Yet another controversy on a reality show comes in the limelight! The dancing couple, Maanav Gohil-Shweta Kawatra, from the second innings of the show, Nach Baliye, has been embroiled in a controversy, which states that the couple distributed SIM cards among friends and family to garner more votes for themselves, thereby increasing their chances of winning at the show.
The couple has already won rave reviews from the judges on the show, Saroj Khan, Kunal Kohli and Malaika Arora-Khan, for their superb performances in the last few episodes. However, as most of these reality shows give out the ultimate judging power to the audiences, through voting by means of SMS, website and landline toll-free numbers, little can be said about the authenticity of these methods.
Technological advancement has definitely proved to be a boon for India. But on the hind side, it has also brought in some vices. It is perhaps, human tendency to misuse the power accorded to him. SMS, is a means to facilitate quick communication. But today, what it has actually come to represent is the falsification of impartial, valid judgment. The easy accessibility and unquestionable reach of these technologies, raises serious doubts about their authenticity. How can anyone, then, validate or justify the results arising from such erratic, forged and incorrect polling patterns? Don’t we realize that as audiences then, we too are being taken for a ride?
On the contrary, such controversies on the shows, at times, seem unreal. Sometimes they even seem contrived. We can’t help but wonder, if the issue they uphold is actually genuine. The more the poignancy of the controversy, the more public interest is generated in the show. What does this mean? It clearly translates into HIGHER TRPs! In all probability, the couple may not have actually indulged in such foul play. But, the logic is simple. Such controversies catch viewer attention, tingling his curiosity and as a result, drawing the audience towards it.
Take, for example, the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa controversy, where it was said that Debojit won because the show organizers had received threats from Naxalites, that they should make him (a contestant from Assam), the winner. What finally happened? He did win the competition. Everything went smooth after that. After the initial momentum that the episode gathered, it is now passé. The organizers too are clever to realize that public memory is indeed short-lived. As time passes, all the brouhaha about the controversy will slowly die down and something else will come up to catch audience attention. They play on this fact to boost their show’s TRPs…and well, they mostly seem to succeed at it…effortlessly!
Just goes on to show how gullible we as an audience are. Is this what entertainment today, promises us? Is it fair to play with audience sentiments and their loyalty towards entertainment? Or is it just another ill-effect of commercialization, creeping into our society?
May be, we just need to stop a while… and think!
