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Screens: Killing Social Engagement and Turning Us into Zombies

March 8, 2025, 1:52 am

In the age of technological revolution, the pervasive use of gadgets such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and televisions has become ubiquitous. These devices surround us in our daily lives, offering a plethora of advantages, from instant communication to endless access to information. However, alongside these benefits, there are serious concerns that arise, particularly regarding social interaction and human relationships. The transformation of our communication landscape has created a phenomenon that can be aptly described as a generation of “digital zombies.”

Among the most pronounced impacts of excessive screen usage is the gradual erosion of communication abilities and a significant reduction in actual human interaction. The nuances of online communication—while convenient—cannot replicate the sophistication and subtleties inherent in face-to-face conversations, which include non-verbal signals like facial expressions, tone of voice, and demeanor. Without these essential cues, individuals often struggle to convey their thoughts and emotions effectively through mere text or images. This challenge is particularly pronounced in teenagers, who are at a crucial stage of development where learning interpersonal skills is vital. As higher screen dependence increases, so does social unease, with many individuals finding themselves increasingly uncomfortable in face-to-face interactions.

Empirical observations of daily life provide ample evidence of this troubling trend. It is not uncommon to see children engrossed in their electronic devices, largely oblivious to the conversations happening around them. This behavior is not confined to younger generations; adults exhibit similar habits. Commuters on public transport are frequently seen absorbed in their phones, creating a bubble of isolation despite the physical proximity to others. Public spaces such as railway stations, bus stops, and waiting lounges reflect this same disconnection from the surrounding world. Even in domestic environments, family members often share meals in silence, each preoccupied with their own devices. This trend extends into the home, where members retreat into different rooms, each absorbed in their personal screens. Traditional pastimes such as board games and outdoor sports are fading into obscurity, replaced by the allure of digital entertainment, while genuine conversations have become increasingly rare.

Beyond the confines of the home, the excessive use of screens has significantly impacted social participation and community engagement. As individuals become more engrossed in their devices, their involvement in local events, volunteer activities, and social gatherings has diminished. This disengagement from societal interaction weakens social bonds and erodes the sense of belonging that is essential to community life. In the past, social participation was seamlessly integrated into daily routines. For instance, shopping trips served not only as opportunities for procuring goods but also as moments for exchanging greetings and sharing experiences with others. Religious gatherings, such as bhajan sessions in temples, provided a space for both spiritual connection and social interaction. In earlier decades, the limited range of television programming encouraged outdoor play, which was essential for children’s development, allowing them to explore, make friends, and build relationships.

The landscape of social interactions has been dramatically transformed by technology. Worship practices have shifted from communal gatherings to solitary viewing of services on television, stripping away the intimacy and personal connections that come from shared experiences. The rise of OTT platforms, social media reels, and video games has further contributed to the shift away from real-life interactions toward virtual engagements. This transition has left little room for the simple joys of togetherness, as individuals prioritize screen time over meaningful face-to-face connections.
Moreover, the correlation between excessive screen use and mental health issues is becoming increasingly evident. A growing body of empirical evidence indicates that prolonged exposure to screens—especially through social media—has been linked to higher rates of depression, anxiety, and diminished self-esteem. The constant barrage of notifications and the pressure to remain perpetually connected exacerbate these negative emotional states, creating a cycle that prevents individuals from engaging with others in the physical realm. The irony lies in the fact that while technology facilitates connectivity, it simultaneously fosters isolation and loneliness.

Despite these challenges, the role of screens in fostering social connectivity cannot be entirely dismissed. Technology allows for instant communication across vast distances, enabling relationships to flourish even when physical proximity is lacking. However, this convenience often comes at the cost of authentic social connections. The challenge lies in striking a balance between the advantages of technology and the necessity of maintaining genuine human interactions.
To combat the adverse effects of screen overuse, it is crucial to cultivate awareness of its negative consequences and to actively pursue opportunities for interpersonal connection. Initiatives aimed at fostering face-to-face communication can help restore the essential human connections that are vital for psychological and emotional well-being. Practical strategies may include setting aside designated times for device-free family meals, engaging in community activities, or participating in local events that encourage personal interaction.

