Dear Indian Reality TV Shows, STOP disgracing us !

'Reality' what does this word mean? According to the net dictionary it means - "the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them." So what does the reality tv shows mean - to highlight the actual events that happen in a real time function or do actually exist. But how's that supposed to happen when each event in an Indian reality TV show looks damn scripted and fake. As a viewer, I have finally opened up to write about the traumatization a sane TV viewer goes through these 'over the top' whimsical so called reality shows that can put even the most boldest minded person to shame. The ingredients these days reality tv programmers use to cook their show for telly viewing, it makes me wonder is there hardly any level of desperation left to be crossed.



The Regular TV viewers who enjoy these kind of shows would mostly disagree with me, well I don't care because I care an opinion and I have reasons for them too. What I want to know if a reality show couldn't be entertaining without the silly dramas, fake emotions or over the top screams that plague our minds for an hour or two. Why are these factors forced into such programming? Random singers appear on Indian Idol junior and start praising participants as they have been following each and every episode, but the fact is, they are scripted into the timeline of the show, The trp's of Indian Idol Junior are a proof that the show not being taken too seriously with or without Sonakshi Sinha. It doesn't matter. If that's not enough, We have the laughable Jhalak Dikhala Ja which offers such a horrendous jhalak that you might want to skip the event.

Let's take a look at these factors which make these so so called reality shows completely unwatchable.

Scripted Events : A Reality show should be live and the events should follow it so that the effect could bring out a charm but in these shows, most of the events are pre-planned. Suppose in Jhalak Dikhlaja, right after a performance, the judges ask participants to do some random thing. ie. Shamita Shetty was once asked to do something blindfolded, now even a Child can guess what's really going on. Please ! If they think it's entertaining, Nope ! It only eats up the time, they performed, give them marks LET THEM GO ! But buffoonery is a part of showbiz and you need to showcase that.

Over the Top Anchors : Wonder Why every reality show has a complete Idiotic Tape recorder like anchor which doesn't have a 'stop' button. Of course ! Everyone can't be Kapil Sharma who entertains despite going over the top. The hosting on Jhalak Dikhalaja Ja can only be termed as amateurish. No ! I don't have to pinpoint against an anchor, It's the script they go through which brings the show down. Wonder how much we are getting used to this D Grade Entertainment. In a recent episode, The anchor calls the Judges of JDJ to perform singing in the most horrible manner - mind you most horrible way ever. and Guess What ! they delivers. Really sad to see a classy filmmaker like Karan Johar had to go through all this. There are better ways to have fun, wonder the makers of JDJ have given that a thought ? I don't think so.


Fake Emotions : The participants in these reality shows just need one reason to shed out buckets of tears. Play a tragic background tune and they will lend out couple of tears in seconds. They can give hard competition to anyone who vouches to compete for a crying competition. Seriously ! It looks fake. Not long ago, many actors have even confessed that they are bound to do such things. Well it goes on and it's the viewer who has to bear all this. It's 2015 folks ! bring something new to table please.

What Next ? - Once you win a reality show, what really happens I wonder. Every year, these shows launch new shows for kids to display their amazing talent - Mind you ! Nope ! They 'do not' spend crores of rupees just to display the talents of Children. They sell their voices to your homes so that you can bring them ratings. And once its over. It's Tata Bye ! Who remembers the first winner of Indian Idol Junior. Forget Juniors, where are the Adults? The Adult version went into a dump and never returned. Participating and winning these reality shows are much lesser comparable to performing in cultural events which carry more value, Wonder why people put Glamour first against culture, this seems to be the new trend but how successful It has been I really wonder.

Janta Janadhan : If such shows are working and still formatted in such a way, who can we possibly blame, the makers ? But why would they, as they are making good money from the ratings. People are watching it, enjoying it and it serves their purpose.  I have grown up watching SareGaMa - an old really classical show which Sonu Nigam used to host years ago. I was about 7 years then, still I remember that show and the classic 'Boogie Woogie'. I remember the freshness then, I appreciate the format and what should I call 'The quality' the makers brought to it. I am breeding in the age of gadgets and smartphones, while today generation might not be able to relate with those kind of shows, but what's really connectable in today's shows ? Where is the Quality ? Where is that passion ?

These are just the questions which people need to ask themselves, the way this 'chalta hai' entertainment is dragging its feet all along, It's because of our laziness that we are not giving any signs of progress towards the art of Television. I am not talking about just reality shows. Fiction shows have set a bigger example in this case. Good Concept shows do not run for 3 months and Saas bahu sagas are still ruling. The answer lies in our brains that we need to answer. We have grown up far from the 'Doordarshan' age. When are we supposed to grow up from here ?

- Atul Waswani