Is Tamil audience ready for male swayamvaram?

In the original format, the bachelor chooses his lady love out of 25 contestants over the span of a few weeks. They travel together and go on dates, in pursuit of love. The western show is rather explicit. So much so when it was brought to the Hindi audience, it was immensely diluted. “I don’t know how the Tamil audience will react when they watch an actor go on multiple dates. How am I going to watch the show with my parents,” was a comment of a social media user.

Given the amount of criticism Bigg Boss received during its first run, social media users are expecting more drama.

However, those in the TV industry say that the content is adjusted according to the sensibilities of the audience. Sudharshan S, an independent media professional associated with Tamil reality shows says, “These shows are made after buying the proper rights from the parent organisation. It is then scripted, based on the sentiments of the local audience. Hindi audience is different from that of the south and even within south India, a Malayalam crowd is different from that of the Tamil or Telugu viewer.”

Citing examples from the Bigg Boss, he says,

“The audience here connects with the underdogs. For instance, when Julie was cornered in the first week, the public supported her. Oviya became a phenomenon for the same reason. Even if you look at a singing reality show, there is a lot of focus given to the backstory of the contestant that strikes and emotional chord. “Those who work in the TV industry say a lot of content which could cause trouble are not aired. “While making a reality show as the makers we need to know the strength and weakness of every contestant in the show. Things are planned accordingly on the show few things happen spontaneously and they are the best. That can make or break a particular moment in the show,” says Gurpreet R, a former TV producer with a leading Tamil TV channel.

Official conformation is yet to be received from actor Arya or the channel on the show.