YOU are lounging on your couch, sipping hot koffee, watching a glamorous reality show. Karan Johar and a bunch of celebrities—seven women, three from Delhi and four from Mumbai—are discussing, well, everything that the rich generally talk about, at a high-end Mumbai restaurant. There is fun and banter and a lot of leg pulling. The mood (predictably) changes, and there is (scripted) tension in the air. And then something happens that makes you keep your koffee aside. The conversation suddenly feels real, genuine. It feels very you.
“I’m on medication every morning and I have an SOS medication every evening. The idea of going to a party, a social event or a crowd scares the daylights out of me. I throw up in the mornings when I think about it. My knees shake. And yet, I have to go outside, face cameras and smile,” says Johar.
It was rather startling to see one of the most popular directors of Bollywood—known for his penchant for talking directly into the camera—share pearls of wisdom on how to cope with mental health issues in the third season of Fabulous Lives of (Vs) Bollywood Wives. This tailored vulnerability seems to be the running theme in the entire season—which has Bollywood wives of Mumbai and fabulous lives from Delhi reveal aspects of their personal lives.
Reality television has had a solid run in the entertainment scene for nearly two decades now. Ranging from music, dance and talent shows, to cooking, quizzes and adventure sports—the audience has now seen it all. Regional industries, too, have replicated these shows across the country and tasted popularity. Though shows like Bournvita Quiz Contest or Antakshari had started off quite early, reality TV really caught on only with the launch of Indian Idol in 2004 and Bigg Boss in 2006. Both the shows were based on popular reality TV formats from the UK and the US. Fabulous Lives, too, takes inspiration from the popular US-based reality show, Keeping Up With the Kardashians.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Nomadland
All eyes are on President-elect Donald Trump and his policy on immigration
Far from Home
We have forgotten the plight of Afghans who fled to India, and continue to suffer
Bang Bang That Awful Sound
What happens when we listen closely to the soundscape of war?
Refugee Dilemma
For most Indian-origin Sri Lankan Tamils, who are victims of ethnic conflict and civil war, proving that they are not illegal migrants is a nearly impossible task
They Poured Fire on Us
The resilience of refugee women from Sudan, Ethiopia and Yemen in the face of war and displacement is remarkable
The Sound and the Fury
Iraqi poet, novelist, translator and scholar Sinan Antoon was born and raised in Baghdad.
The Day I Became a Woman
In a country where authorities have been directly engaging in the gruesome war against women for decades, artists like Nahid Hassanzadeh stand apart as a voice of dissent–a haunting reminder of the unwavering spirit of the rebellious Iranian women fighting against the Islamic Republic’s violent crackdown.
The Kite Runner
The official figure of civilian deaths in Afghanistan is a serious underestimate. It is unlikely that we will ever know the real cost of Afghan lives
American Patriot
Barring a few exceptions, Hollywood movies continue to be gung-ho about the United States' penchant for waging wars across the globe
The Hunters
How can Bangladesh's fractured society, burdened by layers of trauma, begin to heal?
