Reel life & Real life: Two sides of same coin?
BY BRINDA KHANDWALA | Friday, February 03, 2006 9:30:8 IST
With TV becomes an integral part of our lives, do audiences tend to get too too involved with the characters?
By far, TV has become the pivot of urbane life. When it comes to entertainment, it takes care of a huge chunk. From family dramas and sitcoms to reality shows, it has become the window to the world. But what happens when the line between reel life and real life blurs? This is what's happening particularly in the case of TV serial stars and show hosts. As much as the audience is interested in knowing about 'what happens next on the show', the personal lives of these stars also evinces keen interest.
Just like on talent hunt shows, where people become stars on reel, TV stars too are viewed as 'real people'. The audience curiously pries into their personal lives, families, friends, lovers, careers, preferences... How did this transition take place?
Since when did Tulsi Virani become Smriti Irani, Jassi become Mona Singh, Prerna Basu/ Bajaj become Shweta Tiwari and Dr Simran become Niki Aneja?
When the TV stars get caught at Page 3 parties, gossip and controversies or when they play themselves on talk shows, interviews or as celebrity guests on other programs. Of course, then there are the award nights when they are sitting with their colleagues and families. And the media, in general, makes news out of every move a TV star makes.
From their break-ups, make-ups and marriages to even something as basic as buying vegetables! This media-generated curiosity of the audience has converted even the one-serial-wonder actors into stars. Are people really interested in knowing so much about their favourite TV stars? Let's take a look at what people have to say...
Pranay Bakshi, Student
No. Maybe women are more interested in knowing about the personal lives of TV stars. They are the ones who watch all the serials. I guess people get attached to the characters; that they crave for more news about actors who play their favourite characters.
Meeta Zaveri, Housewife
To a certain extent, I like knowing about the stars - like what other work they are doing and if they are doing movies too. What they wear and where they shop. But that's about it. I'm not interested in knowing who is dating whom and which parties were they are caught getting cosy at!
Suhani Choksi, Interior Designer
I liked watching the real life couples on Nach Baliye. It made a very entertaining show. We see TV stars share a great chemistry, not only with their partners but also among other stars as friends. But after all, it was a show. I wouldn't read through pages full of TV gossip on their personal lives.
Sheetal Talreja, Bank Executive
Yes, I like knowing more about these stars. Just like I would read about Abhishek Bachchan, I'd read about Varun Badola.
Mohit Verma, Businessman
Sometimes the TV gossip goes too far. I like to know about their careers, style statements and other public activities. But getting involved in their personal lives is too much.
Veer Hanuman
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