From Krishidarshan to Maa EXchange, Indian TV has taken a big leap. Next, Patni Exchange?
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From Krishidarshan to Maa Exchange, Indian Television has taken a big leap. What next? Will it be Patni Exchange?
In the history of four decades, Indian Television has traversed long distance; it has taken a big leap from Krishidarshan to Reality shows. Space in between the two extremes was occupied by unending saga of family dramas.Starting with Buniyad and Humlog, then tearjerkers like Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Balika Vadhu jelled well with middle class housewives.
Then came era of reality shows with recipe for new age entertainment, glitzy talent shows mostly singing and dancing turned dreams of thousands of young aspirants from small towns into reality. Instant fame became mantra of reality shows. Participation of children in reality shows made them child- adults even before their teen age. Dare devil shows like Khatro ke Khiladi appealed to new age youth. Many of the reality shows are adaptations of popular English shows. For Indian masses these have been thoroughly indianised. Kon Banega Krorpati was one such mega show anchored by mega star Amitab Bachan. Success of reality shows led to their sequels as season 2,3 and so on. So fierce is competition in this segment that every channel churns out two to three reality shows. Reality shows with masala and adult content like Big Boss, Emotional Atyachar and Rakhi ka Insaf also have dedicated audience.
Reality shows became sleazier with Rakhi ka Swyamvar. Swyamvar show was shot keeping the ancient tradition in mind like swyamvars of Sita, Damyanti and Drupadi . The suitors had to face stiff competition to win the hand of the bride. Rahul ka Swyamvar changed the situation where lovely young damsels were in competition to woo him. Success of television swyamvars has prompted another swyamvar this season- swyamvar of Ratan Rajput alias ‘lalia’.
From Swyamvar to Maa Exchange, the reality TV has taken another step forward. Maa Exchange show allows you a peek into the house and personal life of the participants. Two mothers swap their houses for a week, but both of them are uncomfortable. They set their rules and try to impose them on the members of the house they have adopted for a week. Arguments ensue, but both families stick to their guns. What is moral of the show? Everybody lives life in his/her own way.
Like all other reality shows Maa Exchange will also become a passé show , more innovative and bold themes will be required to maintain good TRP for reality shows. May be then we can see adaptation of English reality show 'Wife Swap' in its indianised version as Patni Exchange on Indian Television for voyeuristic pleasure of the Indian audience.
