Sach Ka Saamna: Reality TV makes television hotter than Bollywood

Samajwadi Party MP Kamal Akhtar is under the mistaken belief that reality TV promotes obscenity and family values. The typical beeped cuss words reality shows are something that is not totally new, we have all heard it sometime or the other. There is no Indian who has not heard colorful language. So the question of bad words used is totally uncalled for; it is a part of our culture too. Is. Akhtar unaware about bawdy, boisterous, 'naughty' songs sung in full public in north Indian weddings? That is also a part of our culture. Let’s face it; we are talking reality television, so you cannot have the participants being la-di-dah and using poetic language. That does not happen in reality, does it?

Moral policing is not required. If at all, you feel some content is objectionable, switch off the television; it is as simple as that. Do not care about how it will affect other people; they are smart enough to mind their own business. The youth is finally returning to television. Believe it or not, the youth bade bye to television long ago from the time Nukkad, Buniyaad and Hum Log went off the air. These were shows of real people that connected with everyone. With the deluge of saas-bahu serials, the youth went back to movies which had something to look forward too. Thankfully, for the first time in 20 years, television has made movies look regressive.

It is not the question of vulgarity; it is the question of quality content in your programs. Saas-bahu serials were plain stupid, with women wearing expensive sarees to bed, having their second husband resurrected thanks to dropping TRPs and melodrama that would put many to bed early. Okay, we credit them with the last bit; they did promote a good habit.

Smita Mathai a contestant in Sach Ka Saamna,whose reference is taken up by Kamal Akhtar, when citing about denigrating family values through reality shows; has herself said that her family had been fully aware of her emotions and have supported her. Since she said nothing wrong has happened between her husband and her, why are we so concerned? We are concerned because as a nation we are voyeuristic. Reality has always turned India on. Movies like Satya, A Wednesday, Shoot out at Lokhandwala and Mumbai Meri Jaan have clicked because we identify with reality.

Reality television has given people so much fame and recognition that many secretly vie for. People like Sambhavana Seth, Raja Chaudhary, Marc Robinson, Ishq Bector become so much popular after Big Boss and Iss Jungle se Mujhe Bachao. Guys like Nauman Sait, Ashutosh Kaushik and Alina Wadiwala are now household names. People like Ranvijay and Palak have come from nowhere and are now doing movies. Reality shows have made people carve their own niche and become popular. Rakhi ka Swayamvar, the show which everyone has something to comment, on has more than 5000 fans on Facebook.

It is sad that politicians target reality shows when a fact is that someone from their clan, a politician like Sanjay Nirupam received so much popularity, support and love after he appeared in Big Boss. Not many know that the concept of reality show was started by the sacred daddy of all channels, Doordarshan, when it would telecast live parliament proceeding 15 years ago in the morning from 8:30 to 9 every morning. That one had MPs behaving in the most uncouth manner, swearing and insulting mercilessly.

Balika Vadhu is the number one serial on Indian television.

Balikha Vadhu is the number one TV serial. It has thrown out ‘Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki’ out of competition. Soon “Kyunki Saans bhi Bahu thi’ will be defeated by Balika Vadhu. The 11 year old Avika Gor is surprisingly the hottest star on Indian television. The superb serial on child marriage, Balika Vadhu has really won a lot of rave reviews.
Check out the interview with the child star, Avika Gor in Mumbai Mirror:
How has Balika Vadhu changed your life?
More and more people now want to talk to me. You are calling too, aren’t you?

• How are your friends and teachers in school responding to Balika Vadhu?
They feel sad when they see me crying in the serial, so all they tell me is to stop crying. But that's Anandi the character crying. Not Avika.

• You have become an overnight star with Balika Vadhu.
Have I? But it isn’t my first serial. Earlier, I have done serials like Rajkumar Arryan, Chalti Ka Naam Gaddi and Karam Apna Apna.

• But none of those made you a household name…
Haan, I agree. Thank you.

• How can anyone so small be so talented?
Is mein kaun si badi baat hai? My father, the writer of Balika Vadhu and my director Siddharth Sengupta teach me to do the right thing in front of the camera.

• You talk like a 40-year-old.
But I am just 11. And, it feels great to be called a star at this age.

• Who are your favourite actors?
I like Shah Rukh Khan, Shahid Kapur, Hrithik Roshan, Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and Deepika Padukone.

• What do people call you - by your name Avika or the name of the girl in the serial, Anandi?
Neither. They call me Nak-chadi chuhiya and Bindani; that’s bride in Rajasthani.

• How many hours do you shoot for Balika Vadhu? Do you get to do fun things?
Sab kuch karti hoon main. Yes, I do miss school sometimes. But I bring my school books on the sets and study between shots. I go to school in the mornings and then shoot for 7-8 hours.

• So is Balika Vadhu like school?
No it’s fun. Acting is my hobby.

• So what do you want to be when you grow up?
Miss Universe.

• In the meanwhile?
Tab tak padhaai karungi, films karungi, sab kuch …

• What about the brat who plays your husband?
What about him? He’s nice. We don’t fight at all. We study and play together.

• But doesn’t he pull your hair?
That’s Anandi’s hair he’s pulling, not Avika’s.

• Do you watch television?
Yes, whenever I get time. I love watching Balika Vadhu and everything on Cartoon Network.

• Do you watch Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi?
Sometimes. I like it. Every serial has something different to offer.

• Do you know that the TRPs of Balika Vadhu has outdone that of Kyunki Saas…?
Really? That’s good to hear. But aisa nahin hain ke people don’t watch those serials any more.

• But they do watch Balika Vadhu more?
Acha hai na? (giggles)