Guest ColumnRetrofit: Babies’ blues in ‘Pati, Patni aur Woh’
Anyone who has been a parent will abhor watching the distasteful antics of Rakhi Sawant and Co in ‘Pati, Patni aur Woh’. It is truly inhuman to see toddlers being maltreated in the manner that they are. No parent will allow the kind of nonsense that these small ‘bezuban’ children are being subjected to, says veteran journalist Sandeep Bamzai.
Anyone who has been a parent will abhor watching the distasteful antics of Rakhi Sawant and Co in ‘Pati, Patni aur Woh’. It is truly inhuman to see toddlers being maltreated in the manner that they are. No parent will allow the kind of nonsense that these small ‘bezuban’ children are being subjected to. Dr Prannoy Roy, Sameer Nair and someone called Shailaja Kejriwal are answerable for this gargantuan abomination. And I would like to assail all those women and their husbands who are allowing their babies to be manhandled in the manner that they are on this bizarre show.
On Tuesday, I read that the Honourable Delhi High Court had not given a stay in the matter of further telecast of this appalling show. I just thought of those poor traumatised kids. Anyway, who am I to question the Court’s decision or wisdom? But this is not ‘Sach Ka Saamna’, we are not crossing any prudish boundaries or frontiers here, we are not playing Peeping Toms, pouring into the innermost recesses of the human mind. We are talking child care and parenting.
A PTI report that I read on the wires said: “The Delhi High Court today allowed entertainment channel NDTV Imagine to continue its reality TV show ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh’, by staying the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights’ order to cease telecast. A single member bench of Justice Sanjeev Khanna stayed the interim order of the Commission, which on September 30 held that the show violated child rights. The Court also directed the Commission to complete its investigation expeditiously and prepare the final report. Senior advocate Rajiv Nayyar, appearing for NDTV Imagine, alleged that the Commission had no authority to pass any interim order. It can only recommend to the Supreme Court, the High Court or the Central Government after completing its new investigation into violation of human rights.”
I tuned in to one episode and I was simply awestruck at what I saw. My heart went out to that baby cradled in Elesh’s arms, yelling for his ‘real’ mother, as a cankaterous and grumpy Rakhi Sawant sallied forth with a cup full of milk. This is when the ‘real’ mother enters the house and she is shocked to see Sawant sashaying about. I blame the mother equally for leaving behind the hapless baby. For crying out loud, he is 10 months old. The baby Jay has been distressed, according to a Mumbai Mirror story, ever since he has returned from the rigors of this amazing reality show. But the Mumbai Mirror story also tells us that the parents have not taken any money from the channel in return for loaning their child. So, what gives?
The show incidentally is an indigenous adaptation of the BBC programme ‘Baby Borrowers’. Kejriwal, Executive Vice President – Content, NDTV Imagine, is quoted in the story as saying: “These parents who have lent their children are rich educated people. And since no money was exchanged in this show, it was entirely their prerogative to shoot with us or take their child away whenever they deemed it necessary. Most parents were happy to have a paid holiday in Goa.” Huh, paid holiday! So, you are not paying the parents, but you are dishing out an all expenses paid trip to Goa. What kind of hypocrisy is being practised at NDTV Imagine? Are ratings so important that one junks all norms of sensibility?
In The Times of India on the Edit Page, someone called Aneesh A, I guess similarly troubled like me, wrote, “Shock-stars do and say things that jolt the average complacent viewer so much that witnessing their antics on TV becomes a form of guilty pleasure that you can’t resist. And a ‘reality show’ is the golden ticket that gives a thick-skinned ambitious individual the opportunity to become rich and famous in very little time… ‘desi’ shock-star Rakhi Sawant has done one better. She is now part of a show called ‘Pati Patni aur Woh’, where five ‘celebrity couples’ will embark on a challenging and learning experience, while we, the viewers, get to see the goof-ups and predicaments they get into trying to take care of the particular baby allotted to them. Sure, the producers of the show would be expecting young parents, especially mothers, to empathise with and maybe even feel properly represented by these struggling-in-more-than-one-way celebrities. The show is apparently intended to capture all the stages of parenthood, from being pregnant to raising teenagers. I might be getting it wrong as a guy, but I’m pretty sure wearing an ‘empathy belly’ and walking around for a week doesn’t quite replicate the experience of pregnancy. And since the show aspires to bring in all facets of pregnancy to the forefront, perhaps the producers of the show should have devised some ingenious method to duplicate labour pains too. A friend, who is a recent mother, once reluctantly agreed to let the newly appointed nanny carry her baby girl for a while. Minutes later, she almost had her heart sliced when she saw her baby slip out and fall from the nanny’s grip. Fortunately, the baby was fine, but it makes one wonder about the parents who let their babies turn into props on such reality shows and even advertisements. I once watched a segment on television, where it was shown that chimpanzees are so protective of their babies that they wouldn’t even let a tiny bird near them. And to think, Charles Darwin said we evolved.” Well said, sir.
