By Anil Merani: I commend Anupamaa producer Rajan Shahi and Star Plus for thinking outside the box and advocating for women’s happiness. In a traditional society, a wife/mother always takes a backseat to the family. If Anupamaa (played by Rupali Ganguly) embarks on a journey of finding love at 65 despite its challenges, it could empower many senior women to consider love once again.
The latest promo suggests such a voluntary hypothesis with new character played by Manish Goel
Many women over 60 are single due to widowhood or estrangement from their spouses. Discussing remarriage is often taboo, as families may react negatively. Children might worry, “What will society think? This could jeopardize your grandchild’s marriage!” The stigma is palpable, leading to harsh judgments.
Have we taken a moment to think about the lonely mental state of our mothers and grandmothers? We are often preoccupied with our lives, and the generational gap makes it difficult to communicate with our elders.
There is a societal double standard: no one bats an eye if a retired man wishes to remarry after his wife passes away. However, if a woman talks about doing the same, it often becomes the subject of gossip.
For older women, it is not about physical intimacy but emotional connection and companionship —having someone to share their thoughts with and care for.
Television and films can foster strong emotional connections. If viewers see their favorite characters pursuing their happiness after fulfilling their responsibilities, they might feel inspired to do the same. This could spark a trend.
While I’m not an idealist, I recognize this narrative may attract social ridicule (old hag go to temple) and pushback. Change is rarely easy, and those who champion it often face criticism.
It will be crucial for the creators to handle this storyline carefully; it should ideally develop slowly. However, given the high demand for ratings, there may be pressure for immediate drama. This clash could intimidate some older women who are hesitant to engage with the idea of empowerment.
Sadly, desi TV is not known for finesse, and this sensitive topic needs nuance and woke writing, something the desi idiot box is not known for
Can Anupamaa at 65 screams i, too, deserve a man without stereotypes being tossed at her.
The naysayer will try to slut-shame Anupamaa, pointing to a second marriage/friendship with Anuj (Gaurav Khanna) and Yashdeep (Vaquar Shaikh)
If this storyline progresses, it may create a divide between those who support the empowerment of silver-haired women and those who oppose it, potentially leading to a drop in viewership, which the channel might find hard to digest.
Will they abandon the storyline (Anupamaa will friendzone the guy like Yashdeep) or see it through to its logical conclusion?
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