I do not binge watch ‘Neeya Naana’ like most people I know of do, but I do at times for mere entertainment. “Entertainment” is what it is all about and I do not accept that the debate actually makes sense because it doesn’t. Debates are supposed to be real, factual, spontaneous and most of all sensible. Topics like ‘Husband vs wife’, ‘Mother-in-law Vs Daughter-in-law’ show how much the show is yearning for a good TRP and I wouldn’t complain because they are actually getting it. It’s a sad state where channels are buying different opinions to make themselves look objective. I find this a little eerie to “buy” someone’s Freedom of Speech.

This time it was ‘Mothers Vs Daughters’ and we would definitely have expected daughters to talk about what they bought for their mother in their first salary or how they made their mom emotionally happy during a tough time amidst twisty questions asked by the so-called host of the show. However, the result was quite far away from what I expected. The question was ‘What are you expecting from your parents during your wedding?’ “I want my husband and myself to have a grand entry… Maybe from a Helicopter,” a girl exclaimed during a debate in ‘Neeya Naana’.

Another girl and her mother had a tiff with each other on who should get the only house they are currently living in. The girl says, “I think I deserve the house. Why is it that you always give my brother the better ones and when asked you treat me least important because I’m going to live with someone else?” That’s where we realize that son over daughter still exists when the daughter’s mother ‘indirectly’ says he is the most important one in the family. I wouldn’t be surprised if the daughter stops talking with her parents post marriage with the kind of partiality they see at home.

But, that being apart, the host says, “Why are you demanding so much from your parents? Why don’t you request your husband to get you those?” and my inner voice said, “Like seriously? No! I have already lost my parents’ love by demanding something super materialistic. Why would I lose the third one too?”

This went forward to finally become the talk of the town and the girls were bashed, trolled, their faces made fun of. I wouldn’t completely blame the channel nor blame the girls. But, what they planned together is something I am totally against – the channel grabbing an individual’s Freedom to talk what they want to actually and the individual being fine with speaking anything for the sake of fame, TRP and what not. Your Freedom of Speech is not a product up for sale. It’s your dignity, your decorum and most of all, it defines the person you are.

If you convince me that the channel asked you to speak that way, well fine, we alll know what a sick channel it is, but why did you agree to it? Who agrees to give up their Freedom of Speech for a selfish Television channel which is only concerned about its TRP? I wouldn’t and most of us wouldn’t. If it’s the fault of the channel you share the same amount of it because you agreed to do it. It’s sad to see many calling these women ‘gold diggers’, ‘selfish’ and ‘not giving a damn about their parents’. However, what the daughters asked of their parents (even if it was their fantasy hopefully) on their so-called ‘Big Day’ is no less of a Dowry but for a change, the bride asks her own parents for it.

The main point they all missed out on is why did both girls and their mothers consider wedding such a big thing to argue about? An article with my byline is also a ‘Big Day’ to me, a little compliment from your boss is also a ‘Big Day’ to you and a new recipe that you tried at home which turned out scrumptious is also a ‘Big Day’ to you. Why lose your individuality in the name of your wedding?

Even if they did consider wedding a ‘Big Day’ (because everyone’s choices are different), why did no one talk about wanting a goodhearted equal half in their lives? I am confused to even come to a conclusion on who’s at fault. I’ll leave it to you to decide. You may ask me in a barter system if one takes something what will they be giving in return? Well, you already know it – Silence.

P.S. It’s funny how the show ‘Neeya Naana’ once had a debate about Freedom of Speech. Oh, the Irony!