Soap operas? Who'd watch 'em?!

In the past few years, Bollywood has become part of our every day vocabulary. We’ve welcomed with open arms these films with their glamorous stars, glitzy costumes, and of course the all important singing and dancing; now it’s time for the soaps!

Forget Eastenders, Coronation Street and even the best hangover cure that is Hollyoaks; my new favourite is Sapna Babul Ka...Bidaai.

India is changing. It is an emerging giant capable of doing as much as the other superpowers of this world. Unfortunately, not everyone is happy with this change and this is voiced in these soaps.

Although they follow the age old idea that love really and truly does conquer all, they also focus on the fact that through following Indian culture and tradition you can overcome all obstacles. A belief in the gods and taking part in the rituals and prayers will aid you in leading a better and happier life. If you can do a pilgrimage then more kudos for you! The western way will only bring about your downfall.

This is the underlying tone, but these soaps also raise issues on caste, skin colour and a woman’s place in society. Sapna Babul Ka...Bidaai is a story of two cousins - Sadhna and Ragini; one is fair in colour and the other dark, but both of their hearts are pure (don’t worry – this won’t be the only cheesy line – read on for more!)! The fair skinned Sadhna is revered by society whilst her darker skinned cousin is shunned. We follow their trials and tribulations, their determination to uphold their culture and traditions within a higher caste, westernised, rich and powerful family that they've married into.

Most people consider soaps to be a very inaccurate portrayal of real life. I believe it to be a hightened view of our existence and relationship with the people and world around us. It allows us to take note of the priority of individual societies. In the Indian soaps it is about maintaining traditions. Success isn't about how much you have in the bank but how those closest to you feel towards you. Respect can't be bought, it has to be earned (I DID warn you about the cheesy lines!).

At the end of the day, regardless of how we may feel about the soap opera - be they British or Indian - after a hard day's work, sometimes, it's a wonderful feeling to kick off those heels, find a comfy spot on the sofa, with a glass of wine in one hand and the remote in the other!