Ban Reality TV shows in India?

There is a strong show of concern by I&Mthey did promote a good habit.
Broadcasting ministry in India that reality shows inSmita Mathai a contestant in Sach Ka Saamna,
India be banned or heavily censored because itwhen citing about denigrating family values
promotes obscenity and family values. The typicalthrough reality shows; has herself said that her
beeped cuss words that we hear in reality showsfamily had been fully aware of her emotions and
are something that we all have grown up with.have supported her. Since she said nothing wrong
There is no Indian who has not heard colorfulhas happened between her husband and her, why
language. So the question of bad words used isare we so concerned? We are concerned
totally uncalled for; it is a part of our culture too.because as a nation we are voyeuristic. Reality
Has Mr. Akhtar not heard about bawdy,has always turned India on. Movies like Satya, A
boisterous songs sung in full public in north IndianWednesday, Shoot out at Lokhandwala and
weddings? That is also a part of our culture. Let'sMumbai Meri Jaan have clicked because we
face it; we are talking reality television, so youidentify with reality.
cannot have the participants being la-di-dah andReality television has given people so much fame
using poetic language. That does not happen inand recognition that many secretly vie for. People
reality, does it?like Sambhavana Seth, Raja Chaudhary, Marc
Moral policing is not required. If at all, you feelRobinson, Ishq Bector become so much popular
some content is objectionable, switch off theafter Big Boss and Iss Jungle se Mujhe Bachao.
television; it is as simple as that. Do not careGuys like Nauman Sait, Ashutosh Kaushik and
about how it will affect other people; they areAlina Wadiwala are now household names. People
smart enough to mind their own business. Thelike Ranvijay and Palak have come from nowhere
youth is finally returning to television. Believe it orand are now doing movies. Reality shows have
not, the youth bade bye to television long agomade people carve their own niche and become
from the time Nukkad, Buniyaad and Hum Logpopular. Rakhi ka Swayamvar, the show which
went off the air. These were shows of realeveryone has something to comment, on has
people that connected with everyone. With themore than 5000 fans on Facebook.
deluge of saas-bahu serials, the youth went backIt is sad that politicians target reality shows when
to movies which had something to look forwarda fact is that someone from their clan, a politician
too. Thankfully, for the first time in 20 years,like Sanjay Nirupam received so much popularity,
television has made movies look regressive.support and love after he appeared in Big Boss.
It is not the question of vulgarity; it is theNot many know that the concept of reality show
question of quality content in your programs.was started by the sacred daddy of all channels,
Saas-bahu serials were plain stupid, with womenDoordarshan, when it would telecast live
wearing expensive sarees to bed, having theirparliament proceeding 15 years ago in the morning
second husband resurrected thanks to droppingfrom 8:30 to 9 every morning. That one had MPs
TRPs and melodrama that would put many tobehaving in the most uncouth manner, swearing
bed early. Okay, we credit them with the last bit;and insulting mercilessly.