Reality television has captivated audiences worldwide with its promise of unscripted, real-life drama. Among the most popular shows in this genre is Bigg Boss, the Indian adaptation of the Dutch series Big Brother. Pioneered in Hindi in 2006, the show quickly gained a dedicated following and was adapted into various regional languages, including Malayalam in 2018 with Mohanlal as the host. As the sixth season of the Malayalam Bigg Boss draws to a close, it is worth examining the allure and controversies surrounding this “reality” phenomenon.
What is Bigg Boss?
Bigg Boss follows a group of contestants, known as housemates, who live together in a specially constructed house, isolated from the outside world and under constant surveillance. The show’s format revolves around weekly nominations and evictions, with viewers participating by voting for their favourite contestants. This interactive element, combined with the voyeuristic peek into the housemates’ unfiltered emotions and interactions, creates a sense of intimacy and intrigue for viewers.
| This constant surveillance of man and his actions was first introduced in 1998 by Peter Weir in The Truman Show starring Jim Carrey. The protagonist Truman unknowingly ends up living his entire life on an elaborately staged television set. His life is controlled and even manipulated in terms of his daily routine which is then broadcasted to a global audience. The film surrounds the theme of free will and exploitation of someone’s life for the sake of entertainment. |
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Why do we watch Bigg Boss?
Shows like Bigg Boss appeal to us for several reasons. Firstly, the format of the show offers a voyeuristic peek into the lives of the contestants, who are placed in a confined space and subjected to constant surveillance. This creates a sense of intimacy and intrigue as viewers get to witness the contestants’ unfiltered emotions and interactions.
Our interest in violating the privacy of the participants and being involved in the drama is the key to this reality show. Viewing it from the comfort of our homes, we love being a part of it without the effort of physical involvement. Moreover, the element of competition adds an extra layer of excitement to the show. Contestants vie for survival each week by strategically nominating each other for eviction, while viewers at home participate by voting for their favourite contestants. This interactive aspect of the show allows viewers to feel a sense of involvement in the outcome which gives us a sense of power.
Bigg Boss appeals to viewers due to its blend of drama, entertainment, competition, and human psychology. It offers a unique and immersive viewing experience that taps into our fascination with human behaviour and relationships, making it a compelling and enduring fixture of reality television. The casting involves people from various walks of life. Celebrities have to survive with commoners with no sense of distinction between them which results in conflict and drama.
The show also taps into our inner vices which draw pleasure from the suffering and discomfort of others. Apart from the conflict, some people fall in love and display physical affection along with cliched romantic relationships, love triangles and so on. Cringiness, chaos and conflict aptly summarize the show.
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Does Bigg Boss hold up a mirror to society?
The main premise of Bigg Boss revolves around the contestants competing against each other to survive in the house and avoid eviction. Each week, there are nominations for evictions, wild card entries and the reprimanding of unruly contestants. To bring this about, the people are forced to create alliances, friendships and romantic relationships. They serve as grounds for manipulation or simply protecting one’s own space in the house.
Bigg Boss serves as a mirror to society in several ways. Firstly, the diverse mix of contestants reflects the varied backgrounds, personalities, and perspectives present in society. The show showcases the complexities of human interactions and relationships, offering insights into societal norms, values, and behaviours. Additionally, the conflicts, alliances, and power struggles that unfold within the house often mirror larger societal dynamics. Viewers witness how contestants navigate issues such as trust, competition, communication, and conflict resolution, which are prevalent in everyday life. Providing a platform for discussing and reflecting on broader social issues such as prejudice, discrimination, gender roles, and cultural differences.
The manifestation of human emotions between participants like anger, jealousy, adultery, friendships and hatred are similar to what one feels in their daily life. The competitive spirit amongst the housemates extends even to the audience who begin to prefer one contestant over the other and dislike other participants for no particular reason. We begin to identify with them as a part of our extended family whose actions are scrutinized and criticised by the audience.
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Does Bigg Boss portray ‘reality’?
Despite being under surveillance 24/7, only 1 hour is presented to the audience. During this time frame, the contestants try to attract the most attention upon themselves by purposefully engaging in fights, shouting or even stating offensive comments. This will increase the entertainment value which will keep them from getting evicted.
This raises a few questions, is Bigg Boss a reality show if it is scripted in a way to only entertain the audience? Is reality based only on chaos and conflict?
In terms of us as an audience, we play the digital version of a nosy neighbour, taking an interest in the lives of the contestants and believing that we are qualified enough to make judgements. Furthermore, we are ready to sacrifice the mental health of participants for entertainment value. Apart from intruding into their private space, they are presented like lab rats, under continuous surveillance and the viewers act as scientists observing them. Since these contestants do not have access to the internet or the outside world, they are only able to see the excessive hate and trolling once they are evicted. This takes a toll on their mental health and stays with them long after the show is over.
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Bigg Boss promises a glimpse into “reality” because it advertises unscripted and natural behaviour. But is, in fact, intricately scripted to attract an audience and edited to focus on the most dramatic events. Nevertheless, the show’s enduring popularity and ability to spark conversations about societal norms and human behaviour highlight its cultural significance. As viewers continue to tune in, it is essential to maintain a critical perspective and recognize the fine line between entertainment and exploitation.
