neither will she go with the verdict of the majority. So, when many TV actors say that content on Indian shows is becoming regressive, Dipika feels it’s the opposite.

“If you watch any prime-time show today, it shows women are getting empowered. They are no longer being shown as the weaker sex and there are many shows with women protagonists playing strong roles,” says Dipika, who recently quit her daily soap even when it was topping the TRP charts.

I agree that Indian television cannot have shows only showcasing women as the victim or someone always suffering.

She however, doesn’t rule out the fact that there was a time when women would play characters belonging to downtrodden section of the society. “I agree that Indian TV can’t have shows only showcasing women as victims or someone always suffering. So, we have new shows with a strong message that empowers women. Shows such as Balika Vadhu, Laado, Udaan featured women fighting against the evils in the society,” she says.

Talking about the audience connect, she says, “Majority of the viewership in India comes from rural areas and that’s why when show-makers come with finite series or modern show, they fail to connect with audience. For instance, every mother and bhabhi is a fan of my ideal daughter-in-law character in Sasural Simar Ka, but not every college going student will be a fan of saas-bahu show. That’s how it has been for so long,” she adds.