A rival to bigg boss?

The reality show Bigg Boss hosted by Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan has always been in the news ever since its inception. 15 celebrity contestants were selected to co-habitate in a specially built house and are isolated from the rest of the world for 100 days — this is the concept of the show.

In the present scenario, where farmers are facing several issues and paddy fields being turned into housing colonies, now comes another reality show titled ‘Namma Vivasaayam’ with the tagline ‘Idhu nayagan aadum aattam alla,  unavu kodukka uzhavan aadum aattam,’ on the same lines of BB!

But the similarity ends with the participation of a certain number of contestants who would live in a particular place for 65 days.

The show is a brainchild of director Anbarasan, a Film Institute student, son of a farmer who has done a documentary on the farmers’ lifestyle. “NV is more productive. In a sense, the aim of the programme is to bring to the fore the importance of agriculture, and the participants would be directly involved in farming and cultivating paddy,” Anbarasan tells DC.

For this purpose, the makers — RK of Namma Movies banner has chosen a five- acre land near Walajabad. “Namma Vivasaayam will house 18 inmates divided into three groups of six. Each group will have two farmers.”

There will be six celebrities and six regular people from multiple professions — be it teachers, journalists, doctors, etc. Six inmates would stay in each of the custom-made kudils  where cots made of coir or thread (kayittru kattil), bedsheets and fans are provided. Cooking utensils will be given to them, where they have to cook with naturally available ingredients/products provided by us. And even the menu will comprise of organic items. Instead of toothpaste, neem sticks will be offered to brush their teeth!” shares Anbarasan.

If anyone falls sick, there is a grandma well-versed in natural medicines and homemade remedies (paati vaidhyam), who is available for  them 24/7, he adds.
Talking about the concept, he says, “Each team of six will be given half acre land. Initially, we would plough and keep the land ready for the inmates to start their work. They have to sow the seeds, water it, apply natural fertilisers and wait till it turns paddy. Whoever stays till the end will be the winner! After a considerable research, we have chosen a brand of rice, which will grow in 65 days and be ready for reaping.”

Though Anbarasan says that many like Samuthirkani and Gowthaman who raised their voice for social causes agreed to support him in this endeavour, he is yet to finalise the celebs list.

Sources say that actress Devayani and actor Shankar who did few films including Ambasamudhram Ambani and a few TV actors have been approached for the show. Only time will tell if another Oviya could emerge from this?