Why the bad woman is so good for the TV industry

From the likes of Zara in Tanhaaiyan to Kashf from Zindagi Gulzar Hai, how women have been projected on the small screen has always been a topic of debate – more so even today.

The problem doesn't lie in the kind of roles women choose but the trouble begins with what they are offered in terms of scripts. These and similar issues bother Bee Gul, a playwright often lauded for pushing the envelope as far as writing holistic women and girl characters is concerned.

Her serials Kitni Girhain Baaqi Hain, Dar Si Jaati Hai Sila and now Raqeeb Se have managed to trigger a conversation about how quality entertainment is possible with women playing powerful characters.

The fruitful divide

While she takes credit for making some creative breakthroughs, Gul believes that the gradual divide which has formed between the ‘C’ class audience and the elites has turned the Pakistani audience into a beautiful mess.

“Social media is the place where those who obsess about the celebrities and are your daily primetime viewers, and those who avidly follow OTT platforms come together. This turns social media into a space for open discussion,” she tells The Express Tribune. “What we have playing on TV is commercialised content without an ounce of quality or for that matter, responsibility.”

She adds, “You cannot make dramas such as Jalan, Jhooti and Nand and call them a need of the time. Yes, I somewhat agree that the audience wants to see such shows, but we are the ones who gave them that option. If you tell me that showing the plight of helpless women is painting an honest picture of society, I will not agree with you. I know that it might have happened in one or two households.”

While she accepts that it is not too far from the truth, Gul feels that what really matters is to question whether it is something that is important enough to be highlighted on TV.

Known for making shows that would fall in the 'vulgar' category for some viewers, Gul recalls an anecdote where a man who had nieces came up to her after watching Dar Si Jaati Hai Sila. "He told me I am making shows that might alter the thinking of his nieces and they might think that they aren't safe with him [the man] while he loves his nieces as his own daughters," she says. "I told him that that is exactly what I wanted to highlight; you can’t always be right just because you are a relative."

The blame game

As of late, a debate has spurred on social media about the image of the troubled woman in pop culture. Many believe that the stories that are being told now are malicious and are successfully taking the limelight away from actual issues such as patriarchal violence and exploitation.

“When we talk about progressive characters, strong women being shown onscreen, it gets too much for our local authorities and some viewers to digest," she weighs in. "Our producers need to know whether the people they are bringing in to shape the minds of this audience are responsible enough. We need to understand where they came from, their background, their merit and credibility.”

Some of our most prominent producers, directors, writers, and channel owners are females who produce projects for women, roping in those who are no less than superstars. With misogynistic serials such as Jalan, Dulhan, Nand, and Jhooti playing on the telly, one wonders if such protagonists show the real women in Pakistani society or is it just a harvest for TRPs.

"Here’s the thing: our predecessors are so used to the internalised misogyny that I do not see a fruitful result when I talk to them about patriarchy. They believe it isn't an issue. However, I do think that we can initiate the change from within. The women of this generation will break that shell."

Gul also shared how the notion of 'good woman and bad woman' is very much a product of the Pakistani drama serial

"The good woman in Pakistani society is someone who would bow down to her husband, her family, give up her dreams for good, compromise at any and everything. However, God forbid if a woman decides to speak up for her rights and herself. She is easily branded as a bad one. This idea isn't just limited to the screens. We see them in very close societal circles as well. It is very real and very scary.

She must

However, Gul also thinks it is partly the responsibility of actors to object when they are asked to star in a problematic script.

"When Humsafar came out some 10 years ago, it was touted to be the show that brought Fawad and Mahira in the spotlight - and rightfully so. The actors' careers took off with that drama. But was it a good narrative? I do not agree," says Gul. "Humsafar was a very regressive show, where a woman went through hardships just because another woman plotted against her,” she asserts.

“When a regular, middle-class woman sees Mahira being slapped around, she would feel good about herself, that if someone like Mahira can be abused, then who am I to object?” Gul feels if Mahira’s character would have stopped the abuse and stood up for herself at the right time, then the middle-class woman who idealises Khirad would understand that she also has the option to do the same.

“Similarly, while working on Jhooti, Iqra Aziz portrayed a woman who made a mockery of domestic violence; a very real issue faced by millions of Pakistani women. So, at the end of the day, stars such as Mahira and Iqra have the power to change the narrative but they choose not to."

As far as the Yasra Rizvi-starrer Dunk is concerned, a serial that deals with the consequences of false #MeToo allegations, Gul shares the story was needed to be told but the timing wasn’t right. "Shows like Dunk might show the real incidents, but the timing of it isn't right," she says.

"The women have just started sharing horrific stories of rape, sexual harassment, abuse and violence. Our society isn't mature for a show like Dunk because, at this hour, it isn't needed. When you talk about the importance of #MeToo in Pakistan and give screen space to shows like Dunk at the same time then you are dividing the audience. And for now, women need all the support they can get,” concludes Gul.

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