‘No Voting’, ‘No Rating’ for Jhalak season 9

There’s an observation, which we would like to share with our readers.

A popular saying, ‘with great power comes great responsibility’ holds true for reality shows. When the makers throw the fate of the participants in the ring, fans become the king makers.

Thus, they are powerful and responsible for the decision they make by rooting and voting for their favourite contestant/s.

Opening voting lines for the watchers has emerged as the ‘been there done that’ norm. From Bigg Boss, Nach Baliye, Indian Idol, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa to the recent The Voice India, Dil Hai Hindustani, India’s Got Talent, Super Dancer or Dance+, audience voting has played a key role in determining the success of a project along with the churnings in the ratings meter.

One popular venture, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (Colors and BBC) this season made a notable shift in its conceptual paradigm. It clipped the voting power for the masses and judges were made absolute adjudicators.

Jhalak, a glitzy dance reality show, is all about celebs getting groovy on stage, creating memories unforgettable. It creates a beautiful picture wherein the journey of the stars gets entwined with the aspirations of those watching at home.

Reel meets the real and pockets of fandom mushroom, some root for the nimble footed while others cheer for the underdog. Support, love and adoration pour in via votes for the favourites, keeping them alive in the contest, week after week.

This year, by not allowing the voting process, we feel the makers have made an egregious error. It dissected its own umbilical, cutting the source of growth and popularity.

Jhalak 9 made for a starry line-up, however, it has proven to be damp squib so far. By nudging away democracy, the show has failed to build bridges and develop a bond with the masses, who feel rather hapless and disjointed with the proceedings not being able to participate.

Voting options lend a sense of gratification for viewers, they feel involved, a small part of the larger whole. A phone call from a fan in Bigg Boss is a ‘dream come true’ moment. Audience crave for it.

Content creation and consumption are two different streams. Jhalak without voting this season has chopped its own feet by diminishing engagement and interaction.

Result? Ratings have taken a dip after initial push.

As per BARC data, the reality series clocked 4.4 million impressions in its first week (30 July) followed with 4.7 and 3.6 million impressions in the next two weeks. The highest it attained was 5.2 million impressions on 3 September (2016).

The show progressed and excitement level dipped. The figures for the last three weeks are 1.9, 2.9 and 2.3 impressions, which is satisfactory if not overtly exuberating for a property as well marketed and credible like Jhalak.

Shares an industry expert, “Jhalak is an entity that is special to Colors and BBC. Every year there are plans to make it bigger and better. This time they did put together a great judges line up and body of celebrities. However, with no audience voting, it’s like you clap for your own act. There’s a definite disconnect.”  

Did the makers go wrong in the decision? Is the damage irreparable now? Is there a learning for others too? A case of experimentation gone wrong?

Well, the answers are subjective to perception.

But it seems that our thoughts have rung some semblance with the creatives as they have decided to open the voting process in the finale week. Salman Yussuf Khan, Shantanu Maheshwari and Teriya Magar are the finalists.

Better late than never, like the say, and let’s see if the penultimate move proves to lend the show a much needed fillip.

What are your thoughts on the article? Did you all miss voting for Jhalak? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.