Detaching from electronic screens and actively engaging with the immediate environment represents a significant step toward restoring authentic social interactions. Simple actions, such as initiating conversations with neighbors, participating in community service, or organizing social gatherings, can help bridge the gap created by technology. By prioritizing real-life connections, individuals can reclaim

Mirzapur Season 3 Release Date Announced; ‘Kaleen Bhaiya’ to Make a Comeback Next Month

June 11, 2024, 4:10 pm

Fans of the acclaimed series Mirzapur can now joyfully pencil in July 5th on their calendars! The creators have officially revealed that Season 3 will make its highly anticipated debut on that day, putting an end to all the swirling rumors and uncertainties. Accompanying this thrilling announcement is a fresh teaser featuring the prodigious Pankaj Tripathi reprising his role as the formidable Kaleen Bhaiya, making a triumphant return to the city of Mirzapur to reclaim his dominion. In the meantime, Ali Fazal’s character, Guddu Pandit, eagerly anticipates his rival’s comeback, armed and prepared to engage in a fierce battle to seize the throne for himself.

Mirzapur Season 3 Teaser:

The teaser commences with the resonant voice of Kulbhushan Kharbanda, heralding the imminent confrontation between the’sher’, Kaleen Bhaiya, and the’sawa sher’, Guddu Pandit, as they battle for supremacy over the throne. Providing an enticing glimpse into the upcoming showdown between the charismatic leads, the teaser also hints at the impending clash between Shweta Tripathi’s Golu and Isha Talwar’s Madhuri Yadav. Furthermore, it delves into the intricacies of familial relationships and the intricate power dynamics, presenting a rich tapestry interwoven with characters such as Vijay Varma, Rasika Dugal, Anjum Sharma, Priyanshu Painyuli, and a host of others.

Mirzapur was first released in 2018, when it became an instant hit. The show is backed by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Media. Here’s what Ritesh had to say about the new season: “The first two seasons of Mirzapur received phenomenal responses and love from our fans, both in India and around the world, which has been truly heartening and humbling. This overwhelming support is what motivates us to keep pushing our boundaries and delivering exceptional content. Our collaboration with Prime Video is a testament to this success, and we are committed to continuing to deliver compelling stories that strike a chord with audiences. We can’t wait for viewers to dive back into the quintessential world of Mirzapur and experience the thrilling ride that awaits them in Season 3.”

Ministry of Information & Broadcasting takes action against ‘obscene’ content on OTT platforms

March 14, 2024, 12:43 pm

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) has taken action, in coordination with various intermediaries, to block 18 OTT platforms publishing “obscene,” “vulgar,” and, in some instances, “pornographic content”.

19 websites, 10 apps (7 on the Google Play Store and 3 on the Apple App Store), and 57 social media accounts associated with these platforms have been disabled for public access in India, an official statement from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said on Thursday.

Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Anurag Singh Thakur has repeatedly emphasized the responsibility of the platforms to not propagate obscenity, vulgarity and abuse under the guise of ‘creative expression’. On March 12, Thakur announced that 18 OTT platforms publishing obscene and vulgar content had been taken down, the release said.

The statement further added that the recent decision was taken under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000, in consultation with other ministries of the Government of India, and domain experts specializing in media and entertainment, women’s rights, and child rights.

“A significant portion of the content hosted on these platforms was found to be obscene, vulgar, and portrayed women in a demeaning manner. It depicted nudity and sexual acts in various inappropriate contexts, such as relationships between teachers and students, incestuous family relationships, etc. The content included sexual innuendos and, in some instances, prolonged segments of pornographic and sexually explicit scenes devoid of any thematic or societal relevance,” the statement added.

