The television show Pehredaar Piya Ki has been in the news ever since it went on air in July. The plot, which depicts the marriage between 10-year-old Ratan Singh and 18-year-old Diya, will reportedly take a 12-year leap in October. According to a report in Hindustan Times, this move was planned before a petition demanding a ban began circulating and the timing was moved to 10pm to prevent children from potentially watching the Sony TV show.
The show has caused outrage for its apparent condoning of the illegal practice of child marriage. An online petition sought a ban on the show. Information and Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani is also believed to have written to the Broadcasting Content Complaints Council to study objections to the series. The council asked Sony Television to move the slot from 8pm to 10pm.
The show’s producers have been defending the plot, and they denied that the 12-year-old leap, which makes Ratan’s character 22 years old, was a damage control measure.
“The leap will happen at the scheduled time,” a source told Hindustan Times. “It’s not that this leap is happening because of all the controversy or the petition that has been filed. The leap was always supposed to take place in October, three months from the day —July 17 — the show went on air.”
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!