SAD STORIES IN REALITY SHOWS

Melodrama or mellow on drama?

In the beginning, reality TV may have been unacted actuality. But, after it gained popularity and made producers rich because it was comparatively less expensive to whip up, absolute reality slowly gave way to a more “managed” and “shaped” variety. A variety which is unfortunately far from reality. However, true as it might there are shows that despite being scripted offer some amount of originality because the people are real and so are there stories. So maybe instead of trying to find what is wrong with the shows, one must analyze what is right with them.

In shows like Kaun Banega Crorepati people might be selected on the basis of their stories but they win and lose on their own merit. Is it so wrong that the only people they take are actually needy and poor who have more need for the money than most? That they have a sob story? Maybe their intention isn’t humanitarian but that of business, but still due to this a section of people is benefit in ways much more than anyone can imagine. For example Taj Mohammed Rangrez from Kanore, Rajasthan, won 1 crore rupees in season 6, he used the prize money in treatment of his partially blind daughter followed by paying the money for the marriage two orphan girls of his own village changing not only the life of himself and his family but also others.

Kaun Banega Crorepati brought happiness in lives of many Indian citizens with utilization of prize money in getting their dreams come true and fulfilling their necessities. The program successfully hooked the people and enhances their knowledge capsule. The show is prime examples that even a scripted show that only takes people with sad stories can cause a major change in lives of people.

Another reality TV show that changed lives despite the fact that even its building blocks were based on script and sob stories is Satyamev Jayate. From opening statement by host Amir Khan- Hindustan badal raha hai, ek laher si chal rahi hai, to brave but sad survival stories Satyamev Jayate is a unique reality TV show because it provides a blend of statistical analysis, critique of legal tangles, survival and fight back stories, audience responses, pioneering efforts by people who became the agents of change, action plan to curb the menace combined with soothing musical extravaganza. It highlights the root problems in our society. It also gives solutions on how to improve our society, how to behave more like people and less like animal. The people brought in the show are only those who have a real tear jerking sad stories. This show brought changes in lives of many people individually as well as a whole.

For example in the words of Arpan Mishra “I watched Satyamev Jayate Season 3 Episode 6 When Masculinity Harms Men and it It changed my perspective forever especially about controlling my rage. Some time ago I met with an accident where the mistake was of the other person but instead I was the injured one. I received a deep cut in my leg which got me three stitches and was unable to walk for a month. A huge crowd gathered and was ready to beat the man but I resisted and told everyone to keep quiet. The man took me to the hospital, paid my bills, offered apologies and pays me visit regularly. He is a nice man and we are good friends now.”

So not all things are as they appear on the surface. One must live life with optimism and the ideology that the glass is half filled up not half empty.