War Games

Projected as the channel’s contribution to the fight against terror,D3 will train contestants in real techniques used by the Indian army,including jungle and urban warfare,water landing,night navigations and a daily session of rigorous drills. Even an imitation obstacle course,complete with barbed wires and old tyres,has been set up at the top of the nearby hillock.

The show has enlisted the services of three former Indian army officers—Captain Albert Louis,Captain Kshitij Sharma and Captain Dharamveer Singh—to train and judge the participants. Captain Louis says,“We wanted them to go through the same kind of experiences that soldiers do. The point is to push them to their ultimate physical and mental limits.”

Everything is in keeping with the conditions demanded by Dadagiri,one of the most physically and mentally demanding shows on Indian television—the tasks include mock jungle battles and climbing down a vertical cliff,a free fall from which would mean instant death on the craggy rocks that jut out of the sea below. The living conditions are practically primitive. There are no air-conditioned vanity vans: only tents where pedestal fans ineffectively stir the muggy air and three shower stalls shared by all 14 of the contestants,including the six girls. The temperature is so high that when the contestants try to demonstrate their shooting skills,they are unable to do so,simply because the plastic bullets they use have melted in the heat.

Everyone has learnt something on the show. As he follows the contestants to the hill-top obstacle course,Bhatena says that by virtue of being part of the camp,since his vanity van has been banished,he knows how tough a soldier’s life is. Vishal Bhonsle,the resident bully,or Dada,says that he’s picked up discipline as well. “I don’t swear as much as I used to. I assure you that this is going to be a ‘bleep-less’ season,” he grins. As for the contestants,they admit it’s been the toughest journey of their lives. As he waits his turn to climb down the steep rocky face of the cliff,Akshay Chand,a call centre executive from Delhi,tells us,“I don’t think I’ve ever experienced anything more difficult. But it’s worth it for the strength and discipline that it’s giving me.” Their few weeks of working on this difficult terrain have shown results—even as the rest struggle to walk down the steep slope,the young ‘cadets’ run up and down quite easily. One compensation is Kolwel’s natural beauty. “Keep an eye out for dolphins,” says Chand,“they pass by here around 6 pm.”

However,despite the rigorous routine it’s not clear how this show will help the country fight terrorism. Bindass’ business head,Nikhil Gandhi gives us the usual spiel. “It’ll educate today’s youth on how to combat terrorism and will teach them to be socially responsible and fearless.” He says that in addition to winning Rs 10 lakh,the last person standing will get the chance to accompany real soldiers to the front. “We’ve also tied up with the Indian army to show recruitment ads,for free,during the broadcast of the show,” he adds.