Reality Shows: Just how real are they, anyway? - Page 2

luck and hard work plays a major role.

There are a couple of problems with a reality show singer/winner becoming huge playback singer:-

There are a lot of excuses we can come up with as to why people discovered from reality shows didn't make it big. However, at the end of the day, the truth really is that aside from a handful of excellent contestants (from all reality shows), nobody was really that great. And definitely not great enough for MDs to stop using singers like Sonu Nigam, KK, Shaan, Mohit Chauhan, etc.

Having said that, despite all the nonsense reality shows portray, singers like Shreya Ghoshal, Sunidhi Chauhan, and Kunal G amongst many others were discovered through these shows. But you really have to be that good.

I heard someone mention Vineet Singh recently has a song that came out. Toshi and Sharib Sabri created a place for themselves in the industry. Raja Hasan has become a famous name in the industry.

Granted MDs come to reality shows and make false promises, but I think that some burden also lies on these contestants. But I will say that some of the singers we've heard in reality shows TRULY deserve to be recognized and I really hope from the bottom of my heart that they will.

Originally posted by: brahmabul

BTW Debojit recorded Behti Hawa Sa Tha Woh!!

Oh wow. Although I cannot imagine how he could have possibly sang it better than Shaan. And that's what it comes down to at the end of the day!

The problem I see in the music industry is not the lack of talent or the excess of competition. The problem is the lack of independent music labels and production companies. There are very few but large record labels that control the music industry in India. It is very hierarchical and limiting. Very few can break through and get a chance, and rely heavily on such reality shows.

If we had more independent labels that produced up and coming artistes, served niche audiences - we would not have as many struggling singers. Even though USA is much less than India in population - the number of independent record labels and artistes is mind boggling. Many artistes dont even bother with the mainstream circuit and go straight for the niche and underground.

Even though India has a musical culture, I think in some aspects we lack a music culture. I live in a small town and we constantly have musical bands playing at restaurants, concerts at the square, opera in the park - a lot of free/small scale musical entertainment that is jam packed. In India these options are not as diverse.

Also despite the cycberculture in India - we have not had garage bands, myspace/facebook bands emerge as much and capture small scale audiences.

The bottom line is if Ill Mitch sells shows. Anyone can do it. We need to just open our musical horizons beyond reality shows and mainstream conventions.

Was I on topic, I'm not sure. I'm not positive about my point either - but I'm sure I might find it someday.

Originally posted by: ni4ni

I'm going to let you people on a little secret.

Indian reality shows are not about finding raw untapped talent. They are
developed to provide a platform for existing Actors/Actresses and Musicians
to keep their face in the public eye and to advertise their movies and/or music.
And, for the channels to make money on advertising and SMS's.

The success or failure of contestants are the last thing on the minds of the
producers.

If you don't believe me, than compare the total television time for the contestants and
the total television time for non-contestants, including the judges, hosts, and guests.

Some contestants, after the shows are over, are thrown a bone here and there. If
they are not, than these shows may not get many people auditioning.

For the first time you made some sense.