Why are reality show contestants invariably isolated from their friends and families?
We’re all voyeurs. We like nothing better than to sit inside our bubbles and watch other people in their bubbles. Its no wonder then,that reality television shows are such a hit. Shows like Bigg Boss,MTV Roadies,Splitsvilla,Fame Gurukul and Biggest Loser Jeetega have provided many hours of mindless entertainment and enough fodder for cooler talk.
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One of the biggest factors which make reality shows a hit is that contestants are often kept isolated from their family and friends. According to Ashish Patil,MTV GM,that works for two reasons. Firstly,we watch these shows because we want to see these contestants react to their surroundings and we want to compare it to how we would react in a similar situation, he explains,Secondly,we often feel that we cant act out in the way we want and when we see the contestants doing just that,we get viewing pleasure out of it. Patil says isolation works because then the contestants have no choice but to react to their surroundings. If they had access to books and phones and the Internet,then theyd just get busy with those.
Natasha Grover,first runner-up on the show Biggest Loser Jeetega,acknowledges that it is separation from ones usual surroundings which makes life tough for contestants on shows. You need a really strong mind to get through the whole show,since you cant rely on your usual support system, she says,The only thing that gets you through is complete focus on the tasks at hand. Its worse on shows like Bigg Boss where you dont even have so many tasks consuming your time.
The latest show to adopt this tactic to up the stress levels is Channel [V Launchpad. The show now has a House of Rock where the contestants will be isolated. But Saurabh Kanwar,VP of content and communication,Channel [V insists that the new factor has been introduced not to increase the stress level of the contestants,but to decrease them. They dont have to worry about commuting to recordings and so they can just focus on making music. Maybe reality shows and their tactics are not so predictable after all.
Pooja Pillai is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, working with the National Editorial and Opinion section. Her work frequently explores the intersection of society, culture and technology.
Editorial Focus & Expertise
Pooja’s writing spans several key domains, often blending analytical commentary with cultural critique.
Art & Culture: She writes extensively on cinema, books, and the evolving landscape of arts and entertainment.
Technology & Society: Her work examines the human impact of the gig economy, the rise of AI in creative fields, and the cultural shifts driven by digital platforms.
Food & Lifestyle: She often uses food as a lens to explore history and politics, covering everything from the origins of pantry essentials to the impact of nutrition policy.
Politics: She closely tracks political developments in South and West India and provides commentary on international political transitions, including the shifting landscape of American politics.
Multimedia & Podcasting
Pooja is a prominent voice in the Indian Express’s digital ecosystem. She is the host of 'DeshKaal with Yogendra Yadav', weekly video podcast where she facilitates deep-dive conversations on Indian democracy, social movements, and current political affairs.
Notable Recent Works
Cinema & Identity: “SRK@60: Why Shah Rukh Khan is Bollywood's last, and only, superstar” – an analysis of stardom and the changing face of Indian identity
Global Politics: Commentary on the Trump administration’s misguided “war on woke culture” via typography and analysis of the visual semiotics of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s attire during successive visits to the White House.
Art & AI: “An unequal music: AI is lowering barriers at the cost of music itself” – a critique of how technology is redefining artistic value.
Professional Presence
Pooja is active on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, where she shares her latest columns and editorial insights.
Her full archive and latest updates can be found on her Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More
