End of Saga. Junta goes gaga!

Usually, we (the people) are encompassed by mild sadness, when TV shows ends. This phenomenon is also observed when; we near the ending of a book (mainly fictional) or end of a journey or even a sporting season. Ends, in general, also evoke nostalgia as one recollects the past. The latest edition of Olympics got concluded in a glossy ceremony in Bird’s Nest National stadium at Beijing. I wished, it to continue for some more time. Satisfying human greed and wants is not possible. Dissatisfaction with ones procession is one trait, which virtually drove humans to what he is today. However, the logic of dissatisfaction can’t be extended here, as making athletes work for longer duration would corporeally emasculate them. It’s neither intended nor desirable.

Now, let us look at few not-so-good things. In this relatively big world, there are programs that make us glued to our television sets, and also there exist programs which provoke you to hurl that tiny electronic gadget in your gentle hand which controls your television, at it. These shows make you pray, “God, when shall this end?” Here, I would like to introduce to our subject of post; ‘Splitsvilla.’ Yes! You got it right. ‘Vodafone MTV Splitsvilla’ is name of the show. Of late, a trend has emerged in electronic media that entitles main sponsor of any show to get its brand name prefixed to the real title of show. There is ‘Amul- Star Voice of India,’ ‘Lux- Junoon kuch kar dikhane ka’ and 10 such other shows. This trend is not our issue, but I mentioned it here as concluding with a trend wouldn’t be a desirable trend in itself. Let’s comeback to subject of our interest. Splitsvilla, which got aired for 15 plus weeks on MTV, can be summed up as IGNOBLE. But, here, let me oblige myself with some castigation and an objective critical analysis of the subject. Also a single word description for a 15 week show would be gross simplification.

Well, let’s learn the concept first. Over years, I’ve seen scores of shows across genres. But Splitsvilla was different. Or should I say, ‘Made to look different.’ There’s a villa called Splitsvilla, where 20 girls live together (lesbians can have great time there). And, at some distance, two guys. These guys happen to be ex-participants of popular MTV show Roadies. Roadies is a hit show. Brain child of producer called Raghu Ram at MTV India. Whatever, the show initially attracted many viewers including many people at OG. Many members loved to hate it. I strongly believe Raghu needs counseling. This guy shaves his head often to give him a Stone Cold kind of look. However, he fails. Miserably. May be, his kids make a better use of his head and make picture perfect landings of their toy planes. In a desperate wannabe attempt, he shot a video, where presumably-hot chicks fight over to get their men. He also got done a music video with car wash to pool seduction. It’s a classic case of ‘Promo passed but the product failed.’

The show began on morally corrupt note. Female participants introduced themselves, all of whom claimed to be teenagers. Heck! Most of them did make that claim. Whatever. The point I’m trying to make is, they did not fit into definition of what they clamed to be. They knew, no one will ask them a date-of-birth certificate. And, is it difficult to produce one? The incumbent UPA government makes tall claims and promises. Ground reality remains indifferent. Splitsvilla contestants seem to take inspiration from UPA. It ain’t bad through.

Each day, the anchor would come down to villa, somewhere round the morning. Wake the contestants up. The anchor (Ran Vijay) too is an ex-roadie. Yet another ..?? Something here makes me feel, Roadies is sort of a HR process cum so-called reality show. They spot talent (god knows of what kind) and also make money by airing the show. They can take Indian audience for granted. Let MTV show crap thy, shall watch it. So, the anchor would wake them up and have “Bajate Raho Session.” Please don’t ask me what Bajate Raho means. It’s some kind of interdisciplinary competition among the contestants. Losers go on a date with the guys. Winner gets to talk to one of the guy, on phone. No points for guessing the phone was a Vodafone. Ha ha ha…... You have the liberty to laugh while reading. The show went on smoothly. I presume so, because there were no extra efforts made on part of producers. Which only happens when TRP’s plunge. One of my friend informed that, Raghu was on show, he changes few rules. Morally corrupt, again. Darn! You don’t change rules in the middle. It’s like cricketers playing soccer after an innings coz it suits the new rules better. On a different note, there are rumors that Raghu has been approached by internationally acclaimed Apollo circus. They want to display him. A feasible business model, I say. It went on. I stopped watching from the very 3^rd episode out of boredom, hence can’t provide you the subtle insights. Pardon me.

The reason why a product/entity becomes boring is 1) Its abundance 2) Its bore by nature. Splitsvilla was both. They would air it 3lac 573 times a week. You tune-in in the morning and it’s on your screens. You tune-in in the night, its there. Watching “Ram Gopal Varma’s AAG” is worthier. The irony of the situation is, people would still watch, no matter what come their way. I could bet my bottom dollar on it. Now I understand why those social scientists talk about unemployment.

I did not bother to watch the finale, like previous episodes. But I’m happy that it’s over. Alas. However, if this post evoked some amount of interest in you regarding Splitsvilla, do Google for results. History repeats is self. Some wise man said this. I’m in toto with him. Historically, television shows have thrown unexpected and undeserving winners. Take for example, Indian Idol, Abhijeet Sawant won. Had he deserved, he would have been topping charts across. He isn’t. Similar things happened with other shows. The only shows that give true and deserving winners are quiz shows. So, I get a sense of déjà vu, again an undeserving person shall win. I don’t who won. Raghu has for some time been destroying the brand name and brand image created by Cyrus. Fully missing “Fully Faltoo” and “Bakra.” Ok! After throwing book at Raghu and MTV, let me also say this show ain’t worth your salt. I’m not betting on wrong horse. I’m Gung Ho it ended. I’m Gung Ho it ended. Yaay…!!! End of Saga. Junta goes Gaga!

‘Reality of Reality’ next.

Adios!