The content was determined to be prima facie in violation of Sections 67 and 67A of the IT Act, Section 292 of the IPC, and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, the release said.

One of the OTT apps amassed more than 1 crore downloads, while two others had over 50 lakh downloads on the Google Play Store. Additionally, these OTT platforms extensively utilize social media to disseminate trailers, specific scenes, and external links aimed at attracting audiences to their websites and apps. The social media accounts of the concerned OTT platforms had a cumulative followership of over 32 lakh users, it said.
The Ministry of I&B consistently conducts sensitization efforts with OTT platforms and their self-regulatory bodies established under the IT Rules, 2021 through meetings, webinars, workshops, etc, the statement said.

The Government of India remains committed to fostering the growth and development of the OTT industry. Several measures have been undertaken in this regard, including the introduction of the Inaugural OTT Award for Web Series at the 54th International Film Festival of India, collaboration with OTT platforms in the media and entertainment sector, and the establishment of a light touch regulatory framework with an emphasis on self-regulation under the IT Rules, 2021, the release said.

Marvel’s ‘Echo’ Hits the Screens; Official Trailer and Streaming Date Revealed!

November 4, 2023, 12:18 pm

On Friday, an official trailer for the eagerly awaited action thriller ECHO was released. The trailer was shared on Instagram by the production company behind the series, Marvel Studios, with the message, “No bad deed goes unpunished. All episodes of Marvel Studios’ #Echo, a new Original series, streaming January 10 on @DisneyPlus & @Hulu. Set your Disney+ profile to TV-MA to stream. All episodes will be available on Hulu until April 9.

The trailer provided a gripping glimpse into the storyline and introduced Marvel’s first Native American and deaf lead. In addition, Deadline reports that the series ‘Echo’ has received a TVMA rating in its first season on Disney’s streaming service marking one of the first Marvel shows to do so.

Audiences were first introduced to Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez in ‘Hawkeye’. In ‘Echo’, Maya finds herself in the crosshairs of Wilson Fisk, also known as Kingpin (portrayed by Vincent D’Onofrio), and his criminal empire. As Deadline reports, Maya will have to confront her own family and legacy as she returns home.

The series is set to start streaming on the popular OTT platform Disney+ Hotstar from January 10. ‘Echo’ represents a departure for Marvel Studios, with its grittier and more mature content, which is reflected in the TVMA rating.

Apart from Alaqua Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio, the cast includes Chaske Spencer, Graham Greene, Tantoo Cardinal, Devery Jacobs, Zahn McClarnon, Cody Lightning.

Union Health Ministry notifies new rules for anti-tobacco warnings on OTT platforms

May 31, 2023, 2:57 pm

The Union Health Ministry has issued new guidelines for OTT platforms regarding anti-tobacco warnings. According to the notification, it is now mandatory for OTT platforms to display anti-tobacco warning messages. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated that strict action will be taken by both the Union Health Ministry and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting if online content publishers fail to comply with the new rules. This notification aligns OTT platforms with theatres and TV programs, where we commonly see anti-tobacco warning messages. The announcement coincides with the observance of ‘World No Tobacco Day’ on May 31.

“If the publisher of online curated content fails to comply with the provisions of sub-rules an interministerial committee consisting of representatives from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, shall take action suo motu or on a complaint, and after identifying the publisher of online curated content, issue notice giving reasonable opportunity to explain such failure and make appropriate modification in the content,” the notification said.

Tobacco addiction has been acknowledged as the leading cause of preventable death and disability on a global scale. It results in millions of deaths annually worldwide. Binoy Mathew, the program manager at the Voluntary Health Association of India, expressed his approval of India’s groundbreaking step in regulating tobacco promotion through the entertainment medium, stating that it would establish India as a world leader in this area. India bears a significant burden of tobacco-related mortality, accounting for approximately 1.35 million deaths each year. Moreover, it holds the distinction of being the second-largest consumer and producer of tobacco. Globally, tobacco use claims the lives of around 8 million people every year, with 1.35 million of those deaths occurring in India.

