Kora Kaagaz

Kora Kaagaz was telecast on Star Plus. It was about the trials and tribulations in the life of Pooja, a regular middle-class girl. It starred Renuka Shahane, most recognized for her role of Madhuri Dixit's older sister in Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, as the female protagonist. The show also starred Salil Ankola, previously a cricketer, as Ravi, the male protagonist. Kora Kaagaz was directed and produced by Asha Parekh, a well-known Bollywood actress of the 60s. In short, the show had everything going for it.

Like every other girl, Pooja's marriage is arranged by her parents. They choose Mahesh as her life partner. Pooja, being a dutiful daughter, follows her parents' wishes and marries Mahesh. But soon after marriage, her life changes dramatically. On the eve of their wedding, Mahesh tells Pooja that he is in love with another woman. He tells her that he never wanted to marry her in the first place. Then he walks out her life, leaving her alone in her sasural. She is shocked and confused but then she decides to be brave. She stands up for herself and refuses to go back to her parents' house.

She decides to write her own destiny and carve her own path. She is the ideal daughter-in-law to Mahesh's parents. Even though her mother-in-law does not approve her decisions, Pooja never stops trying. Over time, she forms a close bond with her father-in-law. Ravi, Mahesh's younger brother, is her rock. He befriends her and slowly the two form a special bond. Ravi later realizes that he is in love with his brother's wife. When he tells Pooja about his feelings, she disapproves at first but then she realizes that she too has a soft corner for him.

Pooja's mother-in-law strongly disapproves of Pooja and Ravi's relationship. She feels as if Pooja has overstepped a boundary since she is married to Mahesh. Pooja's father-in-law on the other hand is happy that at least one of his sons is giving Pooja the happiness that she deserves. Everything is well, until Mahesh makes an unexpected return into Pooja's life. Being a dutiful wife, she knows that she has to be faithful to Mahesh but her heart belongs to Ravi. Finally towards the end, Mahesh realizes that he has wronged Pooja too much and divorces her so that she can finally get married to man who truly deserves her, Ravi.

Kora Kaagaz was the first show that I watched regularly. I was too young to understand some of the themes and the concepts at the time but now that I think back I'm taken aback by all the double standards. Mahesh is allowed to have a relationship outside of his marriage and when he comes back home, he is accepted back whole heartedly. But Pooja on the other hand is forbidden from developing a friendship with Ravi. Also I hated how Pooja's mother-in-law always sides with Mahesh no matter how grave his sins but when Pooja wants to become independent and get a job, she secretly destroys her interview letters.

Thinking about how badly Pooja was treated makes me upset but unfortunately, that double standard still exists to this day. Pooja was shown as an ideal Indian woman who stand by her family or in this case her husband's family at all costs. She refused to go back to her house when her husband walked out on her because she didn't want her family to be shamed. It was not her fault that Mahesh walked out on her but she was still constantly punished for it. When she decides to do something for herself, she is constantly told that she belongs at home and that her duty is to serve Mahesh's parents. I'm glad that Pooja was able to stand up for herself and get her well deserved happiness. The title song of Kora Kaagaz is such a poignant reminder of how the needs of women never quite have the same importance as those of men.