So there’s this Indian TV serial called Pehredaar Piya Ki, which is about a 10-year-old boy marrying a grown woman. The trailer of this show made a lot of people uncomfortable, but most decided to not be judgmental before the first episode aired.
The first episode did air, and well, it’s as creepy as you thought it would be. Here are some thoughts that went through my head while watching it –
1) The introduction makes it clear that this Kesar Mahal (where the serial is set) is a strange place. I mean they don’t show anything, but the narrator wants to drill it into our heads that these people aren’t too cool with the new. Even though the show is set in modern times, the people here still follow archaic traditions. Also, hi Parmeet Sethi!
2) The child prince is a believer of fairy tales – can’t blame him because he’s ten years old. They also establish that the young prince’s life is in constant danger, and he needs a ‘pehredaar’, which means “bodyguard”. Shouldn’t be too difficult to get one considering they own a freaking palace!
3) He instantly has a crush on the heroine of the show and starts following her around… alone. This kid really needs a bodyguard who can stop him and maybe put some sense into his head. The kid is ten.
4) He’s ten (I’ve said this for the 4th time) and he’s clicking her photos when she’s not looking. Are kids really that adept at stalking these days?
5) Stop showing this like it’s something adorable. Stop normalizing a kid creeping on a grown woman. HE’S 10!
6) What’s next? He’ll write her name on his chest in blood?
7) The lady has big plans for her wedding… will she be as excited when she’s told to marry this little creep?
8) Of course, after seeing a cockroach, this grown-ass woman is about to fall over, when who other than the little prince ‘saves’ her. Remember ladies, irrespective of your age, even a 10 year old male child is stronger and braver than you are.
9) Hey girl, I know Polaroids are cute, but don’t encourage a kid to click your photos without permission/consent.
10) The kid is proposing. I know it’s supposed to be sweet, but the problem is that they actually go ahead with it. Maybe he’s not really a kid, but a grown man who looks like one? Like the girl in the 2009 movie – The Orphan? That would be an interesting twist.
Today I’ve watched a woman get terrified of a cockroach while enabling a child prince’s stalking. Indian television rocks.