Immediate viewer connect, celebrity glamor quotient, high TRPs and a smooth consistent inflow of the moolah have all made reality shows a fruitful proposition for TV channels. But with every second program inclined towards reality, there seems to be a certain risk of monotony creeping in, overdose and the proverbial fall.
It was one of those routine days in the millennium year which entirely changed the sensitivity of people. Roads wore a deserted look, kids were more than happy to learn, housewives completed their chores well in advance lest they lost out on an opportunity, executives rushed home faster and families were addicted to it and found themselves glued to the TV sets. Such was the aura, opulence and glamor around it that routines transformed into euphoria creating a stir with one of the most historical reality shows on Indian television that clinched a never before rating of 14.13, the highest ever by any reality show second only to the hugely popular mythological epics Ramayan and Mahabharat on Doordarshan.
The point of discussion here is Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), a reality quiz show that resurrected Star Plus, the Channel catapulting it straight away to the top slot never to look back. An adaptation of the American show who wants to be a millionaire? The unique trait of KBC was undoubtedly the charismatic presence of the biggest and the most revered star on Indian Celluloid, Amitabh Bachchan on the hot seat whose magic not only connected to the audience bringing in eyeballs but also poured in loads of cash for the channel in the form of advertisements and innovative sponsorship tie-ups.
The phenomenal success of KBC laid the foundation for several other mega stars to venture into the otherwise neglected small screen. The scenario today is such that reality shows are a rage with the Indian viewers who seem to be enjoying a voyage into an assumingly real journey sometimes laced with opportunities and at others coated with thrills in the midst of contrived situations. |
