Confession Box

Yes,confirms Star’s Senior Consultant and renowned Psychiatrist Dr. Sanjay Chugh. “It is a huge deal for 99.99% people. People lie to avoid unpleasantness. People lie so that they don’t get trapped,people lie to get material and non material benefits. Telling the truth would probably jeopardize a lot of this,” he explains. If yes,then why take the risk of airing a national confession? “While the initial temptation can be the money,it requires a huge amount of introspection,inner strength and desire to get rid of negativity and emotional baggage within oneself for a person to agree to appear on the show. There’s also the hope that maybe he/she would not be trapped on a sticky wicket. And the optimism of megabucks would wash away any diffidence or reluctance,” says Dr Chugh.

Legally,the implications aren’t many. “But socially,it can cause unpleasantness. However,if the people around you realize the guts that it took to bare your heart and soul in front of the camera,they’ll condone anything that you have done or ‘confessed’ to,” Dr Chugh comes to the rescue and adds that telling the truth is in a way cathartic. “It gives the mind a wonderful chance to ventilate or abreact without fear of judgment,of morality or righteous indignation.”

According to Dr Chugh,the show has a positive fallout,where contestants can start acting as positive role models for viewers,encouraging them to get rid of their pretenses and lies.

As for the Star Plus team,they defend themselves on the grounds of placing the show on adult time,the 10:30pm slot. “Moreover,it’s a game show,I don’t see why it’s being made such a big issue out of,” says one of the spokesperson adding how the SKS helpline has received more than 5000 calls from people wanting to participate in the show; and more than 12000 online enquiries,most of them from Haryana!

“Basically,this show is about having strength of character to face the truth and turn over a new leaf. It is a show that promotes truth and honesty. Participation on this show is completely voluntary. We believe that Indian audiences are mature enough for this kind of TV content,” they add.

Meanwhile,contestant Yusuf Hussain’s feels that post Sach Ka Saamna his family has come closer and his son in-law now understands him even better. Saifeena,his daughter says,“My father’s confession has made me realize what he must have gone through in his life at that point and time. It has also completely not only changed my relationship with my father,but I now also understand what it must have been for my mother at that time and this has raised the level of respect in my heart towards both my parents.” Like they say fact is stranger than fiction!