Failed American show, not suitable for Indians.

Yes, we’re talking about ‘Sacch Ka Saamna’ (face the truth), a failed American concept popularly known as The Moment of Truth. At first, the show seems like a good idea. Yea, sure. Why not? We can handle it. Can we?

Now, just hold that thought. First, for those who have no clue, see what the show is all about here.

From day one, I’ve been following up with the Indian version – Saach Ka Saamna – and noticed a particular trend.

Here’s what I caught my nerve:

1. The entire show is based on the “polygraph machine,” a device that anticipates your bodily symptoms to distinguish between True and False. How accurate is the machine? Well, we don’t know. How do we know the producers are not fooling us or the contestants? Well, we don’t know that either.

Its not 100%. See here.

2. This means the entire show is based on such a willowy platform. Hence, the whole idea of ‘Sacch’ (Truth) is really far fetched.

3. From the many contestants that walked on stage and spurted out their personal and intimate secrets with the world, it seems they’ve shown no responsibility towards the Indian – mentality – people. Apart from the metros, the audience is still largely folks trying to maintain our heritage and culture.

Indians are not Americans. And Americans are not Indians.

By that I mean, its OK for people to kiss – display affection in public – in America, whereas in India we’re still far behind. Bollywood doesn’t count.

I’m sure there are many Indians out there who’ll find the show to be completely normal, straightforward and entertaining.

But, if we take in the bigger picture, what examples are we setting for the next generation?

4. This brings me to an important query, that being of, to what extent should television go, in the name of entertainment? Are TRPs the only thing that make sense?

And finally, by the above argument, I’m not pointing fingers at any individual, but merely trying to poke at the sheer audacity of a show that is based on a willowy “polygraph machine.”

A machine can’t understand emotions. And that’s why its a machine in the first place.

As readers, what is your take on the show and its authenticity? And is money the only thing that matters?

Tags: , ,

This entry was posted on Friday, August 21st, 2009 at 12:37 am and is filed under Opinion. You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.

  • @Kanishka I am completely disguted by all those K serials, including all the other drama that comes on TV. I feel they are slowly making our people negative thinkers. All these shows have such unrealistic and disgusting plots and sequels.

    I think our audience needs more positive attitude shows, at the least, something that's not as far fetched.

    Without a doubt, this process could take time, but, in the end - we will see better and focused media.

    Something that's worth watching.

    Cheers.
  • @Sanne You are right about our stereotypical analysis of things that have been reaffirmed by the media - which is actually the villain in the first place. It seems the media is giving us a different picture of the world for their own business gains. Where has ethics and professionalism gone?
  • To be very frank Indain television is mainly relying on how much of drama can be fit into one episode, so as to bring in more people to watch the unfolding the next time they tune in. Works fine, but has ruined or should i say corrupted the minds of viewers. Now he just cant bare a simple show with simple rules and a simple ending. There has to be a Villain, The Rat, The Pessimist and of course The One Who gets things back to the right track. This was started by the nations beloved Balaji Studios which changed the way people looked at television as a source of entertainment. As if this wasn't enough, then came someone in the Zee family who decided that there is a way to put drama (false drama to be precise) into Reality TV as well. And it worked wonders for them with Sa Re Ga Ma Pa.

    This same method is applied to the above written article. There is a Villain in as the face of the interrogator, The Rat is the very suspicious Polygraph Machine (u never know what it is going to say), and yes of course the person at the hot seat, the poor little guy who has to deal with lies and sorrow and hatred along with trying tell the truth somehow and making the most weirdest of faces and a fake passion to cry at any moment.

