WHAT MAKES DATING SHOWS LIKE MTV SPLITSVILLA WORK IN INDIA

Dating and drama go hand in hand, in real life too. With dating itself evolving with swipes and algorithms, there are reality shows based on that concept that have hooked the audience. From MTV's Splitsvilla to the more recent 'Temptation Island', they continue to captivate the viewers. What is it about these scripted reality shows that keep us glued to the screens? 

In recent years, the Hindi entertainment industry has witnessed a drastic shift in the realm of reality TV, particularly in the domain of dating shows. Among the tonne of shows that it has birthed over the years, one name stands out prominently: MTV Splitsvilla. With its unique blend of drama and romance, Splitsvilla has emerged as a trailblazer, redefining the landscape of reality TV dating. 

It made its debut in 2008 and has since grown exponentially in popularity. The idea was a spin-off by producers Raghu Ram and Rajiv Laxman from MTV Roadies.

From love triangles to explosive confrontations, Splitsvilla thrives on capturing the raw emotions and conflicts that arise amid the quest for love. With each episode, viewers are drawn deeper into a rollercoaster of emotions, eagerly anticipating the next twist in the contestants' journey.

The credit of the show's legacy and its success, to some extent, also lies in its charming hosts -- Rannvijay Singha (Season 1 and 8-13), Nikhil Chinappa (Season 2-7), Arjun Bijlani (Season 14), and Sunny Leone (Season 8-present).

That Splitsvilla has been a roaring success is evident from the fact that it has returned for the 15th season. The 15th edition of the show premiered on March 30.

"There is no other show like Splitsvilla in the country. There's something on the show that we get to see that is nowhere else -- it's like soft porn," Vikas Gupta, producer of Splitsvilla, tells IndiaToday.in.   

WHAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE CRAZE OF SUCH SHOWS IN INDIA? 

Raghu Ram, producer and actor, renowned for introducing dating shows to India, elaborated on the inspiration behind bringing Splitsvilla to the Indian audience. He spoke to IndiaToday.In about the appeal of dating shows and their impact on viewers. 

"When the show arrived, it was highly controversial and clickbait. It was just buzzworthy and something that was unheard of or something that wasn't thought of. Splitsvilla is homegrown. It is made for Indians," Raghu Ram tells IndiaToday.In.

"We talked about things that people in India were talking about. Things that were bubbling under the surface and ready to explode. And we brought that up. We made a show that had been happening, but just not in popular culture. Dating and the language used then was a strong subculture, but then it became mainstream with Splistvilla," he says.

Sunny Leone, Bollywood actor and host of Splitsvilla, explains what she feels is the necessary ingredient of a dating show.

"I think that the part that is authentic in such dating reality shows is always the contestants themselves. The people who are on the show, their feelings are authentic and their situations that they're in, that's authentic. They might apply things from their outside world and their experiences or what they might know about Indian television," Sunny Leone tells IndiaToday.In.

Anmol Chaudhary, a former Splitsvilla contestant, tells us why youngsters crave to be on such dating reality shows.

"In early 2009-2010, we didn't have dating platforms like Tinder and Bumble, so these shows were like a dream. You get to actually experience love and then, to be on this fantasy island, it was the actual fantasy," says Chaudhary. 

"At that time, it was everyone's dream to be on shows like MTV Splitsvilla. Because it's like a different reality cut off from the world. You don't have your phone, you don't have parents, and you are not answerable to anyone. It's literally like being transported into a different world. So those people (contestants) become your world. It's a very weird experience because there's complete freedom," Anmol tells IndiaToday.in.  

Splitsvilla gave way to many other dating reality shows on TV and OTT. One such show was Love School, which featured real-life couples facing challenges in their relationships and trying to mend them with engaging tips and fun tasks. 

Karan Kundrra, who has hosted three seasons of Love School and one season of Temptation Island, spoke to IANS about people finding love in reality TV shows. He said, "A show like this (Temptation Island) helps couples to explore the intricacies of relationships. Love and Lust are all part of human behaviour, and such shows helps them test it to get a better understanding of their own emotions and preferences."

