Over-the-Top Platforms' Impact on Traditional Entertainment in India
This essay explores the evolution of the portrayal of Indian wives in entertainment, focusing on how contemporary media—particularly digital platforms—has shifted from traditional, submissive tropes to more nuanced and bold narratives. : Unlike the "ruthless" or "subdued" portrayals in
: Creators now use these platforms to address previously restricted themes, such as female sexual desire, infidelity, and the internal struggles of women within marriage. such as female sexual desire
In traditional media, women were frequently relegated to "sanskari" (virtuous) roles, with their identities centered around their families and husbands. : Unlike the "ruthless" or "subdued" portrayals in
: Unlike the "ruthless" or "subdued" portrayals in older soap operas, digital characters are often seen as more progressive and relatable to the modern Indian audience.
: The accessibility of this content through affordable data plans has allowed these new narratives to reach a wider, younger audience, fostering a "binge-watching" culture that favors diverse and experimental storytelling.
: Cinematic constructions often polarized women into the "good" wife or the "bad" outsider, a distinction that reinforced societal moral policing.