Raining stars in realty shows: what makes it tick?

Ordinary citizens could never have dreamt even in their dreams that they would get a chance to dance with a Salman Khan, a Hrithik Roshan or a Shah Rukh Khan were it not for the multitude of realty shows which are hitting the television screen with a certain ferocity. Such has been its impact that even a Shatrughan Sinha has now decided to throw his hat in the ring with LAUGHTER CHALLENGE-IV. The quotient of proximity and the chance to share the screen space with the stars of the dreams is what makes the viewers spend thousands punching the numbers to get the line through as also souring their fingers by bombarding the web sites with series of messages.

A viewer can never get a chance to even see Salman Khan or a Hrithik or a Shah Rukh what to talk about dancing and chatting with them. As a result nearly all the television channels in India are in the business of realty shows with a vengeance. The sheer fact that participation in these programmes is evenly spread out all along the countryside is indicative about the fact that these shows have emerged as the harbinger of social change. The participatory nature of these shows has facilitated in diffusing the fossilized social stratifications present in the society in the country. The participation on all India bases has also brought into relief the mofussil parts of the country, into the limelight, though the spotlight may be for the period till the participant is participating in the show. However, that moment is the moment of glory for that region, as also the participant from the region.

While the participation of the celebrity stars as the anchor in the shows is built up as its USP it also works in other way around as well. These stars are able to interact with their fans from even the far-off corners of the country, an opportunity provided to them by these realty shows, which they otherwise would not bother and they are being paid for it as well. May more such shows bloom on the television.