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A. L. Chougule
TV stars are everready to be a part of reality shows that have taxing schedules. Is it the excitement of doing something different or the lure of quick mega bucks that lure them to the show? Screen finds out
n these days of daily soaps and hectic work schedules, television actors are said to be the most overworked and stressed out people. Their day starts at 9 am and ends at 10 in the night. They often complain of not having any time for themselves and many of them are short on sleep for weeks and months. If such is the case then what makes television actors do reality shows like Nach Baliye, Jhalak Dikhla Jaa and Jjhoom India? There is no denying that reality TV offers good money or rather better money than fiction. A busy actor like Ronit Roy who is doing two Balaji shows and which keep him occupied throughout the month admits that there is good money in reality shows. Varun Badola who is currently doing Jjhoom India also doesn't deny that there is good money in reality TV but says money is not the sole criteria for doing reality TV. "Today every actor is having enough work and making good money from fiction. It's the excitement of trying out something different one has not done before that makes television actors opt for reality shows," he says, adding further, "I didn't have a knack for dance when I took part in the first season of Nach Baliye but I did fairly well before I messed up things. But singing is something I am comfortable with though I am not a trained singer. However, I won't deny that money plays an important role in reality shows." Jay Bhanushali candidly admits that he agreed to do Jhalak because of money. "I won't deny that the first thing that attracted me to the show was money. But when I started doing rehearsals, I forgot about money and started enjoying the dance. Money is the major attraction but once you are into the show what makes you work harder is the fear of elimination. Your image and credibility is at stake and you don't want to disappoint your fans," explains Jay. Sachin Tyagi doesn't disagree with Jay. "You don't do a reality show just for a lark. You do it because you feel passionate about it, be it singing or dancing. You are constantly being judged by the jury and viewers and the fear of elimination always haunts you. I don't think money can compensate if you cut a sorry figure for yourself," he reasons. Sony's executive vice president and creative head Sanjay Upadhyay is of the view that the wholesome package that reality TV offers makes reality shows attractive. "Extra money is always welcome. But apart from money, it's the opportunity to get out of the routine and regular work that makes reality TV interesting and exciting. The opportunity and challenge to bring out the hidden talent is equally exciting. Also, in some cases reality TV gives a sudden boost to one's career," he feels. Sanjay has a point. The best example of career resurgence is Rakhi Sawant who post-Bigg Boss has walked into a different league and is a bigger star today. Ravi Kissen who was only known as a Bhojpuri film hero and was only a regional phenomenon is also a bigger celebrity after Bigg Boss. Post-Nach Baliye Hussain's image and career has zoomed into a different territory. For others like Mona Singh, Shveta Salve, Manav Gohil, Rajev Paul and Shweta Kwaatra, reality TV has opened new career and money earning option through stage shows in India and abroad. But at the end of the day it's the money which makes the world go round. Thus the key question: how good is the money in reality TV? Is it more than fiction? "It is better than fiction," says Jay adding, "But fiction remains with you throughout the year and reality TV gets done in three months. In the long run fiction pays more but reality TV pays more in a short period." Adds Varun, "Nobody will do reality TV if it doesn't offer good money, but how good it is let it be a secret." According to Sanjay, while the prize money is a big enticing factor, all participants are paid a weekly compensation for the work they put in which differs from person to person and event to event. "I wouldn't deny that the participants get good money. But being on the creative side and weak in financial matters I wouldn't know who is paid what," says Sanjay. |
But people who are well-versed in the nitty-gritty of reality TV are of the view that it is primarily money that makes television actors dance and sing in reality shows. Episodic or weekly compensation is worked out on the status or brand image of the participants. TV celebrities like Ronit Roy, Shekhar Suman, Aamir Ali and Sanjeeda Sheikh obviously enjoy a premium over others. Our sources say that at the lower side, the episodic or weekly pay packet is about Rs. 2 lakhs and the higher limit is around
Rs. 4 lakhs. Taking Rs. 3 lakhs as an average per week, the first celebrity that gets voted out of the show walks away with Rs. 12 to 15 lakhs since the participants start working on the show at least three to four weeks in advance before the first episode comes on air. If the show lasts for 13 weeks, the winner not only walks away with the prize money but also earns anywhere between Rs. 48 to 51 lakhs in weekly compensation. Who says money is not the major driving force behind doing reality TV? http://www.screenindia.com/fullstory.php?content_id=17911
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