IT'S ALL ABOUT VOYEURISTIC PLEASURE

Voyeurism propels a huge demand for reality TV shows. Without it, what could actually be the viewers' motivation to watch such content?

Actor Tanuj Virwani, who is also hosting the current season of Splitsvilla, says the show works because it has something that caters to everyone, "from the elite to a rickshaw puller". "So, I just feel that it's probably the only reason why such shows work", he tells IndiaToday.in. 

Sneha Sharma, consultant psychiatrist, said, "I think everybody enjoys that (voyeurism). This is the reason why when people are fighting, we try to get into it. Or if our neighbours are fighting, rather than trying to prevent it from happening, people are more interested in understanding what the fight is about. That is human behaviour at its core." 

On being asked the same question, Splitsvilla participant Anmol says, "Everybody wants drama. Because we want to see something which is dramatic and is a good pastime. There are people every night just browsing through Netflix. You're always looking for something interesting. Because that's what people want. When you wind up your day, you want drama and reality shows are a perfect dose of nothing but pure drama." 

THE UNCERTAINTY AND PREDICTABILITY GO HAND-IN-HAND

Reality TV dating shows offer a unique form of escapism. In a world filled with uncertainty, viewers are drawn to the predictability and drama of these shows. They provide a safe space where we can live vicariously through the contestants, experiencing the highs and lows of romance without the risk of being cheated on, ghosted or 'seen-zoned'. 

According to psychiatrist Sneha Sharma, reality TV shows provide a blend of predictability and uncertainty which makes people glued to their screen.

"When you look at an adult who has gone beyond a certain age, there is a certain sort of maturity that comes in. So, they know that half of this might be scripted, and the other half is just to get viewership. But, for a young individual, I think that sort of understanding doesn't exist. And the shows which offer most of that is what keeps the viewers in it", she explains. 

"When you go back to college/school or a place of maximum social interaction, you realise that everybody is talking about this thing and to gain that sort of peer relationship, you will end up watching it," says Sneha Sharma, explaining the role of peer pressure in getting people to watch such reality shows.

Splitsvilla producer Vikas Gupta says, "You have to keep on adding new elements to keep the unpredictability of the show. Unless they are unpredictable situations, you will never get reality in a reality show." 

REALITY TV DATING SHOWS AS SHORTCUT TO FAME? 

Why do contestants really participate in these reality dating shows?

"Initially, people participated in such shows with the intention of actually finding love. Now, people look at it as a shortcut to fame," says Anmol Chaudhary, the Splitsvilla participant. 

She tells how featuring in such shows can instantly get you a million followers on social media. "Now, you don't even have to go to Mumbai", she adds.  

It is also interesting to note how fame is directly proportional to superficiality in reference to content production. After all, the greater number of followers you have, the more conscious you are of your image.

Sharing his thoughts on dating shows promoting superficiality, Tanuj Virwani says, "It is an extremely tricky balance, because at any point in time, there are 30 cameras on you. It's just in a matter of months that hundreds and thousands of people are going to be watching you." 

"Being authentic or organic is the most difficult thing to do. It makes you feel very vulnerable and gives a sense of being emotionally stripped and naked. Acting is actually way easier," he says.

Sunny Leone says how she keeps advising Splitsvilla participants to be themselves. 

"The thing that I keep telling them [participants] on the show on and off camera is 'be yourselves' – If you're angry, be angry, if you're in love, be in love, if you are happy be happy and enjoy those moments. And that whatever you're feeling is nothing but real'. I believe they should be freely able to express everything. That's what makes them interesting to watch," she says.

As we look to the future, dating shows are poised to continue their reign.  With the rise of streaming platforms and the demand for diverse content, we can expect even more innovative and boundary-pushing shows.

2024-04-20T05:34:12Z dg43tfdfdgfd