Daily Times

For the past two decades, we have become keen consumers of Indian dramas. All though the story boarding remains elementary and the theme of most of these dramas are refined to household struggle. However, there is one very interesting change that has occurred. Indian dramas have always shown women living a very domestic life which is how Indian society portray’s the role of women. Women are mostly shown as pretty and in an elegant way. They are dressed in traditional Indian attire, which emphasize their beauty.

If you consume the new line up of Indian content you might analyze a very interesting fact. While the overall theme of these dramas remains customary, revolving around lives inside Indian houses and how characters are pitched against one and other. The acceptable beauty standards are changing. The shackles of body image particularly for the females are broken.

Dramas such as “Badho Bahu”, “Kulfi kumar bajay wala”, “Kundli Bhagya” and others now cast beautiful women for the main leads in these television series. The desired beauty standards usually shown in the media puts heavy strains on the minds of not only females but also the male members of the society.

Owning ones own image is essential for any individual to be successful in this high-pace globalized world. Forming opinions about one based on his/her body should be discouraged. The media industry can play a big role in removing these illusory and unrealistic standards for the society to achieve.

All though constant criticism is made on Pakistani entertainment industry to produce Indian inspired content. This can be a welcomed initiative as worldwide stigma associated with body image and approved beauty standards are changing. At all times a person must feel confident in his/her body. The media with its moving images can embed these thoughts in its viewers.

In Pakistan the drama industry has stood the test of time. Many exceptional television dramas have graced the screen and captivated the audience with its narrative and composition. Perhaps we can take a leaf out of our neighbors book. The actresses who appear on our television screen are undeniably attractive and mesmerizing, but on particular body type should not be made the object of desire for all. We need to empower our women, not only the thin and fit for screen one’s but the women who are independent, who are not judged by the physique they attain but the exceptional abilities they possess.

Constant barrage of media images glorifying human body particularly the female body creates an augmented reality for the society. If unable to attain these standards an individual can develop syndromes and cognitive complexities resulting in body shame. It effects how we perceive ourselves and interferes with the quality of life. We need to educate our masses and free them from this enslavement that beauty has only one shape and size. Media through fashion and entertainment industry can break these shackles of self image. It is high time that we appreciate and approve people regardless how they look.

We on the societal level need to re-educate the masses. Our media industry can aid by following this positive trend and break on screen stereotype relating to female talent. It can also generate awareness to male members of society to stop associating beauty of women with only one shape and size. Beauty is abstract in nature, it is not confined to one ideal form.