Smriti Irani in the land of Taliban

Smriti Irani in the land of Taliban
Friday, May 19, 2006 14:21 IST
By Santa Banta News Network
Don't telephone an Afghan at 8:30 in the evening.

Chances are, he or she will be settled down in front of the television for a daily fix of an Indian soap opera. And they won't want to be disturbed.

The series Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi has transfixed the country.

Men, women, young and old - anyone, it seems, with access to a television - is enthralled by the family drama. It centres on Tulsi, a young bride from a poor family who married because of love and is persecuted by her evil mother-in-law.

For the first time, Afghans have been able to see a long-running family drama that explores so many of the issues they encounter in their own lives, said television commentator Farzana Samimi.

"It shows problems that are so common in Afghan families in terms of the relationship of brides in the family, especially with the mother-in-law," said Samimi, who presents a programme on women's issues on Tolo TV, which broadcasts the series.

Afghanistan is still a deeply conservative Islamic society where family problems are invariably kept hidden behind a veil of privacy.

The series gets people thinking about such problems, Samimi said. "It enlightens the minds of people in the family, not only of brides or mothers-in-laws, but others too."

The cultural context of the Indian soap opera was also very easy for Afghans to relate to, she said.

"People are interested because our culture is so close to India, their way of daily life, the hierarchical system in the family," she said.

Whatever the reason, the soap opera is Afghanistan's most popular ever television programme and fans refuse to miss an episode.

Generator shops in Kabul have reported heavy sales since the series caught on because so many people want to ensure the city's frequent power cuts don't interrupt their viewing.

Many fans who can't afford a generator have rigged up their televisions to car batteries to beat the black-outs.

Tolo TV, the most popular channel to appear since the ouster of the Taliban in 2001, says it is amazed by the success of the series. It declines to say how much it paid to broadcast it.

"It's our biggest series. We're surprised to see so many people interested in watching it so keenly," said Saad Mohseni, a Tolo director.

Tolo began running the soap opera, dubbed into Afghanistan's Dari language, this year. It began in India several years ago and is still running, so Tolo has lots more episodes to run.

Every day, the TV station gets calls from people asking for the episodes to be extended and complaining about the interruptions for advertisements, said another Tool official, Ahmad Tawas Nazi.

Some fans have begged Tool to change the broadcast time because it coincides with congregational prayers at mosques, he said.

Some postpone their prayers.

"Let's pray later, I can't miss Tulsa," a man murmured to his friend recently in a restaurant in the western city of Herat.

The show was about to begin on a television in the restaurant.

"It's like an addiction," the man told.

Mosheim said he had heard stories of a wedding banquet being interrupted so the guests could huddle around the television for half an hour.

Some are taking advantage of the obsession.

Robbers in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif stripped a vehicle of its wheels and mirrors recently, confident they had a mid-evening window of half an hour when they wouldn't be caught.

"Thanks Tulsi," one of the robbers scrawled in paint on the side of the car.
Death Threats to Shah Rukh Khan: Lawyer Arrested in Chhattisgarh for Extortion Attempt!

In a shocking turn of events, a man identified as Mohammad Faizan Khan has been arrested for issuing death threats to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. The accused, a lawyer by

Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Bigg Boss 18: Vivian Dsena and Chahat Panday's Coffee Banter Steals the Show; Frenemies Turn Friendly Over French Coffee!

In the latest promo of Bigg Boss 18, contestants Vivian Dsena and Chahat Panday, known for their heated arguments and on-screen rivalry, showcased a lighter side of their relationship

Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Varun Dhawan Praises Pooja Hegde's Stunning Look; Sparks Excitement for Upcoming Film!

Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan recently showered praise on actress Pooja Hegde, who made heads turn with her stylish and edgy outfit in her latest Instagram photoshoot. Pooja shared a

Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Half Love Half Arranged S2 Trailer Unveiled!

Get ready for an exciting and drama-filled journey as Amazon MX Player, Amazon's free video streaming service, and Dice Media's much-loved rom-com series Half Love Half

Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Model Sifat Sehgal opens up about her battle with Anorexia!

In a candid and courageous revelation, model and reality TV star Sifat Sehgal has opened up about her harrowing journey with anorexia and her recovery, offering an unfiltered

Tuesday, November 12, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT