The vibrant realm of Indian television has seen reality shows carve a grand niche, enchanting viewers through a blend of globally adapted and ingenious local formats. Shows like 'Bigg Boss,' a Hindi-language take on 'Big Brother,' 'Indian Idol' inspired by 'Pop Idol,' 'Khatron Ke Khiladi,' an Indian twist on 'Fear Factor,' and versions of 'India’s Got Talent,' 'Shark Tank,' and 'MasterChef' have captured the nation's interest with their dynamic presentation. Industry pioneers are vocal about the lasting allure of these formats, expressing optimism about Indian concepts making a global impact.
Sameer Nair, managing director of Applause Entertainment and a television innovator, recalls revamping the scene by introducing 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' (KBC) to Indian screens in 2000, with Amitabh Bachchan at the helm. This marked the beginning of celebrity-driven unscripted television becoming pivotal in India. He credits the fusion of original concepts with an Indian 'tadka' or spice for resonating deeply with audiences, citing examples such as Bachchan’s profound presentation in 'KBC' and Salman Khan’s distinctive charisma in 'Bigg Boss,' which glue Indian elements to these international formats, crafting a magical appeal.
Nikhil Madhok of Prime Video India underscores the transformative influence of streaming on unscripted formats, inviting viewers to explore extensively. He speaks of Prime Video’s drive to enrich its catalog with true crime and reality series, tailored for Indian tastes, reflecting diverse customer preferences, enabling innovation in the realm. Similarly, Aradhana Bhola from Fremantle India attributes the popularity of reality formats to their emotional essence that resonates, from witnessing extraordinary talent to inspiring underdog victories that spark hope among viewers, ensuring the genre's sustained appeal.
Mrinalini Jain of Banijay Asia focuses on culturally adapting international formats to cater to Indian audiences' unique needs, maintaining core drama elements while weaving in Indian nuances, demonstrated successfully by 'Bigg Boss.' She highlights how competition formats like 'Bigg Boss' and 'Khatron Ke Khiladi' thrive due to their high drama and survival themes, appealing across rural and urban divides. Danish Khan from SonyLIV talks about reality shows capturing national aspirations and anxieties. Shows like 'Shark Tank' and 'Million Dollar Listing' mirror societal landscapes, aligning with aspirations, addressing barriers in entrepreneurship, and celebrating first-generation entrepreneurship to resonate broadly.
Alok Jain, at Viacom18’s JioCinema, praises reality TV’s balance of relatability and unpredictability, amplifying viewer engagement through interactive features. Innovations such as 24-hour live feeds and immersive experiences helped 'Bigg Boss OTT' on JioCinema attract a younger audience. Industry experts foresee Indian formats gaining international traction. Nair encourages the creation of universal, scalable formats. Fremantle India's Bhola sees Indian storytelling soon making waves globally. Banijay Asia’s Jain and Viacom18’s Jain foresee Indian concepts resonating internationally like global formats in India.
With rising interest in Indian culture, native shows could connect with global audiences. Madhok concludes that storytelling should captivate audiences across formats, ensuring a compelling connection with real subjects to engage viewers episodically, just like scripted narratives.
