has had an undisputed run on television since 2020. Headlined by Rupali Ganguly, the show has multiple leaps, plot changes and new character arcs.
Despite this, the daily soap has been topping the TRP chart. Amid Anupamaa’s reign on television, Divy Nidhi Sharma spoke about writing powerful women. He is the writer of the popular show. Defending television against titles such as ‘regressive’, Sharma told Zoom exclusively that the medium is ruled by women. He further looked at how middle-aged actresses struggle to find meaty roles in movies, but has been dominating the small screen for many years.
Divy Nidhi Sharma says television isn’t regressive
In an exclusive interview with Zoom, Divy said, “I am lucky to be a part of the Indian television industry. It is often dubbed as ‘regressive’, and it is the butt of all jokes. Nobody pays attention to the fact that television is run by women. Major producers in the Hindi television industry are women.”
‘Rupali Ganguly is a star’
He added, “Be it or Gul Khan, yeh power ladkiyon ko 20-25 saal se Indian television ne di hai. Hum patriarchy ko badalte hue dekhte hai aisi jagah jisko hum regressive dub kar chuke hai mann mein. Hum film industry mein itna changes nahi dekhte. Hindi film industry mein ek actress apne 40s mein heroine nahi ban sakti lekin, television pe Rupali Ganguly mid-40s mein sabse badi star ban gayi hai.”
(Translation: Be it Ekta Kapoor or Gul Khan, women have had the power because of television. We can see a patriarchal attitude changing from the medium that is termed regressive. There are not as many changes in the film industry. A film actress, in her 40s, doesn’t get offers to play the heroine. Rupali Ganguly, a mid-40s woman, is the biggest star today.)
Divy Nidhi Sharma hopes female producers and directors get more chances
Divy concluded by saying, “I believe credit should be given where it is due. Pehle ladkon ko ladkiyon se order lena mein dikkat thi. Ek sabse bada cheez hai joh India television toda hai. Abhi bhi films mein aisa nahi hai. Aaj bhi mahila producers aur directors kam hai. I hope isse zyada ho. Jitni samajh mein mahilayein hai, utni hi ya usse zyada representation workforce mein dikhna chahiye.”
(Translation: I believe credit should be given where it is due. Earlier, men couldn’t take orders from women. Indian television has changed that. A film set doesn’t offer this liberty. There are not enough female producers and directors, and I hope it improves. If society has 50 per cent women, the workforce must have equal representation.)
Divy’s latest project is . The show is currently streaming on JioHotstar. It stars Divya Dutta, Prasanna Bisht and many others.