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Journalism of Courage
Have you ever felt frustrated when a show becomes too popular and hyped — so much so that, even if you were initially planning to watch it, you simply lose interest? If yes, you might be more like Konkona Sensharma than you think.
The National Film Award-winning actor recently shared her candid take on binge-watching and hype culture in a podcast with Chalchitra Talks. “If too much of a big deal is being made of something na, then I don’t want to watch it,” Konkona admitted.
She revealed that she had followed the American neo-Western crime drama Breaking Bad religiously until just before the finale. “I saw every single episode except the last one,” she said.
The mounting hype around the finale didn’t sit well with her — which is precisely why she never watched it, not even later. “You know the way they were being with that baby and everything [referring to the slow buildup during the final episode], I was getting irritated with them only… the way they were making us watch it like drug addicts and all. I was like, mai nahi dekhungi last episode.” Commenting on the trend of looking down upon those who haven’t seen the latest trending show, Konkona shrugged off: “Kar do mujhe ostracise, kya hai.”
She also pointed out that many shows also rely on hype cycles that can compromise quality. “They just want to make it amazing in the last 5–10 minutes. This is the problem with binge-watching.. because they want you to binge, no? The consistency of quality… it lags in between.”
Many people related to Konkona’s sentiments and admitted that they, too, lose interest in something once it’s hyped up too much. Fascinated by these binge-watch confessions, we reached out to Ms. Arpita Kohli, Psychologist & Counsellor, PSRI Hospital, to understand why some people instinctively step away from overhyped shows.
When a show or film becomes widely popular, Kohli explains, some individuals experience what’s known as a “psychological reactance” — a subtle resistance to perceived social pressure. “The overexposure and constant discussion around a trending show can create a feeling of saturation even before the person watches it,” the psychologist points out. They may also develop unrealistically high expectations that the content often fails to meet, leading to disappointment or disinterest. “For some, it’s less about the show itself and more about wanting to retain autonomy in their choices rather than following what everyone else seems to be doing.”
The psychologist affirms that this reaction is closely tied to the need for individuality and self-identity. “People who value independent thinking often feel uncomfortable when their preferences are dictated by social trends or group behaviour,” Kohli explains, while adding that subconsciously, these people resist joining the crowd because it threatens their sense of uniqueness. “It’s a way of preserving personal authenticity — they want their interests to reflect who they are, not what’s currently popular. This is especially true in the age of social media, where trends spread rapidly, and people feel a stronger need to stand out rather than blend in.”
Kohli tells indianexpress.com that individuals with high levels of introspection, analytical thinking, or creativity are more likely to experience this reaction. “They tend to seek depth, originality, and meaning in their entertainment choices.” Additionally, people with a strong sense of self or those who are sceptical of mass opinion may also reject overly hyped content. Emotionally, this can stem from a need for control, a dislike for conformity, or a previous experience of being disappointed by overhyped shows, as per Kohli. “Introverts, in particular, may prefer discovering things quietly on their own rather than through social validation,” she further adds.
The psychologist confirms that excessive hype can distort expectations and reduce emotional satisfaction. She explains that when a show is marketed or discussed as “life-changing” or “the best ever,” viewers approach it with inflated anticipation, and if the experience doesn’t meet those expectations, it often feels underwhelming, even if the content is objectively good. “The emotional payoff is diminished because surprise and discovery — key parts of enjoyment — are lost.” She further adds that watching something without external noise allows for a more authentic connection to the story and characters. “In essence, hype can shift focus from personal enjoyment to social comparison, which often spoils the experience,” Kohli concludes.
