Media, Power and Biases: A Critical Analysis of Colourism and Class Inequality in Drama Serial ‘Parizaad’

Abstract

This study looks at the issue of colourism and class inequality in the drama serial ‘Parizaad’. Agenda-setting is utilized as the theoretical framework. The study analyses the dialogues, language use, and character interaction through qualitative content analysis. The findings of the study highlight how the narrative persistently underscores the discriminatory behavior concerning skin tone and class status. Through the protagonist changing self-perception and opposition to such set standards and prejudices, the drama not only reflects the entrenched socio-cultural partiality but also critiques them through motivation, moral authority and dignity of Parizaad. The results highlight how Parizaad sets the agenda by diverting viewers' attention to such issues and raising their awareness of questioning such benchmarks. This extension of the agenda-setting theory beyond its traditional news contexts, the research underlines the significance of infotainment narratives in constructing cultural discourses and impacting public consciousness with regard to such social issues.