How India is spicing up the global reality TV formats

In the vibrant 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 version 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 continued popularity of these shows and the potential of Indian formats to make waves globally.

“Reality, gaming and talent formats have always been popular in India, even in the 80s and 90s,” said Sameer Nair, director of studio Applause Entertainment. Nair is the television pioneer who released ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire?’ in 2000. released. to India, titled “Kaun Banega Crorepati” (KBC), and hosted by legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan on Star TV. “But with ‘KBC’ in 2000, the celebrity-driven version of officially licensed unscripted television took root in India,” he adds.

Nair points out that the success of international formats in India is often a combination of the original concept and local adaptation. “It is of course about the format itself, but in all cases it is about the addition of the local Indian tadka [spicing] if you like, it has given the shows something special that has endeared them to the Indian audience,” he explains. “In ‘KBC’, yes [Bachchan’s] dramatic, even hypnotic Hindi-English baritone sharing knowledge and wealth, in song and dance, it is a combination of incredible new talent and the nostalgic memory of the amazingly popular Indian film scores of the past and present. In ‘Bigg Boss’ [the Indian version of “Big Brother” on JioCinema produced by Banijay Asia] Salman Khan’s unique quirky charm makes for a voyeuristic viewing experience. In both cases, something uniquely Indian adds to the magic of the original format.”

Nikhil Madhok, head of originals at streamer Prime Video India, echoes this sentiment, highlighting how streaming has transformed the landscape of unscripted content. “Streaming transformed the space by exposing viewers to the breadth of possibilities that non-fiction or the unscripted format offered,” says Madhok. He notes that Prime Video has diversified its offering to include formats such as true crime, reality and non-fiction series, often with a unique Indian perspective.

“At Prime Video, the customer is our North Star, and all our programming decisions are based on their tastes and preferences,” says Madhok. “We realized early on that Indian customers have different preferences. As a result, unscripted content has been a key pillar of our programming from the beginning and we have pioneered innovation in this area.”

Aradhana Bhola, director of content producer Fremantle India, attributes the popularity of reality formats to their emotional core. “Whether it is the awe we experience when someone showcases their talent, the inner joy that an underdog story sparks in us or the magic of seeing someone’s dream come true that also ignites hope in us, the ambitious and inspiring aspects of reality shows ensure the popularity of the genre,” explains Bhola.

Bhola cites the enduring appeal of shows like ‘Indian Idol’ and ‘India’s Got Talent’. “When we started filming our final season, I witnessed our judges [Shreya Ghoshal, Badshah and Vishal Dadlani] I went crazy when a young housewife sang a medley of North Indian folk. The commonality: ordinary people with stars in their eyes who walk on stage and give it their all, regardless of life circumstances. The power of that moment is palpable, real and undeniable.”

Mrinalini Jain, Group Chief Development Officer at content producers Banijay Asia and EndemolShine India, underlines the importance of adapting international formats to local sensitivities. “At Banijay Asia, we prioritize creating local versions of global formats that reflect the cultural nuances and emotional landscapes of Indian audiences,” says Jain. She cites ‘Bigg Boss’ as an example, noting how it retains its core drama while integrating Indian sensibilities.

Elaborating on the popularity of different genres, Jain says, “Competition-based formats like ‘Bigg Boss’ and ‘Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi’ remain incredibly popular as they combine high drama with a survival-of-the-fittest story . that appeals to both an urban and a rural audience. We were overwhelmed by the response a daring and sensual format like ‘Temptation Island’ received.”

Danish Khan, business head of streamer SonyLIV and Studio Next, emphasizes the role of reality shows in setting national ambitions. “Reality or unscripted shows are extremely popular in India, mainly because they portray the country’s ambitions and fears in all their complexity,” says Khan. He predicts that shows based on aspirations and lifestyle, such as ‘Shark Tank’ and ‘Million Dollar Listing’, will become increasingly relevant in the Indian context.

Khan also emphasizes the importance of localization: “For example, for ‘Shark Tank India’ it was important to localize the content in which we present the show. In India, entrepreneurship is generally not encouraged as a career as ‘business’ is considered a strong point of business families. Therefore, it was important to address this by focusing on first-generation entrepreneurs from different socio-economic groups. From the selection of the Sharks to our communications, we celebrated the journeys of first-generation entrepreneurs to appeal to a broader audience and truly ‘Shark Tank’ is resonating in India.”

Alok Jain, president of general entertainment at Viacom18, which operates streamer JioCinema, points to the unique appeal of reality TV. “What sets reality TV apart is its powerful combination of relatability and unpredictability,” Jain explains. He notes that the interactive nature of these formats, which allows audiences to vote or influence the outcomes, creates a stronger bond between viewers and shows.

Jain also highlights the success of “Bigg Boss” on JioCinema: “The launch of ‘Bigg Boss OTT’ on JioCinema has created its own identity by introducing features like 24-hour live feeds, multi-camera streaming and enhanced audience interaction . These innovations create an immersive experience that will especially attract younger viewers who are eager to engage more deeply with the content, keeping the show relevant in today’s fast-paced digital landscape.”

As the sector continues to evolve, many executives see opportunities for Indian formats to gain traction internationally. Nair suggests, “Indian creators need to create universal ideas that are formattable, scalable and franchiseable; That will take our ideas global.” Bhola from Fremantle, India is optimistic and says: “The clock is already ticking!”

Jain from Banijay Asia shares this optimism, saying, “India’s storytelling prowess is well established, and our reality formats have the potential to resonate globally.” Viacom18’s Jain agrees: “Our ongoing conversations around our own IPs reinforce that there is a growing potential for homegrown Indian reality formats to be adapted globally, just as international formats have been for India. With the increasing interest in Indian culture, cuisine and diverse lifestyles, unique Indian shows can resonate with international audiences.”

Prime Video’s Madhok sums up the Indian industry’s approach: “Regardless of the format – true crime, reality or docu-follow, the story must entertain the audience and unfold in a way that keeps viewers’ interest alive, from episode to episode. episode. Just like fiction or scripted, unscripted and non-fiction should also build a strong bond between the audience and the characters, in this case real people or subjects, and take the viewers on a journey.