Taapsee Pannu’s ‘Shabaash Mithu’ to stream on Voot Select; streaming date awaited

August 10, 2022, 1:23 pm

Bollywood actor Taapsee Pannu’s film ‘Shabaash Mithu’ is all set to stream on OTT platform Voot. Recently the movie released in theaters but failed to impress the audience.

The movie is based on the life of Indian cricketer Mithali Raj. Pannu’s movie is slated to stream on Voot select in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. Meanwhile, the final streaming date of the film is still awaited.

Earlier on Tuesday, Voot Select dropped a teaser of the film on Instagram. “The untold story of a fighter, an achiever, and a game changer who deserves a ‘Shabaash’ over and over again. Watch Taapsee Pannu as ace cricketer Mithali Raj, in the World Digital Premiere of Shabaash Mithu, Coming soon on #VootSelect,” Voot captioned.

Taapsee portrayed the role of a sportsperson for the third time in her career.

Meanwhile, Pannu shared her excitement about the movie’s OTT release and said, ” This film is very close to me. As someone who prides in championing roles and characters that celebrate women, playing the character of an iconic and truly inspiring cricketer has been a matter of immense pride and satisfaction. It was a challenging character to portray, especially as every chapter in Mithali’s life revealed the many layers of this national inspiration. I am very excited about its release on Voot Select.”

However, the movie was released on 15 July 2022 and is helmed by Sriji Mukherji.

Do you too share the Netflix Pasword ?

July 19, 2022, 3:36 pm

The giant streaming service Netflix is trying out a new payment method for those who steal passwords.

The OTT is coming up with a feature that allows users to enable access from a second home for a fee that would be chargeable in five nations of America.

The feature of “add a home” will be accessible for people inArgentina, the Dominican Republic, El SalvadorGuatemala,and Honduras. No announcement for Indian users have been made yet.

Anyone using the second home feature will be able to access Netflix’s services on any device at a lower price than a standalone membership.

As per reports by Netflix, the login information of users is shared with more than 100 million non-paying households across the world, with 30 million alone in the United States and Canada, violating the terms and policies of the company.Also, we have prepared a list of sites where you can download tv series for free.

Netflix’s Director of Product Innovation, Chengyi Long, said, “widespread account sharing between households undermines our long-term ability to invest in and improve our service.”

AMIT SADH PORTRAYS MANY SHADES AS A REAL-LIFE HERO IN ‘JEET KI ZID’

December 31, 2020, 3:50 am

After garnering accolades including the coveted Filmfare award in 2020 for his performances on the OTT platform, Amit Sadh is back with a bang for 2021. Treating his audience to a sweet surprise, Amit has played the role of an unknown real-life hero of the Indian Armed Forces for his new web show ‘Jeet ki Zid’. The actor looks completely transformed for his new role as he holds crutches by his sides and is also seen in high octane action in the Olive Green uniform of the Indian Special Forces. As he normally does, Amit has gone inside the skin of the character. While the teaser received a massive positive response, the trailer has set the standards higher.

The show is based on the true story of Major Deependra Singh Sengar, a Special Forces Officer who is a not only a Sena Medal winner for his exploits in the Indian Armed Forces but has also been able to turn around major obstacles in his life. With the support of his wife Jaya, Major Deep is a true testimony of the spirit of the term “never give up”

Talking about taking up this role, Amit said, “This has been an extremely challenging role, indeed. After the love I received from my fans and well-wishers in 2020, I felt it was my time to pay back to the society and make a positive societal impact in 2021. Since this is a true story, I had to be very vigilant on portraying the role. In difficult times like we have faced in 2020, this is a very pertinent story and if the story of Major Deep can positively influence people, we would have achieved our objective.”

