The only No-Fail Recipe for a Superhit Reality Show ever!

Your definitive guide to making a quick Indian Reality Show!

Published: Sunday,Feb 05, 2017 18:31 PM GMT-07:00

Tanzim Pardiwalla

With reality TV cooking up a storm, we decided it's time to decode the ultimate recipe to cook up a dramatic Indian Reality show! So we set out in search for ingredients to bake ourselves a little slice of the so-called reality shows.

Here's our recipe for a delightfully delicious Reality Show-

1 Large cup or a bucket full of tears (Actually the more the merrier!)

The water works are a sure shot way to trigger the audience emotionally or have them rolling their eyes on the crocodile act. A sensitive scene or two, a heart breaking back story to pull in sympathy votes or a shattering display to bring in pity votes aren't uncommon either. We've seen tears on every show from Bigg Boss to Dance Reality. From contestants leaving Karan Kundra and Anusha Dandekar in tears to inmates prompting Gauhar Khan into an ugly cry, there have been all kinds of welled-up eyes. And voila!! Soaring TRPs!!

1 Judge who is a specialist but not exactly

There may be a science behind selecting judges for reality talent shows but it most definitely is a failed formula. Peg an engineer-turned-writer as a dance show judge and you'll see exactly why people like Chetan Bhagat fit nowhere in the equation. Also, can we ever forget Archana Puran Singh's annoying laughter as she judged a comedy show? Or Anu Malik's coarse voice on Indian Idol?

1 poster child for controversy

Literally, every reality show will have that one character shrouded in controversy. You can spot them from afar brewing a noisy mix, calling for the audience's attention. They make for a notorious presence and the amount of nuisance they create is equivalent to the TRP the show pulls in. From Rakhi Sawant to Om Swami, we have been served a bit of an overdose of this ingredient.

A heavy icing of Occasional Clashes

Rivalries are so common, we are beginning to think these guys could go to war over a teaspoon. Put a few hot-headed people together in a task and you'll see how they'll bring the roof down. However, the repercussions are collateral damage to the drama we all enjoy! Roadies being one of the best examples, the trail went up to Shantanu and Salman in Jhalak Dikhlaa Jaa season 9.

A sprinkle (or 2 cups) of plea for vote and support

https://twitter.com/RannvijaySingha/status/823714069328883712/photo/1

With social media and popularity playing a huge role in getting reality stars through their shows, we aren't surprised with the number of vote appeals flying about around the end of reality shows. Jhalak comes to mind easily with its contestants rallying for votes to the win. We have had several instances of celebs standing up in support of their friends and co-actors and calling for votes and the biggest show of support was Rannvijay tweeting a heartfelt post for Bani J. It is an important influencer of popularity and so this recipe would be incomplete without it.

And Finally, 2 teaspoons of Talent (Optional)

While a lot of over layers are responsible for talent taking a backseat, we have seen some of the most marvelous performances, display of skills and raw potential on reality television. It's the talent that ultimately strings the show along and stays on till the end. And, our reality shows wouldn't be the same without it! Reality Shows are now taking a turn and going back to why talent based shows really began. With Rising Star and long-running shows like Bournvita Super Quiz and Super Dancer, we are sure real talent will continue to put the real in reality TV.

So this is our no-fail recipe for a perfect Reality Show. Serve while it's hot with a side of originality (for once). Any bakers (read:takers)?