ARTICLE
Why don’t you like
Bigg Boss?
The show is much more than just a controversy
We are currently midway through the ninth season of
Bigg Boss, which has cemented its place as the most
controversial reality show in India. The show, which is a
rip-off of UK's Big Brother, brings together a few popular
names and challenges them to coexist under one roof
for 90 days. The contestants are all cut off from the rest
of the world. No newspapers, no television - They are
forbidden from using any form of media or communication. In fact, there isn't even a calendar or a watch at the
housemates' disposal. Eight seasons after its inception,
the show has managed to garner a rather negative reputation. The portrayal of the show is embedded in most
minds as being nothing more than petty arguments and
attention-seeking contestants - everything that a 'sophisticated' individual would stay away from in terms of
television programming. For some, this is that facet of
television entertainment that is just too candid to stand.
There are others who may feel that they are too elite to
watch this form of entertainment. If you are among those
who stay away from being hooked on to Bigg Boss; here
are a few facts that might get you to rethink. Have a look:
1. This is probably one of the rare entertainment-themed
shows on Indian television that truly represents India.
Actors, non-actors, politicians, doctors, lawyers, activists, social workers, home-makers, businessmen, fashion designers, models, hair stylists and journalists are
just a few of the contestants who have made an appearance in the Bigg Boss house over the years. It isn't everyday that you see such a random mix of people being
made to deal with each other on Indian television.
2. If you think Bigg Boss is scripted; it simply can not
be. How many times can someone fake emotions in one
day? The contestants who are living under one roof know
that they are surrounded by the cameras all the time.
Though only one hour of the day's events is telecast,
Bigg Boss runs live on its channel's website 24x7. While
it is extremely difficult to fake emotions, or to even fake
an entire personality for that long a time period, it is not
humanly possible to continue faking for the three-month
period that the contestants spend inside the house.
3. What do you think is more harmful for the society glorifying black magic, the saas-bahu drama, violent
cartoons? Or a show which might serve to hold the mirror up to all of us as a society. Do you sometimes feel
out of place? Do you sometimes carry around two faces
- one for you, and one for the rest the world? Do you
raise your voice against injustice? Do you relish your
accomplishments? If you've agreed with most of the
above, then you're just as human as the contestants in
Bigg Boss. At times, the show serves as an exaggerated
form of reality and forces you to ask yourself what you
would do in that exact situation. Bigg Boss truly is a peek
into human psyche.
4. The tasks that the housemates are made to perform
in the house are the ones that challenge a person both
physically and mentally. The contestants who have gone
inside the house and lived there even for a week have
confessed that they have seen a different life inside. The
tasks often serve to make them emotionally stronger.
How many TV actresses can set an international record
with their performances? Well, in season 7 of the show,
actress Kamya Punjabi did just that. She sat in a small
wooden box for around 48 hours and broke the international record of surviving in a box for around 42 hours.
Not only did she win the task, but she now has a world
record to her name.
5. Bigg Boss has changed the fortunes of many. The
show has changed the way audiences used to perceive
some of the contestants. The show does not allow its
participants to fake personalities, but instead seeks to
bring out their true colours. Otherwise, who knew that
RJ Pritam was a fabulous comedian, [