Amit’s hard work surely reflects and he has got us sitting on the edge of our seats. The trailer certainly sent shivers down our spine and we can’t wait for the show to drop on Zee5 premium. ‘Jeet ki Zid’, directed by Vishal Manglorkar, also stars Sushant Singh, Amrita Puri and Aly Goni and is produced by Boney Kapoor, Akash Chawla and Arunava Sengupta. It will release on 22 January.

OTT brought freshness in terms of content and talents: Rajesh Jais

December 30, 2020, 4:49 am

NEW DELHI: Versatile actor Rajesh Jais, who was recently seen in SonyLiv’s Scam 1992, Pataal Lok and Panchayat on Amazon Prime, spoke about the year 2020, lockdown learning, previous works being released, OTT boom and expectations from 2021. He has been seen playing notable roles in Raazi, Why Cheat India, Airlift, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety. Recently seen in Kiara Advani-starrer Indoo ki Jawani, Inside edge 3 and Gormint on Amazon Prime and is currently shooting for Chhori with Nusrat Bharucha and Mita Vashishtha.

Q. When you look back at the year gone by, how was 2020 for you?

A. 2020 started on a good note. I was quite busy in the initial months, had returned from abroad after finishing one project, shifted to a new house and the lockdown was declared. Still, no work has been done at the new home so, managing with basics. The pandemic was unprecedented for everyone. People got caught unaware in an uncharted situation ever. It is worse than a traditional war where conflict area and the enemy is visible and marked but Corona is omnipresent. So scary it is that human-social chemistry is disconnected so badly that never in civil history it has been examined. Kids are debarred from school, friends and playgrounds, sitting home all day consumed in the digital/virtual world is a pathetic phase going on and on.

Q. What was the lockdown learning for you?

A. Prepare for unforeseen situations and circumstances in terms of finance, health, loved ones, food, habits and hygiene.

Q. What did you miss the most doing this year and why?

A.Work, get-togethers, eating out, vagabondism and incidentally, the pleasure it all has makes you feel liberated.

Q. Professionally, how was the year for you?

A. I was working quite decently till the lockdown started but after that, till November it was big zero. The call was mine though not to work or go out despite occasionally getting work-related calls. But then how long can you keep sitting at home? My few previous works got released in this period: Indu ki Jawani ,Fastey Fasaatey, Scam 1992, Pataal Lok and Panchayat and Mahindra Tech ad.

Q. What was the lowest moment for you this year?

A. The lowest moments were the visuals of the exodus of migrant labour and their misery. It was a shame for this civil human society at large, I just can’t get over it. The polity, administration and system, all should be questioned for this heinous outcome of our so-called social welfare system.

Q. What was the best moment for you this year?

A. Having spent massive time with family, not friends as they also became untouchable these days (laughs). Watching favourite films, listening to music and some readings.

Q. What do you believe will change in the entertainment industry after this year?

A. A lot will change. Film formats should suit the economics. So-called star system will be scrutinised based on the business in ‘No Theatre Release Regime’. Web series one after another taking centre stage winking at big-ticket films that are struggling to get audiences. None of the films worked on OTTs these days even though they were forced to release on OTT, some courtesy to waves against nepotism too and an open challenge being thrown by the OTTs.

Q. How do you see the OTT boom in India? Do you believe the digital medium is here to stay and how will it change things for you?

A. It brought a much needed new era with lots of freshness in terms of content and talents of all the faculties of film making. A plethora of extremely talented producers, directors, writers, technicians and actors emerged or got limelight simply because of their sheer talent along with many seasoned veteran actors. Cheap internet data, international competitiveness, tech at par and intent to come out from the obsolete system has catapulted the new wind of OTTs. Only a few top-notch can survive in this rat race.

Q. What is your New Year’s resolution?

A. ‘Man proposes, God disposes’ I can’t make a resolution, as we all have seen by now – who are we to decide. Not a single astrologer in this entire world could see Coronavirus coming (laughs), they are the next to be tabled in the news channels for questioning. Jokes apart remain calm and composed, self-control, hygiene, discipline and remain a responsible citizen is the need of the hour, so be it.

