Probably for the first time in the history of Indian television, a show has been asked to go off air by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Yes, after weeks of dealing with deadly controversy and petitions, Sony Entertainment Television’s “Pehredaar Piya Ki” has been reportedly asked to go off air by I&B Minister Smriti Irani.
Ever since the show’s promos were out everyone questioned that how low could Indian Television stoop to by showing 18 year old girl getting married to a 9 year old boy. Swaragini actress Tejesswi Prakash played the lead role of Princess shown marrying a young boy half her age with epic suhag raat scenes to creep audience out.
Once on-air, several problems surrounded the show, and now, the channel has finally pulled the plug. The show has gone off air, and no episode was telecast yesterday (August 28) evening.
This comes as a big shock to the cast and crew, who thought their problems were behind them as they were preparing for a time leap in the show.
The petition was posted by a Mansi Jain on Change.org and over 51,000 people had already signed it by Thursday 4 pm. The petition reads, “Pehredar piya ki. – A 10-year-old impressionable little kid(piyaa) caressing and stalking a lady who’s more than double his age and filling sindoor in her “maang” is being telecasted at prime time -8:30 pm on Sony. (Family time) It is to be devoured by the entire Nation. Imagine the kind of influence it will steadily and perpetually infuse in the viewer’s mindset. We want a serious ban on the serial. We do not want our kids to be influenced by such tv serials. Join us in signing the petition to ban this serial (sic).”