Reality made commoner a star

The small screen seems to be playing a huge role, dictating trends in the entertainment industry, and reality shows have emerged as gamechangers for channels fighting for supremacy and TRPs! Starting with the quick show in 1992, Antakshari, it was followed by popular ones like Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Kaun Banega Crorepati, Boogie Woogie, Bigg Boss and scores of other reality shows from dance to singing to adventures, and so many more which ruled the small screen. Most of them have been duplicated in regional TVs like Kannada Kotyadhipathi, Super Minute and Bigg Boss etc.

All these reality shows had one common feature the common man, who was entertained and got completely involved with the drama onscreen, giving them new hopes and aspirations every passing day. Be it winning crores of rupees or becoming overnight stars, their endless dreams continued. Then numerous channels got on the wagon to make reality shows the big daddy of the small screen and the common man rejoiced.

“The word reality cannot be considered literally as in most reality shows these days, much of the drama shown is either manipulated or scripted to meet commercial interests and garner TRPs. There are very few shows that really constitute a true reality show. In the beginning, when it all started with Derek O’Brien anchoring the quiz, it was so refreshing and informative with not only participants who enjoyed being a part of it but also the audience who loved watching. This is the reason why KBC is the most watched even today. However, at present, the majority mostly seems like dramatic, scripted and manipulative,” says Subramanya, a TV analyst.

Getting the common man as a part of the show might have been a great idea, and he feels they are the main force behind such programmes  and a few involve a certain group of participants like Bigg Boss, which has always led in this trend of introducing commoners as participants in its latest season. Even in Kananda’s Bigg Boss, which is set to go on air from October 15 on Colors Super, anchored by Kiccha Sudeep, the common man will make his debut.

“I love reality shows for the sole reason that it involves us (commoners). For any real talented ‘common’ individual who does not come with recommendations to succeed on platforms like TV and film, this is great as otherwise it is an impossible task. A range of reality shows provide us such wonderful platforms. In fact, there are a greater number of talents emerging thanks to such shows. However, the selection process and other issues are sometimes questionable. But as long as they exist, it serves the right purpose,” says Shalini, a software engineer and avid reality show watcher.

Irrespective of the show formats and TRP fights, it is the commoner who is the winner at the end.