The watch has begun...

A decade ago, Tamil TV stood synonymous to rubbery soap operas with just one subject to talk about — the Tamil family. Though there have been attempts from K. Balachander and Balu Mahendra to do something novel, no show could steal the thunder from the tear-jerking dramas about families and their never-ending issues.

Fast forward to 2017. Soaps are still alive and kicking, but the present is not their golden era. Now, the craze is all for reality TV, the latest addition being Bigg Boss Tamil, which has taken everyone by storm. Be it a rant or laurel, people can’t stop talking about the show. With it, the age of voyeurism has also taken birth in TN!

Hosted by Kamal Haasan, the show houses contestants like ‘jallikattu’ Juliana — which has instigated everything from protests to moral policing and ushering in reality television onto screens in TN. We look at the ramifications, social implications and how the TV experience has changed for Tamil audiences.

More toxic than voyeurism:
These kind of show undoubtedly brings out the ‘peeping tom’ in every audience watching, and enough of ink has already flown about its effects — but Manushya puthiran, the poet-writer, says it has more ill effects on the psyche of mass beyond voyeurism. “We are being continuously monitored by several agents, including our own state. From the transactions to the lifestyle of a person, everything can be kept under a watch. This surveillance of the corporates and the government should be fiercely resisted by cit zens, but instead, these reality shows turns the concept of surveillance into entertainment.”

He adds, “When you start watching what is happening in other’s bedroom, you involuntarily start accepting the watch that is upon you. I see this as the deep psychological effect of such shows.”

Say hi to ‘Hate -watching’:
One of the major talking points of social media currently is Juliana, who was in the limelight during the jallikattu protests. Even the  those who supported her during the protests have turned hostile towards the youngest contestant. From moral policing to character assassination, Julie has now turned victim of all. Everyone loves to hate her, but can anyone ignore her? This is the perfect example of hate watching, and it is new to Tamil TV.

Former contestant speaks out

Bollywood unearthed plenty of newcomers from such reality shows. Actor Ayushmann Khurrana, one such talent, was identified from MTV Roadies. So, Kollywood could watch out for some, too. Who knows? Given the popularity or notoriety that Julie has garnered, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see her anchoring a show in future or landing a plum role in a film. Talking about if these shows can be perceived as platforms for artistes, Anuya, one of the Bigg Boss contestants, who was recently eliminated from the show, says, “I think it should help actors as a platform. In my case, I am still figuring it out but I hope it will. For actors, in the future, it will, since the show is huge and it is going to keep airing for many seasons.”

When we probe about her experience inside the house, she says, “Experience-wise I would say it was a new feel, and that’s the reason I took part in the show. I had a lot of fun; even if you put me back, I will be glad to have some more fun.”
When asked who she is rooting for currently, she reveals, “My vote is for Ganesh. I think he is level headed and the most sorted out person in the house.”
Surprisingly, Anuya tells us she didn’t face any issues with the contestants, “I didn’t find anybody hard to get along with. I know myself and I also knew I can get along with anyone.”

A source close to the Bigg Boss team says though the reviews are mixed, the viewership for the show is only increasing every day! “The exact TRP ratings will be out only by this weekend, but we have been receiving tremendous response from the audience. And you know, the reviews are mixed! Though people are bashing the contestants on social media, they are still  watching the show,” they reveal.

A paradigm shift on television
However, the show has relentless supporters who argue that  this is going to change the television watching experience entirely.

Actor Nithin Sathya, who was part of a parody video of Bigg Boss along with the likes of Venkat Prabhu, says, “It’s a fantastic show, which is more powerful than cricket! It is a mind-game like cricket, where you need to have the endurance to win.”

He also says that the whole scenario of TV is changing and  points at Kamal Haasan to take cue. “When Kamal himself gets into TV, it is a signal that it is going to be the next big thing. Now, the actors who take him as inspiration should
and will follow  suit,” Nithin sums up.