Anupama breaks boundaries yet again

Deepa Shahi and Rajan Shahi’s Anupama, which is produced under their banner Shahi Productions Pvt Ltd, has never been a show that focuses on just one particular gender. Though the central character is a woman, the show has time and again dealt with issues and topics that are never directly related to her. Moreover, Indian television at large has been known to present a woman’s perspective, since most of its viewers are women. But Anupama has managed to carve a place for itself for not only presenting a woman’s point of view but also highlighting issues that men face in a family, focusing on their vulnerabilities, and the pain behind their silent smile. A recent scene from the show has become a talking point amongst the audience. It captures a beautiful conversation between a father and son, played by Rahil Azim and Shivam Khajuria, respectively. The scene features Shivam’s character, Prem Kothari, finally opening up to his father, Parag Kothari, about his dream of becoming a chef. Though he shared that he has tried to fulfill all his responsibilities, his heart is not content, as his true passion lies in cooking. He even mentioned that he never discussed it with anyone because becoming a chef was considered an unworthy profession in the eyes of his family. The whole conversation reflects how men struggle to follow their dreams in a family, as they are expected to take on responsibilities and earn for them. It shows that many a time, it’s the family who decides the career of a man, and he has to leave his dreams and passion behind. While Parag is the strict kind of father who wants everyone to abide by the rules, hearing his son’s confession changed something in him, and to Prem’s surprise, he gave him permission to follow his passion and also encouraged him to pursue his dream of becoming a chef. By focusing on Prem’s dream of being a chef, the makers have shown that no profession is small, and no dream is unworthy. Moreover, it also challenged the societal stigma of men in the kitchen, not just on reel but in real life too. The sequence also stood out for portraying a rare father-son relationship that is often marked by silence. It not just showed a father’s approval but also broke stereotypes and highlighted how Anupama continues to push boundaries. Rahil and Shivam’s authenticity and honest execution of the scene made the scene more powerful.The scene is proof that Anupama not only reflects the society but also questions it, heals it, and inspires it to be better.