Contemporary Indian Television Commercials

Abstract

The famous ‘cultivation' theory proposed by Professor George Gerbner suggests that people are influenced by jingles and catchlines, and a good deal of their conceptions of social reality depends on their exposure to television. The impact of incessant exposure to similar messages engenders cultivation, or the consolidation of a persistent conception, conventional roles and pooled standards, often involuntarily. The present study intends to explore cultivation theory by considering Indian commercials aired on television since 2001 till date and by critically examining and exploring marketing strategies employed by companies from the standpoint of gender-based portrayals and their consequent impact. The conclusion is that assigning particular traits to genders only restricts individuals from choosing who they want to be. It creates boxed expectations, and judges those who step outside them. Gender roles are nothing but an unrealistic expectation, which limits people from being their true selves, an aspect that needs realization by marketers.