Besides being part of some blockbusters this decade, Salman Khan is also known as the host of the television show Bigg Boss. But the man who donned the role of host in the very first season of Bigg Boss, in 2006, was Arshad Warsi. Now, the host of the inaugural season is displeased with the show in its current season.
Speaking to the daily Mid-Day, the Golmaal Again (2017) actor expressed his views on the show. “The show is downmarket," Warsi said. "People on the show, I hear, are tacky.”
Though he hasn’t watched any episode of the current season, Warsi believes the channel has resorted to immoral tactics to popularize the show. “I haven’t seen this season, but I have heard about it. The channel is attempting to boost ratings by showcasing things that sell. And thus morality is taking a back seat,” he said.
Warsi believes the scenario was different in the first season when he hosted the show. “The concept back then was to understand the psyche of people and notice the developments that occur when they are made to reside in a house, isolated from the world,” he said. “No one wanted to cause any trouble. There was no nudity or violence demanded in the clause.”
Warsi also pointed out the channel's thirst for immediate jumps in TRP ratings. “When you meet new individuals, you can be cordial for a week. Then you discover their traits. When good behaviour wears out, the dynamics change. It takes time for people to reach that stage. But now the channel wants immediate TRP success, so they are consciously sending nutcases into the house,” he said.
But the actor feels the audience is equally to be blamed for how the show is turning out. “People enjoy watching crass [content], and the channel is merely serving it. The content showcased on Indian television is regressive. The day people change their tastes, the narrative of the shows will also change. If the world wants to see sensible people in the house, the channel will oblige. The audience wants to see dramatic people, those who fight, hit and abuse,” he said.