Indian Cinema, Serials, and OTT Series: Promoting Culture, Religious Hypocrisy, and Superstition

Indian Cinema-India is one of the most culturally rich countries in the world. From festivals to family traditions, religion and culture play an important role in everyday life. Cinema, TV serials, and OTT series are powerful storytelling mediums in India. They are not only a source of entertainment but also a mirror of society. What we see on the screen often influences how we think, behave, and make decisions.

But in the name of “sanskari values” and culture, these mediums often promote blind faith, astrology, occult practices, and even religious hypocrisy. Instead of encouraging scientific thinking and rational problem-solving, many shows and films glorify babas, tantrics, black magic, and gender stereotypes. This has created a dangerous mix of entertainment and superstition.

This article goes deep into how Indian cinema, serials, and OTT shows shape culture, faith, and superstition. It also explains their impact on society, gives examples, and highlights how creators can become more responsible.

The Myth of Culture and Sanskari Values

The term sanskari is often heard in Indian families. It usually means cultured, traditional, and moral. But in cinema and serials, it is often misused.

• Women are mostly shown as the “ideal bahu” (daughter-in-law) or “sati-savitri” type who sacrifices everything for her family.
• Young men are shown as protectors of family honor, not as individuals with independent thinking.
• Rituals and astrology are shown as solutions for every problem, no matter how illogical.

This creates a society where stereotypes and blind faith are seen as normal. Instead of questioning, people accept it because “TV par dikhaya hai” (it was shown on TV).

Television Serials: The Biggest Promoters of Blind Faith

Television serials have the widest reach in India. Especially in rural areas, people take them very seriously. Unfortunately, they are also the biggest promoters of superstition.

1. Saas-Bahu Dramas

• Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (2000–2008):
  Tulsi, the ideal daughter-in-law, always respects family honor. But she also depends on astrologers and rituals. In one episode, a pandit says:
  “Yeh sab Shani ki sade saati ka prabhav hai.”
  This dialogue normalises astrology as the solution to problems.

2. Supernatural Serials

• Naagin (2015–present):
  One of the most popular shows, it is full of black magic, snakes, and occult. The heroine says:
  “Main ek ichchhadhari naagin hoon, aur meri shakti se koi nahi bach sakta.”
  Millions of viewers enjoy this but also start believing that supernatural powers exist.
• Sasural Simar Ka (2011–2018):
  This show started as a family drama but later added ghosts, babas, and evil spirits. Every crisis was solved by a tantric or baba.
  Dialogue: “Baba ji ki kripa se sab theek ho jayega.”
• Balika Vadhu (2008–2016):
  Though it raised awareness about child marriage, many times problems were linked to “nazar” (evil eye) or bad planetary positions.

3. Anupamaa (2020–Present)

Currently one of the most watched serials in India, Anupamaa also heavily uses religion and faith as part of its storytelling. Almost every big or small family issue is linked with Lord Krishna. Characters repeatedly say things like:

• “Har baat par Kanha ji dekh lenge.”
• “Bas Kanha ji kar denge toh sab theek ho jayega.”
• “Kanha ji ki marzi ke bina patta bhi nahi hilta.”

Instead of encouraging logical solutions or practical steps, problems are often left to divine will. While this appeals emotionally to religious viewers, it also reinforces the belief that faith alone can solve problems, which may stop people from taking rational action in real life. These shows blur the line between entertainment and belief. For less educated audiences, it often becomes reality.

Cinema: Family Culture Mixed with Hypocrisy

Bollywood films are famous for showing big families, weddings, songs, and Indian traditions. But in the process, they also promote stereotypes and blind faith.

1. Family Films

• Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994):
  Celebrated as a “cultural” film, but it shows women only as housewives and family servers.
  Dialogue: “Hamari sanskriti mein aurat ka sthan parivaar ki seva mein hai.”
  This reinforces gender inequality.

2. Faith-Based Films

• Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015):
  A beautiful story of love and humanity, but full of religious rituals. Pawan depends on Hanuman Chalisa for help.
  Dialogue: “Bajrang Bali, meri madad karo.”
  It suggests faith alone can solve real-life problems.

3. Satire on Religion

• OMG – Oh My God! (2012):
  Paresh Rawal questions fake babas.
  Dialogue: “Yeh saare baba logon ko thagne ke liye baithe hain.”
  It exposes hypocrisy but ends with a soft message of “true faith.”
• PK (2014):
  Aamir Khan’s alien character questions blind rituals.
  Dialogue: “Woh jo darr dikhakar paise kamaate hain, woh galat number hai.”
  It criticises but also avoids going too deep to keep everyone happy.

4. Occult and Horror

• Rudraksh (2004):
  Shows supernatural powers of Rudraksh beads.
  Dialogue: “Rudraksh ki shakti se koi nahi bach sakta.”
• Raat (1992):
  A tantric says:
  “Yeh kala jadoo ka prabhav hai, isse keval tantra se hi khatam kiya ja sakta hai.”
  Such scenes promote blind belief in tantrics.

OTT Series: Modern Platform, Old Hypocrisy

OTT platforms gave hope that content would be bold, rational, and modern. But superstition and hypocrisy continue here too.

Aashram (MX Player)

Baba Nirala is shown as a fraud but also has god-like powers.
Dialogue: “Baba ki kripa se sab kuch sambhav hai.”
While exposing hypocrisy, the drama also glorifies babas.

Sacred Games (Netflix, 2018–2019)

Guruji uses spiritual language to control people.
Dialogue: “Guruji ki shakti se duniya badli ja sakti hai.”
It criticises cult leaders but also makes them look fascinating.

Betaal (Netflix, 2020)

Mixes ghosts, soldiers, and tantra.
Dialogue: “Is atma ko keval tantra ki shakti se roka ja sakta hai.”

Bada Naam Karenge (Sony LIV, 2025)

Shows small-town life but again makes astrology the solution for family issues.

So even new-age platforms end up selling superstition because it “sells.”

Astrology and Occult Practices: A Powerful Influence

Astrology and occult are shown in almost every Indian show or film.

• Kasautii Zindagi Kay: Pandits advise solutions based on planets.
  Dialogue: “Yeh grahon ki chaal ka prabhav hai.”
• Stree (2018): A tantric says:
  “Iska ilaaj keval mantra aur tantra mein hai.”

Such messages make audiences believe more in astrology than doctors or science.

Societal Impact of Such Content

The impact of these portrayals is huge:

1. Trust in Babas:
   A Hindustan Times survey (2021) found that 50% of Indians trust babas and tantrics, largely due to TV and films.
2. Healthcare Problems:
   Many people first go to a baba instead of a doctor when ill, wasting time and risking health.
3. Education and Careers:
   Parents depend on astrology for exams, jobs, or marriages, instead of focusing on skills.
4. Gender Stereotypes:
   Women are still shown as secondary, always sacrificing. This affects how real women are treated in society.

The Way Forward: Responsible Entertainment

Entertainment does not have to mean superstition. There are positive examples:

• Taare Zameen Par (2007): Promoted awareness of dyslexia and sensitivity.
• 3 Idiots (2009): Promoted education and out-of-box thinking.
• Dangal (2016): Promoted women empowerment and breaking stereotypes.

These films respected culture while spreading progressive ideas.

The industry must realise that cinema and TV shape millions of minds. They should:

• Show scientific solutions instead of rituals.
• Create strong women characters beyond sacrifice.
• Avoid glorifying babas and tantrics.
• Promote rationality along with culture.

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