The Dreams Disney Shows Gave To Indian kids
Wish we could have the best of both worlds, too
Kids love anything that is different than what they have. Show them something new and shiny, they will lose their minds. And if we are talking about Indian kids, we would literally trade our minds for that. Disney shows were the best shiny thing when we were kids.
They were a big part of our childhood, especially for girls. For me and my sister, it started with the show ‘That’s So Raven’. It was the first Disney show we watched and absolutely loved. Then came Hannah Montana, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Wizards of Waverly Place, etc.
Needless to say, we wanted the lives the characters from these shows had, not exactly realizing how much of it was fiction.
The School Life
The Lockers! Every Indian kid wanted lockers. They seemed so cool and cooler when they were personalized or decorated with mirrors, polaroids, etc. My school even had rumors that we were going to have lockers and well, we didn’t. We were jealous of the schools allowed whatever clothes because our schools make lame uniforms with two braids compulsory. Casuals are allowed only twice a year.
Indian schools are great, no doubt. But there were certain things that we didn’t have. The cool desks, soft-hearted teachers, gym classes and cafeteria really made us want to wish we moved out of India or had our school interior changed.
The Dating Life
First, how are you allowed to be friends with other genders from an early age? If we even so much as glance at a boy in India, we can count on the neighbor aunty to snitch on us at our home within 10 minutes of seeing us. Even though it is 2020, dating in India is still not normalized due to “traditional values” that basically means caste system and patriarchy.
To see Miley Cyrus, Alex, London Tipton go out on dates with guys was quite surprising. Also, where do find such cute boys?
Boys in my school didn’t even have decent hair, let alone looks and personality.
The Double Life
I know you thought of Hannah Montana and that is definitely who I meant. To have the stardom and lead a normal life, all one needs is talent, that most of us lacked. Regardless, we wished we had that life.
Raven from ‘That’s So Raven’ had secret power that allowed her to see the future. Alex from ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ could do magic. It usually led to a lot of problems and drama but an Indian teenager still found it desirable.
But remember the neighbor aunty? She would probably find out about these secrets too.
The Suite Life
Everyone wishes to stay at a 5-star hotel and most of us manage to do so. But what if we could live at one for the rest of our lives for free? The suite life of Zack and Cody taught me that this could be possible which is a lie, I know now. If this is still impossible, can we please own a hotel like London Tipton?
Imagine having a Suite Room for yourself! Most of us Indian kids haven’t even had separate rooms until we moved our of our parents' house.
The Real Life
Miley wasn’t really Hannah? Alex wasn’t a wizard but actually a singer by the name Selena? Raven in real life is cooler than the Raven from the show? Once we realized how everything that happened on the show wasn’t real, it was disappointing. The lives of the characters were more exciting than the lives of the actors.
Since we had grown up and had ways to find out more about the real lives of the actors, it gave us new dreams. New dreams of real-life fame!
But instead of the paparazzi, we have the neighbor aunty keeping tabs on us.
Even though these shows ended a long time ago, they still hold a special place in our hearts. Most of us still re-watch them and sing their title songs. We still follow what is up with the actors because we feel connected to them as we watched them grow up while we were growing up ourselves. Or as the Disney stars would say…
I think we’re almost legendary
You and me the perfect team
Shaking up the scene
We’re one and the same.
