“What has reality shows got to do about reality? It is beyond unreality; there is nothing real about it.' -Morley Safer
Children based reality shows have time and again received a lot of flak across the globe. But the truth is that the shows which involve children also garner high popularity. Reality shows like Junior Masterchef, Indian idol Junior, Sa Re Ga Ma pa, Sabse Bada Kalakaar, etc attract a large viewership and are high on TRPs.
Though these shows claim to explore the talents of the little ones, but what may seem a cute display of adorable kids prancing around on stage, actually is an exploitation of their innocence.
Recently, the talented filmmaker Shoojit Sarcar tweeted his concern about the issue. In his tweet he asserted the need to ban all the reality shows that involve children. Read!
We thought it is a very poignant topic to deliberate on and opinions of the TV industry insiders are a must, which is why we spoke to TV celebs regarding it.
While many TV actors slammed the practice of involving children in TV shows irrespective of the reality or fiction stories factor, some did support the incorporation of kids in the TV shows. Read on to get the details.
Kamya Punjabi:
I think when children act in shows, somewhere their childhood dies. On sets, during shooting, we have all kinds of sequences that may include abusive language, or scenes; children of their age should not be exposed to such things. Talking about reality shows, it’s a good platform to explore their talents, and it’s totally their parents’ call to let them work or participate in shows.
Amit Tandon:
I feel that children who work on TV shows are too much exposed. There are chances of exploitation of their childhood. They have to work for long hours, in hectic schedules, with makeup and all, and I think that’s too much pressure for kids. It’s a kind of labor. I think their work should be restricted and controlled.
Shweta Tiwari:
To a certain amount it’s okay, but children should not be pressurized by their parents. Bombarding them with so much responsibilities at such young age is not a good idea according to me. Though, reality shows help them show their talents to the world, but now reality shows have little reality and more drama, which somehow exploits the innocence in children. But after all, it’s their parents call.
Sargun Mehta:
I think it’s okay for children to work on TV shows and reality shows. If they have talent and they are getting opportunity, then why not? But yes, they should not be forced into it. If it is done for mere sake of talent then I support it.
Manav Gohil:
I think reality shows have now become really bad. Children are expected to act extra smart, and more than their age, and that doesn’t make me happy. Children should be allowed to enjoy their childhood. It’s fine that they act or participate as a hobby, but the glamour and drama is somehow making them look bigger than their age, which is not good.
Tellychakkar feels, being a part of a fast paced shooting environment where everything has got to be done to the T, there are different kinds of people who have different ways of looking at life. And when kids are supposed to be working with them, they are not just exposed but vulnerable as well. Some kids have a tendency to emulate people who are much older because they consider it to be cool, some find themselves unable to cope with the pressure so on and so forth.
To be succinct, it is like muddling with the children's psyche. Therefore it is advisable that parents keep the innocence of their children intact by making them stay away from the limelight. Education is a must at this stage of life and parents should be mature and selfless enough to accept it and give them their due. There's an entire lifetime left for them. Kuddos to Shoojit Sircar for bringing this issue to the forefront.
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