Spice & Splice: How India Flavors Global Reality TV Formats (EXCLUSIVE)
variety.comNaman Ramachandran In the bustling landscape of Indian television, reality shows have carved out a significant niche, captivating audiences with a mix of international adaptations and homegrown formats.
Popular formats include “Bigg Boss,” the Hindi-language version of the global “Big Brother” format; “Indian Idol,” adapted from “Pop Idol”; “Khatron Ke Khiladi,” the Indian iteration of “Fear Factor,” “India‘s Got Talent,” the Indian version of the “Got Talent” franchise; and local versions of “Shark Tank” and “MasterChef,” to name a few.
Industry leaders weighed in on the enduring popularity of these shows and the potential for Indian formats to make waves globally. “Reality, game and talent formats have always been popular in India, even in the ‘80s and ‘90s,” says Sameer Nair, managing director of studio Applause Entertainment.
Nair is the television pioneer who, in 2000, brought “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” to India, titled ”Kaun Banega Crorepati” (KBC), and hosted by legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan on Star TV. ”But with ‘KBC’ in 2000, the celebrity-powered version of officially licensed unscripted television took root in India,” he adds.
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