When reality show contestants leave the show abruptly, how much of it is pre-planned? We glean some insights from former contestants
Cricketer Irfan Pathan, who was roped in as wild card entry on the dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa this season, left the show mid-way to keep up with his cricket commitments. Following his exit, there were loud whispers in industry circles about the move being pre-planned. Previously, television actor Shakti Arora, who was participating in Nach Baliye with his partner Neha Saxena, quit the show halfway citing a family emergency. However, it was rumoured that Shakti, who plays the lead in a show on a rival channel, was pressurised by them to quit the dance reality show. Earlier, in 2012, Navjot Singh Sidhu had walked out of the Bigg Boss house to campaign for his political party. The format of these reality shows on paper is such that a contestant cannot walk out as they please. The shows are based on the commitment of their participants, but looking at the recent instances, the participants don't seem all that bound to their contracts. So how much of what the audiences see is pre-planned and how much is a result of genuine circumstances?
We tried to contact the channel representatives for Colors and Star Plus but received no response. On speaking with some former contestants of reality shows, we got a mixed reaction. Television actor Hiten Tejwani, who participated in Nach Baliye (Season 2) along with wife Gauri Pradhan believes contract reigns supreme in such cases. He says that given the clauses put forth by such shows, it is rather difficult to walk out after one has signed on the dotted line. "I don't know if it's possible for contestants to opt out. If you think about it, why would a contestant put in so much of effort for a stint if he/she were going to be in for just two-three episodes?" Speaking of Irfan Pathan's walk out, Hiten adds, "I think the production houses and the channel must have very well thought it through to come up with this decision. Irfan's reason seems genuine. " Hiten adds that during his stint on Nach Baliye, contestants had a chance to opt out only in case of an injury on the sets of the show. He states, "When I was a part of Nach Baliye, the only time a contestant could walk out was when there was an injury that made them unfit to take part in the show anymore. I think as you get into the competition; the desire to compete takes over. I don't think anyone wants to lose as you progress into the successive rounds."
Some also feel that no matter the star power, it is only a show's content that can influence viewers to tune in. Therefore, celebrity participation is never a sure-shot ticket to success. Reporters actor Shivangi Verma who was seen with shaking a leg with partner and master chef Ripudaman Handa on Nach Baliye 6, says, "Celebrities don't boost the TRP as much as the creative team and content of the show does. The contract doesn't allow one to walk out of the show, but it is possible that some sometimes the production house and the channel involved takes such decisions because there was a genuine reason."
When the ultimate goal of a reality show is to entertain audiences with various "unexpected" twists and turns, Sambhavna Seth feels that such moves can very well be pre-planned. Sambhavna, who has previously been a part of Bigg Boss Season 2 and Bigg Boss 8 (as a wild card entry), says, "It could or could not be pre-planned; we will never know. Most reality shows that claim to be real never live up to their name. It is highly possible that a contestant was called in because he was immensely popular, and therefore managed to improve the TRP ratings for a few episodes. A development like this means more buzz for the show, and the contestant too. It is a win-win situation for both."
Rakhi Sawant, who was a part of both Bigg Boss and Nach Baliye, says the reality shows tend to bring in a variety of contestants from all kinds of backgrounds to make their content interesting. In the case of Irfan on Jhalak Dikhhlaa Jaa, she feels that the format of the dance reality show works against the Irfan, who is a cricketer " the show is easier for those who come from a dance background. Rakhi says, "I would like to believe that dancing wasn't Irfan's cup of tea, so he decided to quit. His skills are best presented on the cricket pitch, and he should stick to that."
Debate Mansion
