Pehredaar Piya Ki: After furore over ‘regressive’ content, Sony takes show off air

After the flak it received over the regressive content of their new show, Sony has pulled the plug on, Pehredaar Piya Ki. Read the official statement:

Ever since it went on air, Pehredaar Piya Ki got flak for being regressive. There was a much publicised petition, from a viewer to the Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani, asking for a ban on the show, and the Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC) asking the makers to change the time slot and even run a disclaimer saying the show doesn’t promote child marriage. While rumours are that the leap was planned three months after the launch, now it will be for naught.

The show told the ’love story ’ of a 18 year old woman and a 9 year old boy.

Sony has released an official statement on taking the show off-air: “Effective 28th August 2017, we are pulling off our programme, Pehredaar Piye Ki, from television. While we understand that the decision to end this serial will be disappointing to those whose creative energies are vested in it, namely, its crew and cast, we (as a channel) are convinced that we will be better served by focusing instead on developing viewer interest in our upcoming, new shows. We are grateful to all the artists, producers and fans of our shows and request you to graciously support the viewership of our newer ventures.”

On being contacted about the news, actor Jiten Lalwani, who stars in the show, says, “Yes. If the episode hasn’t aired then you know the news is true.”

The show received a lot of flak for its regressive content.

Once on-air, several problems plagued 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 huge shock to the cast and crew, who thought their problems were behind them as they were preparing for a time leap in the show.

Suyash Rai, who also stars in the show, is disappointed. “If this is happening, then I am shocked. I was waiting to re-enter the show after the leap. Tejaswi is a close friend so I wanted to be a support to her and work with her. I wanted the show to do well as a lot of hard work goes into a show when it is launched. So many people including technicians will lose their jobs when the show shuts,” he said.

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