Sach Ka Saamna

A new reality show is on telly these days ... Sach Ka Saamna (Facing the truth) on Start TV. It is a franchise of hit (and controversial) American show named The Moment of Truth. Not long ago ... Star World used to air it ... and I use to watch it religiously. The show asked some really uncomfortable questions and I as a viewer was totally engrossed in knowing whether the contestant was telling the truth or not. Some of the questions were so personal that it was uncomfortable to even watch ... I don’t know how the contestants must had felt. But ... the lure of money makes us human ... well human beings. I won’t say that the show was entertaining ... but it was intriguing for sure. The show was definitely not for immature viewers ... and I remember that I used to shoo away my cousins whenever this show was on telly. I even asked my mum not to watch it. Once my cousin told me that what if this show comes on some Indian channel ... in Hindi ... and I laughed at her. I told her that Indian channels are not bold enough to have a show like this ... and I did not believe that Indian audiences are mature enough to watch it. Look who is laughing now ...

Anyways ... couple of weeks back I caught the promos of this new Hindi reality show ... and I was shocked to see that the moment of truth is indeed happening on Indian television. I was surprised to say the least ... but then I thought they can’t ask uncomfortable questions. They don’t have the “balls”. I thought lemme bask in the glory and I thought I would have to opportunity to say “I told you so”. So I sat down and watched it with my family ... and boy it was really uncomfortable. I could not believe my ears ... the questions were tough as nails. So far, I have caught of episodes and most uncomfortable questions were more or less dealt with sexual relationships and infidelity. I am sure that the show will ask few innovative questions as well ... like they do it in the original version ... but judging by the start of the series ... I must say that I am happy to be wrong. Finally, Indian channels are taking some risks ... and that’s a good thing for Indian viewers. Its sad though that almost everything that you see on telly is a copy or franchise of some western show ... but it’s a start and I am sure that Indian channels will come up with ground breaking shows in near future.

Thingy called PRIVACY

Just got back after watching Big Boss .... the program made me wonder .... why we have such voyeuristic instincts ? Programs like Big Boss and The Moment of Truth are too personal to be considered entertainment. Yesterday while watching TMoT, I was taken aback by the personal nature of the questions ... and worse - the contestant (a girl !!) was giving answers like she is the crusader of truth .... she broke hearts of the closest people in her life .... and for what ??? Money ... I just cannot imagine a person answering questions like who among her lovers is the "stud" .... do you know the worse part of this facade .... she lost .... what did she gained from the program ... NOTHING .... she made her parents and boyfriend angry as hell ... and she didn't won the money ... yeah life can be such a bitch !!!

We all are fascinated by sites like youtube, where you can find innumerable personal video clips. Some of them are as popular as movies. The most popular stuff on telly these days are "reality" shows like Survivor. Why are we so intrigued by personal lives of everyone ? Most governments in the world keep tabs on commoners .... even celebrities are hounded by paparazzi like mad dogs .... most businesses have scary amount of personal details .... no one can truly say that his personal life is his own .... where ever you go ... whatever you do ... someone is keeping a tab on you ....

This gross violation of private/personal life bothers me. What happened to that thingy called PRIVACY??? I guess we live in a different world today .... and I don't see anything changing soon.... it may get worse in future