Prime-time television in India is not really known for sensible content, especially soap operas. Switching on the telly and sitting through one “saas-bahu” serial after another is the newest form of torture that one can put oneself through. However, a part of the audience jumped ships to reality shows after they had a ‘moment of realization’ that the daily soaps could be more harmful than Imran Khan’s superficial, farce and fake speech at the UNGA for human sense organs. The gullible audience, however, had no idea that these not-so-real reality shows offer a ‘scripted’ reality and are an updated version of daily soaps.
The mind-boggling ‘scripted’ reality shows
Indian reality shows, during their beginning around the early 2000s, was more real than what it is now. While the TRP of reality shows were increasing, the audience realized that it’s all scripted. From the romantic angles to the rivalries and emotional stories of the contestants, everything is planned backstage.
The stories are churned out by scriptwriters and makers of the reality shows to gain TRP, which ends up leaving no authenticity. From Kaun Banega Crorepati hosted by Superstar Amitabh Bacchan to Bigg Boss and Splitsvilla, almost every reality show in India has been accused of staging things and cooking up stories.
Under the garb of reality, the host and judges peddle fake narratives to play with the audience’s emotions. Senior TV producer and veteran Bollywood actor Manoj Kumar’s cousin, Manish Goswami, the producer of more than 35 shows including ‘Daraar’, ‘Adhikar’, ‘Aashirwad’, ‘Kartavya, once stated, “In India, reality shows are scripted. They are scripted to an extent that they become viewer-friendly. The target audience has been identified and they are given what they’re waiting for. The makers want to get all the expressions in a 45-60 minute capsule and the viewer-excitement quotient is kept in mind. But I don’t think that this happens abroad as they are very strict there.”
Legendary Choreographer Saroj Khan’s daughter Sukaina also stated that her mother had stopped accepting reality shows offers as she was asked to favour some contestants. Sukaina said, “They wanted my mother to favour some contestants because those contestants were paying them. ‘Isko first rakho, usko second rakho.’ Mom, who was always a blunt person and took a stand against the wrongs around her, said she would rather stand by her ethics than do such biased projects.”
Turning down the reality shows offers, Bollywood choreographer Ganesh Acharya, also stated that “The dancing on Indian television is not something that he offers in the Bollywood films where his services are required. Woh shows meri dance se alaghain.”
The not-so-real reality shows
- Kaun Banega Crorepati: KBC hosted by Senior Bachchan is accused of staging false struggle stories about contestants. Also, the contestants winning Rs. 1 crore in KBC, take home around 70 Lakhs only after deducing tax and other charges. Also, the audience poll is already prepared for the question accounting for a higher amount.
- Bigg Boss: Bigg Boss is no short of drama. The contestants unable to bring TRP to the show are eliminated despite their popularity. Though food sometimes is prepared by the staff only, the contestants are seen fighting while cooking in the kitchen.
- Indian Idol: Except for Neha Kakkar’s crocodile tears in the show, nothing is real about Indian Idol. The winners are pre-decided and poor performers who make the audience laugh are also taken to the top to maintain the entertainment quotient of the show.
- Dance India Dance: Bollywood actress Sanya Malhotra, in a cryptic manner, had once revealed that she was evicted from a popular dance reality show as she didn’t have an emotional story to share. The contestants were being selected on the basis of their family background and conflicts with their parents.
- MTV Splitsvilla and Roadies: MTV shows are all about partiality. The roadies winners are taken to Spiltsvilla and then made the winner. Prince Narula, a popular actor and king of reality shows, who also won Bigg Boss, is one such product of MTV preferences. From the tasks, breakups, patch-ups and fights; every story is cooked prior to the shoot.
Ex-contestants statements proving dark side of reality shows
Some of the ex-contestants have shared their experiences and the dark side of reality shows. Bigg Boss contestants Priya Malik and Shefali Bagga revealed that there is a group discussion debate before entering the show and the procedure is only for commoners. They told that the show is not fixed but is edited heavily to change the perspective of the audience.
As per reports, contestants on Roadies have to sign a contract asking them to not share backstage or production secrets, else they will have to pay Rs 10 lakh to the makers. It also quoted a contestant named Palak as saying that “The show is scripted and people are eliminated based on how much people are liking them. Wild card entries are also done keeping this in mind.”
An ex-Splitsvilla contestant also revealed that the show is “not scripted but it’s rigged”. He told that people act as per their pre-planned theory to get more screen-time. The same report also stated that the makers of the show also ask the contestants to do certain things to get TRPs.
The world of reality TV has become more diluted and repetitive and thus it requires an immediate innovation to maintain the authenticity of Indian Television.