    It's really simple, there is always a script writer who writes the question to be asked, he skillfully manages to write a host of controversial but known answers to the world. This is spoon-fed to the actor on the seat. Then its up to the director to decide where he wants the show to go. Where does he want the most controversial things to creep up. Making the show a hit amongst the people. The show relies on truth only? Nahhh! It merely relies on the bogus stuff around it, things people already know but never thought otherwise. Our television first made us insecure about our own house (with the coming of the K serials) now we r asked to poke our noses into someone we hardly know beyond what the newspapers say. We are now being led into being the pest in the society who just needs a puff of gossip to shat in the morning. If u know where i am getting at. This can be more addictive then we think!
  • Sanne
    On Chat With Paul:

    5:13pmSanne
    hi- just read it - i dont know the show - so hard to comment..
    5:14pmSanne
    But I think there is one fallacy in your analysis - taking the picture of America - as promoted by Hollywood and TV to be America.. In reality - America's morals are much less stereotypical "western" than many in India (and Europe) want to believe. Many people are very religious also, to give just one example..
    5:15pmPaul
    i think you should copy and paste that into my comments

    5:16pmSanne
    Well - its something my husband (who grew up in USA) has told me a long time, and which I found to be very true when being in USA. Just like India is not a country existing only of elephants, maharajas in big palaces, poverty, spirtual gurus and exotic clean beaches and people dancing in wet sarees all the time, the USA is not just a country of teen age pregancies, loose sexual morale, eager to share there most intimate details on national TV etc...
    But as we are human,s we like to stereotype and work with simple pictures – esp. if that image is reaffirmed through TV and other entertainment on a daily basis. In which case it ecomes harder and harder to resist. When someone confronts me with criticism on the norms and values of the West (based on information they got from TV/film) – I always ask to what extent they think Bollywood can be taken as a documentary of India.

    On the topic of whether this should be on TV, I don't know, I haven't seen it. But the best thing about TV is that it has a switch-off button, and that no-one forces you to see it (unless you travel overnight in an INdian bus of course ;-).
  • @Aayushi Jindal Congrats on the Facebook Connect. You finally manged to work it. Cheers.

    The polygraph machine is a gimmick in itself. All baloney.

    And yes, we must not think selfishly for money, but consider the world around us.

    Do keep commenting with your Facebook Connect.

    Cheers
  • I so do agree with you Paul, Americans can never be Indians and vice versa. Our culture, tradition, food habits, work structure, way of thinking and what not everything differs……Indians became conservative over the period of time, it is the same place where Kama sutra was written and now we feel uncomfortable even discussing about it and you won’t believe , during Victorian times the so called Britishers were so conservative that even the legs of the table were covered so that it won’t arose sexual desire………hahahaha…….quite a funny thing though………anyways this is all together a different topic to talk about………
    If we talk about the show I guess it’s not about being an Indian or American, every individual has their own personal stuff which we don’t wanna share…..ya I do agree our take on the show would be totally different coz of our upbringings I guess. But I wonder why people come on this show ….is it for money, or for fame, or for creating problems between their relations or…….. and polygraph machine that works on the physiological responses such as blood pressure, breathing rhythms, body temperature, pulse rate n so on…. But don’t you think all these responses change with excitement, anxiety, and apprehension etc…….than how we could trust it…….
    on the whole the show to me is a crap………..but ya it has a big fan following…… people like it or not but they do watch it……..even u…….
  • @Anish Every day a new show challenges the TRPs argument. Its an ongoing discussion. As for watching the show, I only follow it up from what people have been telling me. Its true I've seen the first episode, but just skimmed to be in touch. How can I propose an argument without analysing the show first. lol. I can sense your liking for the show. hahaha. Any how, will get to 'Eddie izzard.' Cheers
  • Anish Vyavahare

    You are a bit late on 'how far should TV go for TRPs.'
    Apart from that, why the fuck are u still watching the show?
    And then again, if its a show that will fail, it will be the fruits of its own karma. Don't give them TRPs by watching and then say it is an uncool show. Works. Try it.

    And while you are at it, watch Eddie Izzard.
  • aartibadamikar
    Good observations Paul and nice articulation. Yes, the context of a subject is very significant. And in my opinion, hitting masses is imp and difficult at the same time than targeting a niche few. Good luck!!
blog comments powered by Disqus