Split Screen

Culture vultures: Fiction shows have to be rooted in Indian culture. As Vivek Bahl,executive creative director of Star India Pvt. Ltd points out,Shows not culturally rooted in todays scenario,will be quickly rejected as fake or irrelevant by todays demanding viewers.

However,the definition of Indian culture remains amorphous at best and it still begs the question: Why is Indian culture on television largely limited to that of Northern and Western India? How about a culturally-rooted show about a Catholic family in Goa struggling against real estate developers?

REALITY SHOWS

Drama quotient: Reality shows take to heart the adage that everyones got a story to tell. That is how they manage to get the whole nation hooked on to heartbreaks and love affairs of total strangers on shows like Emotional Atyachar and the fortunes of people like Ashmit Patel and Manoj Tiwari who we never gave a second thought to before they appeared on Bigg Boss.

As Ashvini Yardi,programming head of Colors,points out,about Bigg Boss,What appeals to viewers is its format,its contestants and the psychological battle within the house. That intrigue,coupled with the unique concept excites viewers to come on the show season after season.

Cause Celebre: Taking up relevant issues is fashionable these days,with even reality TV doing the same. Nikhil Gandhi,business head of UTV Bindass,which broadcasts Emotional Atyachar and Big Switch says,We take pains to research what the hot topics are with our target group,which is the youth. They agonize over topics like cheating and not getting along with parents,so naturally we address those issues.

If only the youth would bother a bit more about the state of the nation or the environment,then we might finally have programming on those topics.

Target audience: Anyone with a penchant for voyeurism is a fan of reality television. That includes practically everyone on the planet. After all,who wouldnt enjoy watching people abuse and beat each other up on television?

But what is really interesting about reality television is that it not only gives a second lease of life to has-beens,it also lets regular people have their moment in the spotlight. How else can we explain the continuous flow of participants on shows such as Big Switch,Raaz Picchle Janam Ka and Rakhi ka Insaaf.

Viewer safety: If you travel on a Mumbai local,youll have already heard most of the abuses used on reality shows.

Nothing shocking there,but if these things offend you and you fear for your childrens souls,then we suggest you put your TV on child-lock,because foul language and behaviour is the lubricant that oils the gears of reality shows.

Culture Vultures: The multiple television Swayamvars are a nod to the Great Indian Obsession weddings. But equally in our culture is inquisitiveness and its no wonder that we love reality shows.

That this spirit animates even the most hardened TV cynic is obvious when we consider that the biggest question facing the country this year was not Who is Dolly Bindra?,but rather,What will Dolly do next?