The last word surely goes to Rakhi Sawant herself. Quoted in Mail Today, Sawant, who has been accused of manhandling the baby, said, “We can’t be blamed when parents volunteer to send their babies to such reality shows. I feel babies should not be subjected to this sort of cruelty.”Tut, tut Ms Sawant, then why do the show? After all, you have been complaining loudest about the fact that you ‘have been given the crankiest child who doesn’t go to sleep’. You have acted rude and obnoxious, but I guess lucre is the ultimate lubricant. Writing in the same paper, Amrita Ibrahim says, “Love Productions, the creator of the show on BBC 3, also faced similar criticism. Despite the presence of child care professionals on set and the proximity of parents to their children, many felt that it was outrageous to let the children be used for entertainment in this way, not to mention the trauma and separation anxiety they might suffer during the course of the show.”
I feel for Jay, he is unhappy, troubled and pained to be separated from his mother. When his ‘real’ mom propped him up in her lap and offered the feeding bottle, you could discern a different child. Bottomline, you cannot subject small babies to this inhuman treatment, even if the Goa trip is paid for by the channel. This is galling. I leave you with words from a child psychologist Priyanka Doshi, “Babies as young as six months old are aware when they are weaned away from the mother. Then when they are reunited with their parents, they tend to become clingy; their crying spells could increase. Also, some children can suffer from what is known as separation anxiety. While some kids are social and have no problems with strangers, others can panic in an unfamiliar setting.”
(Sandeep Bamzai is a well-known journalist, who started his career as a stringer with The Statesman in Kolkata in 1984. He has held senior editorial positions in some of the biggest media houses in three different cities - Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi. In late 2008, he joined three old friends to launch a start-up – Sportzpower Network – which combines his two passions of business and sport. Familiar with all four media – print, television, Internet and radio, Bamzai is the author of three different books on cricket and Kashmir.
The views expressed here are of the writer’s and not those of the editors and publisher of exchange4media.com.)
Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Youtube & Whatsapp
You May Also Like
TOP STORIES
HT Media posts Consolidated Total Revenue of Rs 580 crore in Q2
Chairperson and Editorial Director Shobhana Bhartia says due to lower commodity prices and control on costs there has been an improvement in operating profit
HT Media has posted a Consolidated Total Revenue for Q2, 2020 at Rs 580 crore.
As per a statement released by the company, EBITDA for Q2’20 increased by 139%, and margins at 14% vis-à-vis 6% in previous year. This has been driven by softening of newsprint prices and continued focus on cost.
The Net Cash position at a consolidated level continues to be strong.
The Print ad revenue has declined due to sluggish volumes, even as yields have improved. National advertising continues to be soft, although local advertising witnessed growth.
Savings in raw material costs have driven improvement in EBITDA margins.
Chairperson and Editorial Director Shobhana Bhartia said, “Slowing economic growth has hit advertising spends in key categories, putting pressure on revenues across the media industry. As a result, our Print and Radio (on like to like basis) businesses saw revenues dip as compared to a year-ago. However, thanks to lower commodity prices and a tight control on costs, we saw an improvement in our operating profit. On the digital front, Shine, our online recruitment portal has shown good progress and continues to grow. Our outlook for the coming quarter remains cautious, given overall economic sentiment and macroeconomic trends. Cost-control and falling commodity prices should help protect our margins.”
Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Youtube & Whatsapp
ShareABP Group posts Rs 15.70 crore as net profit in Q1 FY20
The group’s total operating income stands at Rs 365.55 crore
ABP Group has posted a net profit of Rs 15.70 crore in the first quarter of FY20, as per media reports.
The group’s total operating income stands at Rs 365.55 crore.
It’s net profit for the fiscal ended March 31, 2019, was down 68% to Rs 31.90 crore compared to the previous fiscal.
The Profit Before Interest Lease Depreciation and Tax (PBILDT) has also dropped 53.52% to Rs 107.12 crore.
The group has six news channels - ABP News (Hindi), ABP Ananda (Bengali) ABP Majha (Marathi) and ABP Asmita (Gujarati), ABP Sanjha (Punjabi) and ABP Ganga (Hindi).
Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Youtube & Whatsapp
Zee Media posts consolidated revenue of Rs 137.03 crore for Q2 FY20
ZMCL has recorded 4.4% growth in operating revenue for first half of FY20
Zee Media Corporation Ltd (ZMCL) has posted a 4.4 per cent growth in operating revenue to Rs 337.6 crore in the first half of FY20, as per media reports.
It has reported a consolidated revenue of Rs 137.03 crore for Q2 FY20.
In a statement, ZMCL has said: “During the quarter, the network expanded its footprint s into Southern India through the launch of Zee Hindustan in Tamil and Telugu languages. This is intended to make the network's content accessible to wider audience.”
The operating expenditure in Q2FY20 has dropped by 21.7 per cent.
The statement further said: “EBITDA for HlFY20 improved by 34.1 per cent to Rs 1,029 million from Rs 767.5 million EBITDA for H1FY19, while the same declined by 9.4 per cent to Rs 370.2 million from Rs 408.7 million for the corresponding period last financial year. EBITDA Margin grew from 23.7 per cent in H1FY19 to 30.5 per cent in HlFY20, while growing from 24.2 per cent in Q2FY19 to 27 per cent in Q2FY20.”
Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Youtube & Whatsapp
No slowdown here: In-cinema ad rates up by at least 50% for 3 big Diwali releases
Housefull 4, Made In China and Saand Ki Aankh ready to hit the silver screen this week, with the hopes of giving brands the eyeballs they look for in theatres
It’s that time of the year again when theatres gear up to pocket maximum gains. Diwali is here and there are three films ready to hit the silver screen this week--Housefull 4, Made In China and Saand Ki Aankh. The festive period brings much joy to exhibitors, distributors and theatre owners because it ensures footfalls, giving brands the eyeballs they look for. In fact, industry experts don’t feel that economic slowdown this year has impacted in-cinema advertising. While they are concerned about three movies clashing during Diwali, they predict 50-100 per cent rise in ad rates during this period.
Advertising moolah
Mohan Umrotkar, CEO, Carnival Cinemas, is expecting 60-70 per cent surge in advertisement topline compared to last year. “Going by the buzz and advance booking for these three releases, market is bullish. Advertisers have blocked most of the advt-slots during the festival period. Housefull 4, Made In China and Saand Ki Aankh all combined together should generate around Rs 350 crore topline at the box office during the festival week. We are expecting 60-70 per cent surge in the advertisement topline from last year. Also, this year we have added around 14 per cent new advertisers, and 4 per cent of them are first-time cinema advertisers,” he says.
But according to Siddharth Bhardwaj, Chief Marketing Officer - Head of Enterprise Sales, UFO Moviez, things have changed a lot in the last couple of years. “Since some films have not really lived up to their expectation, advertisers are spreading the spends all through the year. They are picking up far more number of titles in the year rather than focusing only on Diwali or Eid.”
“It is good for the industry because you can monetise the inventories beyond just big weeks. A lot of content- driven films have come up which has given us the opportunity to monetise more markets. It has put lesser pressure on Diwali. Most of the cinemas are sold out for Diwali. It becomes difficult to accommodate everything,” Bharadwaj opines. He also reveals that for this week, the inventories are already full.
Diwali ad rates
Experts reveal that ad rates differ from property to property and depends on location as well. But Diwali surely sees a massive hike in rates. This year, theatre owners are expecting 100 per cent rise in ad rates. While Umrotkar revealed that for Diwali, they are charging 100 per cent higher than the regular card rates, Girish Johar, trade analyst and film producer, shared that even the rates for putting up kiosks of brands go up during festivals like Diwali.
“It’s based on property. On a ballpark, ad rates double up. So if you are putting up a kiosk, they charge say Rs 50,000-25,000 for a month. During Diwali, they charge almost double because of the kind of footfalls theatres witness,” Johar revealed.
Economic slowdown? Not for Cinema!
This year, brands have been pulling back their spends on other mediums due to economic slowdown, but cinema seems unaffected. Calling entertainment business recession-proof, Johar explains, “If you see the other side, box office is up by 15-20 per cent. Yes, it is a bit subdued because the brands are in a wait-and- watch scenario. They are increasing their focus around consumption rather than awareness.”
Bharadwaj too seconded it by saying, “These are challenging times but our medium is very efficient. If you see economy has slowed down, but the cinema has grown instead.”
Clash cover
Three movies are clashing this Diwali which means shared screens and box office gains.
“It’s never good for us when two or more big-ticket films release together. If they would have come on different dates, there are chances that more advertisers will take advt. inventory in those weeks separately instead of that one particular week,” shares Umrotkar.
Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Youtube & Whatsapp
INOX Leisure Ltd sees 42% growth in total revenue
Profit After Tax up 327% to Rs 51 crore
INOX Leisure Ltd (INOX) has reported financials for the second quarter ending September 2019.
Its total revenue has risen to Rs 524 crore with a 42% growth from Rs 369 crore in the corresponding quarter in FY19. Its EBITDA has more than doubled to Rs 107 crore with a 121% growth, while the PAT stood at an impressive Rs 51 crore, up 327% from previous year’s second quarter.
Siddharth Jain, Director, INOX Group, said: “At INOX, setting new benchmarks is now a routine, thanks to our consistently sharp focus on luxury, service and technology and our uncompromised desire to offer our patrons, nothing but the latest and the best! We are delighted with our remarkable consistency on all parameters, and we are sure about maintaining the momentum and focus on innovativeness. Content once again proved that why we term it as the ‘hero’. Thanks to the creators of such spellbinding movies, which keep inviting our guests to our properties, and allowing us to pamper them with our signature hospitality. With the launch of Megaplex, we are delighted to further our endeavor of developing experience-driven cinema destinations of global standards, and we will continue to do so. On behalf of Team INOX, I assure all our stakeholders that we will continue to break barriers and exceed all expectations.”
Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Youtube & Whatsapp
Hathway Cable & Datacom reports 100% subscription collection efficiency in Q2
The broadband subscriber base has increased from the previous quarter’s 840,000 to 860,000
Hathway Cable and Datacom has reported subscription collection efficiency at 100%, and the broadband subscriber base has increased from previous quarter’s 840,000 to 860,000 in quarter ending September, as per media reports.
It has narrowed its consolidated net loss by 74% and the operating EBITDA has been reported 15% up to Rs 107.5 crore compared to Rs 93.1 crore a quarter ago.
The total income has dropped 2%, while the expenditure is down 6%.
In the financial results, the company has said the FTTH markets are leading growth in customer acquisition.
Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Youtube & Whatsapp
ZEEL posts 7.4% YoY growth in total revenue for Q2 FY20
ZEEL's domestic advertising revenue has grown 1.4% YoY in Q2FY20
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) has reported a consolidated revenue of Rs 2,122 crore for the second quarter of FY20, recording a growth of 7.4% on YoY basis.
The Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) was recorded as Rs 692.9 crore with an EBITDA margin of 32.7%. PAT for the quarter was Rs 413.2 crore. The Profit After Tax (PAT) for the quarter was Rs 413.2 million, with a growth of 6.9% YoY.
During the second quarter, ZEEL’s consolidated advertising revenue grew by 1.2% YoY to Rs 1,224.7 crore. The domestic advertising revenues grew by 1.4% YoY to Rs 1169 crore.
ZEEL has posted 26.8% YoY growth in Q2FY20 domestic subscription revenue. ZEEL’s consolidated subscription revenue grew by 19.0% to Rs 723.5 crore during the quarter.
ZEEL’s total expenditure in Q2FY20 stood at Rs 1429.1 crore, higher by 9.9% YoY compared to Q2FY19.
While ZEE5 recorded a peak DAU (Daily Active User) base of 8.9 million in September 2019, ZEE5 users watched an average of 120 minutes of content on the platform in the same month.
During Q2 FY20, the television network had an all-India viewership share of 18.4%.
During the quarter, ZEEL’s international business revenue was Rs 208.2 crore. The advertising and subscription revenues for international business declined by 4.0% YoY and 21.5% YoY, respectively.
Zee Music Company has registered 7.1 billion views on YouTube in Q2.
Punit Goenka, Managing Director and CEO, ZEEL, said, “I am pleased with the performance we have exhibited during the quarter. Our entertainment portfolio continues to grow from strength to strength across all formats and maintained its leading position. Our television network has emerged stronger post the implementation of tariff order on the back of a strong customer connect and brand pull of its channels. ZEE5 continued to gain traction across audience segments and markets, driven by its compelling content library and expanding list of partnerships across the digital eco-system. This strong operating performance allowed us to deliver industry leading growth in both advertising and subscription despite the tough macro-economic environment. Domestic subscription growth of 27% has reaffirmed the value proposition our television network has built over the years. The impact of tariff order has now largely settled down and has brought increased transparency along with improved monetization. Our domestic advertising revenue growth, though significantly lower than historical trend, is higher than the industry growth. We have witnessed an improvement in ad spends through the quarter and we believe that the onset of festive season along with measures taken by the government will help revive the consumption growth.”
Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Youtube & Whatsapp