The latest entry to the Bigg Boss’ house is the saffron-clad activist, Swami Agnivesh, who claims that he’ll use the prime time to generate a dialogue about various social issues. But his entry also sparks a debate whether a small screen platform that thrives on high drama to gain TRPs and votes allow room for social change?
“Reality shows feed on controversy, and people who are interested in them are generally craving for attention. I don’t think anyone will take him seriously with this move,” says DU student Devika Mittal, who is actively working on “Save Irom Sharmila Campaign”.
Young activist, Umang Sabharwal, who has been the brain behind the recent “Slutwalk” in the city believes that popular media is the best way to put across any kind of message. “But it often lacks the sensitivity that’s required to talk about the issues. The format of the show demands it to be spicy and the actual propagation of message may take a backseat,” she says. Agnivesh, who has been talking about rights of the marginalised and was ousted from Team Anna says he’ll be particularly talking about women’s rights on the show.
Sonia Kapoor, 23, a child rights activist says that while Lakshmi, who represents transgenders has managed to get an important issue on TV, but the popular show is still not the right platform to talk about social issues. “We have to understand, that even audiences aren’t ready to take such messages from the show. That’s why haute girls swirling on Bollywood numbers and those who are always on an offensive have ruled the roost in Bigg Boss’ house,” she says. Well, that could be why renowned women’s rights activist Gulabo Sapera was among the first ones to be ousted from the show.