Reality Shows on Indian Television

The reality shows are becoming extremely popular on Indian television. Almost every channel is broadcasting one or the other reality show. These shows provide relief from the saas-bahu soaps. These shows give opportunities to the prodigies residing in the interiors of the country to showcase their talent.

The craze for reality television hit India when channel V came up with Viva, a band of five young singers. This show was a big success and an inspiration for both the shrewd business minds and also for the young dreamers waiting for their share of fame.

Reality shows not only changed the destinies of many television channels but also of many ordinary people, people like Kunal Ganjawala, Sunidhi Chauhan, Shreya Ghosal and Debojit are some of the successful finds of reality television.

Reality television is a win-win situation for everyone, be it contestants, channels or the viewers. For the viewers, they are a refreshing change from the somnolent Saas-bahu dramas. The biggest gainers, however, are the contestants who get the right platform to showcase their talent. There is a lot of untapped talent in our country and these shows by extending their reach to small cities provide an opportunity to bring out this hidden talent.

Reality shows have also had their share of criticism. Doubts have been raised over the authenticity of the voting system on the basis of which the contestants are voted out. The luck of the contestants depend on the basis of the votes cast by people sitting at home with hardly any knowledge about the technicalities involved in a contest like singing or dancing

Despite all this, the fact is that such shows enjoy great popularity among the audience. Reality shows are a ray of hope for the ordinary people. These shows not only give them the courage to dream but also the assistance to turn their dreams into reality. Such shows provide them with lifetime opportunities.

The definition of the reality shows has changed with the passage of time. Before the hugely popular Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), reality shows were limited to quiz programmes, chat shows, music-based countdown shows or game shows. Many of the reality programmes are adapted from tried and tested international formats.

On the other hand, made-in-India formats have their own charm. Formats as simple as Antakshari have proved that India has the potential to develop and sustain such formats. Another success has been Sa Re Ga Ma, which also brought talented singers like Shreya Ghosal to the forefront at a very early age.

The best thing about a reality show is that it is real, interactive and places the viewers on a pedestal which enables them to decide the winners. The best part about these shows is that the viewer’s go through the trials and tribulations of the participants. The ingredients of an ideal reality show are simple. It must appeal to all and the idea should be original and entertaining. Reality shows also offer valuable lessons to be learnt about viewer’s tastes and preferences.