In the age of saas-bahus, and scheming plots, like that of Naagin and Sasural Simar Ka, it would be laughable, but necessary if someone produces shows that depict human relationships from an unexplored angle. But like before, Doordarshan National never fails. Known extremely well for giving us thoughtful shows like, ‘Hum Log,' ‘Buniyaad,' ‘Fauji,' etc., the channel is back, with a new show, Sanyasi. Based on novelist Pandit Ila Chandra Joshi’s classic, Sanyasi TV Serial is a depiction on the complicated angle of the human relationships, where both male ego and female ego are consistently at war, with each other, none willing to subside.
Produced by Samvaad, this is a finite series that explores the complexities of the human relationships, from the viewpoint of the male ego. Produced by Rakesh Chowdhary, this serial explores the tale of Nand Kishor, a student of BHU, who falls in love, once with Shanti, while on a student visit to Nainital, and later on with his own wife, Jayanti. However, his whimsical mind fails to have either of them, and he starts doubting their characters, as is the problem with the males universally. Even though he has married Jayanti, Nand Kishor refuses to have complete faith in his wife. He starts doubting her; just the way he doubted Shanti and her best friend, Baldev. His temperament leads to his breakup with Shanti, and the same temperament took Jayanti’s life, as she committed suicide, distraught by her husband’s distrust for her.
Destroyed from within, Nand Kishor becomes a sanyasi and relocates to Dehradun, where he reunites with Shanti, who refuses to marry him, even after his proposal, owing to his temperament. This serial, according to Rakesh Chowdhary, explores the problem of the universal male ego. In his words, what most men would desire would be the complete submission of the women to their wills. The man would wish for the woman to perpetually strive hard for his happiness and his pleasure, even if that puts the woman’s dignity and peril.
According to Mr. Chowdhary, no matter how much a male is engrossed in deep study and high philosophy, his basic nature, somehow, remains the same. This basic nature of the male ego is what according to Mr. Chowdhary, forms the crux of Sanyasi. Rakesh Chowdhary is right, as it is mostly the male ego that wreaks havoc in the relationships. In his words, Goddess Sita surrendered herself to the devotion of Ram. However, she had to undergo the Agni Pariksha. Till when a woman shall endure the sufferings of the male ego. Till when? This serial stars Vineet Raina as Nand Kishor, Surabhi Tiwari as Shanti, Namrata Thapa, Vikrant Chaturvedi as Nand’s elder brother among others.