Q. What are your hopes as you look forward to 2021?

A. Hoping to get rid of Coronavirus first, rest will pop up naturally. The entire human race is fed up of this pandemic. It pushed back our civilisation a few decades. I can’t see more loss of lives, means, jobs and misery it brought. So, praying to get it stopped as soon as possible.

MORE AVENUES TO PROVE MYSELF AS A PERFORMER THANKS TO OTT: ZAHEER IQBAL

December 30, 2020, 4:45 am

Q. How has 2020 been for you ?

A. It has been eye opening and inspiring.

Q. What is the one thing you learnt during lockdown?

A. I found out that I am capable of making the most of any situation.

Q. What did you miss the most this year and why?

A. Working, because I hate sitting idle.

Q. How was 2020 for you professionally?

A. It started off terribly because of the pandemic but things have gotten great after September.

Q. What was the lowest moment for you this year?

A. When my parents and niece contracted Covid-19.

Q. What was the best moment for you this year?

A. I will announce it soon!

Q. What do you believe will change in the entertainment industry after this year?

A. Audiences will expect more and better content than before since everyone has been home, watching what the world has to offer.

Q. How do you see the OTT boom in India? Do you believe the digital medium is here to stay? Howwill it change things for you?

A. It’s definitely here to stay. But, having said that, I don’t think anything can beat the movie-going experience or watching a movie in a theatre on the big screen. But OTT has opened up a lot ofavenues for me as an actor and prove myself as a performer.

Q. What is your New Year’s resolution?

A. To quit smoking.

Q. What are your hopes as you look forward to 2021?

A. Big box office numbers for myself!

NAWAZUDDIN SIDDIQUI WINS THE BEST ACTOR AWARD

December 23, 2020, 4:26 am

Nawazuddin Siddiqui has established himself as one of the most formidable names in the entertainment industry, rising to the top with back-to-back stellar performances. This year, for his noteworthy performance in ‘Raat Akeli Hai’, he was felicitated with ‘Best Actor’ award by a leading platform. The Daily Guardian spoke to Nawazuddin about this victory. He said, “It’s an honour to have received the prestigious Black Lady for ‘Raat Akeli Hai’. 2020 was a challenging year for most of us but I’m glad that this year with ‘Raat Akeli Hai’ and ‘Serious Men’ I could connect with my audiences. Good content indeed has been a support system for everyone during this pandemic. I’m grateful that all the hard work is being acknowledged and it is a huge recognition for the actors, creators, writers and everyone else who are involved. It’s a motivation to do better and achieve the other goals that I have for next year.”

Adding another feather to his cap, he won the award for playing Jatil Yadav, a police officer with complex emotions. The talented actor has always impressed us with his performances in the past Nawazuddin’s role in this film had garnered a lot of love from the audience and critics. As an artist, he has firmly rooted his place in the OTT space. Nawazuddin will be next seen in ‘Bole Chudiyan’, ‘Sangeen’, and ‘Jogira Sara Ra Ra’.

CAN’T IMAGINE HOW WE’D HAVE SURVIVED WITHOUT OTT PLATFORMS: SWARA

December 22, 2020, 8:13 am

MUMBAI: Actress Swara Bhasker is grateful for the emergence of OTT platforms, and says she cannot imagine how one would have survived the pandemic without the digital platforms.

This year, Swara delivered back-to-back releases in the OTT space, portraying a sensuous teacher in Rasbhari, a police officer in Flesh, and a runaway bride-turned stand-up comic in Bhaag Beanie Bhaag.

“This year has been a creatively exciting and fulfilling period workwise, having seen the back-to-back release of three series on streaming platforms. The overwhelming reception in this format has been wonderful,” Swara said.

“It’s been a strangely blessed year where despite the pandemic I’ve seen such success and warmth from the audiences… I’m grateful for the emergence of OTT platforms—I cannot imagine how we would have survived the pandemic without the Internet and digital platforms,” she added.