Wild things

The obvious answer is the thrill of adventure. For survival expert,Les Stroud,who’s produced several survival themed programmes like Snowshoes and Solitude,Off the Grid and Survivorman,it’s all part of pushing one’s self imposed limits. “To survive in the wild,you have to be able to more than just survive pain—you need your wits about you and you need to learn to make do with what you have.”

Negar Khan,who participated in Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao,believes that it’s our fears that make us want to lead life on the wild side. It may seem paradoxical,but she has an explanation. “It’s not about money. My biggest fears are darkness and wild animals and I had to confront these fears. This show was the best opportunity to do so. It’s not an experience any words can really describe. You have to be there to feel how harsh it is—you know what real starvation is and what it is like to fight for food. You emerge a stronger person at the end of the day.”

As to why people would watch this show,the answer is equally simple. Mini Mathur,who hosts Iss Jungle,says,“Until now on reality shows,the participants would be cooped up in a house and the only thing exciting about that would be the politics they play. Now the excitement is much more visceral.”

Rajiv Bakshi,director of marketing and communication,Discovery Channel,feels that in a way,people are also preparing themselves for a ‘what if situation’. “When people watch survival shows they,consciously or unconsciously,pick up tips from them. What if they too get lost in the wild someday—with no food,shelter or protection?”

There are variations here—something like I’m a Celebrity,despite the clear and present danger,happens in a relatively controlled environment,although that doesn’t make it any less scary. As Khan says,“I think it was the sight of the ambulances and helicopters,ever ready to rescue us,which really brought home to us the high risk situation we were in.”

But the dangers are greater,if,like Stroud,one ventures all alone into the wild and shoots oneself,with no crew around—there’s no safety net there. The audience also varies accordingly. Those reared on soap operas are lured by the more dramatised and relatively less risky shows like I’m a Celebrity and Iss Jungle,while those looking for an adrenaline rush,like young male adults,are hooked to Man Vs Wild. “That’s because it’s great reality TV,” explains Bakshi,“When a person jumps off a cliff,he actually jumps off a cliff.”