Vote Garnering tactics in Reality Shows - Is this acceptable?

This week, even though we got to see some outstanding performances, yet there is a feeling of dissatisfaction in most viewers seeing the vote garnering tactics, especially in the two children’s shows. Even in the grown ups shows, something was amiss. Whether it was the lackadaisical approach of some judges or over-enthusiasm by a host or off track performance by some singers, something surely fell short of expectation.

For VOI Chhote Ustaad show, Friday is turning quite uninteresting as far as music is concerned except to know the fact as to who got eliminated. This Saturda,y once again the participants did extremely well with Anvesha giving a flawless and outstanding performance. “Bheege honth tere” its almost becoming Kunal’s signature line as “Chirodini” is of Bappi Lahiri’s. The show is somehow now propagating Jayant’s medical case to arouse public sympathy. It’s a very sensitive private matter and there was absolutely no need for showcasing the prognosis and treatment procedure on the show. Dr. Kavita seemed more like promoting her Hospital on the show. In the acid test it is claimed that the 4 bottom participants are given just 10 minutes each to practice on a song and perform which seems very unbelievable. Even for professional singers, 10 minutes practice on a song is usually not enough to see them through.

If it’s Jayant’s medical case on VOI, then its Amir’s poverty issue that SRGMP is using for the same purpose of gaining public sympathy. Also how fair was it on other contestants showing such an AV just for Amir where his fans were shown pleading for votes? It was nice on part of Sonu to deplore the AV on the show itself in a dignified manner and indirectly giving out a clear message to the production house to stop such practice. Friday the show saw Rohit, one of the best contestants of the show falling to public voting fallacy and getting eliminated. Saturday the theme was Parents-Kids relationship where the kids dedicated a song to their parents and it saw an episode which was too emotional not just for the viewers but also the parents. The parents in turn sang few lines for their wards too. Aditya seemed quite uncomfortable with the glasses he was wearing and at times it even affected his flow as host.

Mission Ustaad this week had another good theme - A child’s happiness. The jodis presented their thoughts on it in many different ways and the judges gave their own interpretation of it. It was nice to get to hear views on the topic from someone experienced as Javed Akhtar. Where on one hand clash of opinion between Kailash Kher and Javed Saab is becoming too frequent, Rehman is yet to keep his promise of commenting on all after all the performances get over. Somehow his body language gives an impression that he is bored. In a show that is all about positive approach to social upliftment, he as a judge is expected to show some enthusiasm.


In K for Kishore the theme was Kishore - Dil Se and the songs chosen were all good but that was not so, as far as performances went. It is quite evident from the performances that the contestants lack practice. This week also saw the female fans of Kishore staging protest for being kept out from paying tribute to Kishore Kumar. One of their representatives even came on stage to voice her opinion. While the judges did not want to change the format, they allowed her to sing and ironically she was the best performer of the evening barring Arnab Chakrabarti who was the only contestant giving a brilliant performance!! Do we see some troubled times in the hosting part in the future rounds?? Who knows, we may. Well, Rajeshwari seems to have forgotten that she has a co-host now and ended into intercepting every line of Babul and making sure to cut him short.

One thing is evident – it’s time now for the production houses to pull up their socks and try focusing on only the musical strengths of all participants creatively, to sell just their talents and keep every kind of life story out of it. The hosts should realize they are there to anchor the show, not drown it. If the talented participants are giving their best shots to create an impression, others should try not to mar it. It is time to rise above mediocrity and personal vanity to give these shows what it needs most - dignity!

Author: Barnali

Note: The views expressed are solely of the author. For any information, please contact the author.