The moment of truth

For the last few weeks, my bedroom has become a voyeur's paradise. Every night, the husband switches on to reality show Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao. I'd silently celebrated the end of Bigg Boss, but all too soon, this new show hit a screen before me. I don't quite fancy the show myself, but sometimes my Peeping Tom instincts get the better of me. It's all there the shock value, the ugly confrontations and the wretchedly gooey situations.

So even if the victims happen to be micro celebrities, there's still some thrill in watching them going through dire situations.

Reality TV is India's biggest phenomenon right now. I was speaking to a pal from NDTV and she mentioned casually how Rakhi Sawant had almost saved the group from total collapse. For years, the company's head honcho Prannoy Roy had claimed his 'channels' were different certain stories, scandals and controversies were avoided in the name of credibility and integrity. In recent times, NDTV's market standing has taken a severe beating none of its channels are leaders in their categories so they don't really have that one big brand to drive the group. But Rakhi changed all of that. NDTV Imagine's ratings sky-rocketed as viewers remained glued to the pathetic display of her demure avatar. It got in the numbers and Prannoy finally got the break he was looking for.

I have nothing against the show or Rakhi anyway. At least she's honest about her decision to be a part of the show she did it for the money and fame, which is perfectly justified. At least she didn't camouflage her intent by pretending to be virtuous about it. I'd prefer a Rakhi Sawant over a Kiran Bedi any day. The ex-cop does a show on a channel where she claims to solve crisis situations in people's domestic lives. So we have a hapless old woman sobbing her heart out over the treatment meted out to her by her sons. I know people who watch it because they enjoy soaking on others' sorrows. That's voyeurism of the worst kind.

Or then we have the classy Shekhar Kapur judging a performance-based show he says he's looking for India's best talent. But the only enjoyable bits (for him too) are when he has some contestants making complete asses of themselves. Their helplessness that translates to public embarrassment is awkward to watch, but that's also the show's USP.

We always like to see others fall so we can feel one up on them. There's also Sach Ka Saamna I love the squirming moments in it. But when Rajeev Khandelwal insists it's only about the truth, it's a augh. Nobody watches it for the moral fabric of the show, dear and you know it too. Without the gory confessions, the show is nothing. Be honest and stand up for what it's worth. And that's why someone like Rakhi Sawant is far more credible. At least she's doing what she is without any pretensions. Reality TV in India is getting bolder. It's time people on the show got real about it too.