From Mini Mathur to Apurva Agnihotri-Shilpa Saklani: These celebs exposed the truth of reality shows by calling them 'fake' and 'scripted'

There's no running away from reality shows on television. They are widely watched among the audiences and rake in TRPs for the makers. However, many have questioned the 'real' in reality shows in the past including celebs who have been a part of it as hosts, contestants or judges. Take a look.

Mini Mathur hosted six seasons of Indian Idol before calling it quits. The popular TV show host and presenter opened up about her reasons for doing so on Cyrus Broacha's podcast. Mini shared that she was enjoying her stint and making good money until the makers began to create moments on the show and it began to feel like manufactured reality. She said she was initially 'invested in every single person' and invited the contestants home. However, that faded soon. She added, "I called it quits only when I realised that now, there is no longer a real reality. I did six seasons. After that, it was just a question of making money, by then, the husband had started making money… But I really didn’t appreciate that reality had become constructed." (Photo: Instagram)

Kishore Kumar's son Amit Kumar was invited on the show in 2021 for a special episode. However, the music composer criticised the contestants after the episode was aired. He wasn't impressed with the contestants and made no bones about it. When he was asked by ETimes TV the real truth behind praising contestants on the show, he said, "I did what I was told. I was told sabko praise karna hai. I was told jo jaisa bhi gaaye usko uplift karna hai because it's a tribute to Kishore da. I thought it would be a homage to my father. But once there, I just followed what I was asked to do." He said he appeared on the show as a chief guest because the money was good.

After Amit Kumar slammed the contestants, singer Sonu Nigam put forth his views on fake praising contestants on music reality shows. Talking to ETimes, he said, "As a judge, we are here to teach something to the contestants. We should give honest feedback to the participants. Always praising them won’t do any good. Humesha wah wah karoge toh kaise hoga (how will it work, if you always praise them)? We aren’t here to spoil these kids. Even the contestants won’t understand when they have performed well and when they haven't if we keep praising them." He encouraged contestants having flaws and revealed that this is the reason why he is now selective about appearing on reality shows. (Photo: Instagram)

Sunidhi has also been a judge on Indian Idol for two seasons. In an exclusive conversation with ETimes TV, she didn't shy away from admitting that she is not seen on such shows anymore because of the fake praise they are required to do. She said, "Yes, we all were told (to praise). That was the basic thing. And so, I couldn't go on. I couldn't do what they wanted and I had to part ways. Hence, today, I am not judging any reality show." (Photo: Instagram)

Earlier this year, Rubina Dilaik, who had won Bigg Boss 14, did not bat an eyelid when she was asked if Bigg Boss was scripted and if it helps to be the channel's face. She said, "Of course, it does. Matlab in all respects, aap channel ke face hain, aap channel ke favourite hai. Yes, everything is just there, very categorically made for you. Absolutely designed! Pura script diya hua tha." The actress had done Shakti - Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki on the same channel for several years before quitting it for the reality show. She participated in BB with her husband Abhinav Shukla. (Photo: Instagram)

In one of their vlogs, Apurva and Shilpa spoke to their followers about their stint in Bigg Boss season 7. Addressing the most asked question about it being scripted, Shilpa tried to be diplomatic but Apurva gave it straight away. He said, "It is scripted. The channel knows who will react and how. And that's why people have started predicting in recent seasons. And the makers at the end, kind of forcefully have to turn tables and surprise everyone with the winner's name. We saw it in the recent season too, else everyone would have said, 'She (perhaps suggesting Priyanka Chahar Choudhary) is the channel face, so she became the winner'. The show is scripted to a certain extent."

In an exclusive conversation with ETimes TV, Manish Goswami, who is Bollywood actor Manoj Kumar's cousin and had produced more than 35 shows, told us, "In India, reality shows are scripted. They are scripted to an extent that they become viewer-friendly. The target audience has been identified and they are given what they're waiting for. The makers want to get all the expressions in a 45-60 minute capsule and the viewer-excitement quotient is kept in mind. But I don't think that this happens abroad as they are very strict there."