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Arshad Warsi on ‘Bigg Boss 11’ being “down market”

When you hear the title ‘Bigg Boss’, the first things that comes to mind is the show’s superstar host, Salman Khan. He has been presenting the reality TV show with so much intensity over the past few years that it has become hard to picture anyone else but him as the host.

Before Khan took this position, personalities like Amitabh Bachchan, Arshad Warsi and Shilpa Shetty had hosted the show. Warsi was the first celebrity to host the adaptation of ‘Big Brother’ which has now reached its eleventh season. Being the original host of the show, his absence surprised the audiences when the team of his Diwali release ‘Golmaal Again’ visited the sets of ‘Big Boss’ for promotions.

Deccan Chronicle reveals that one of Warsi’s jokes during a promotional event on Khan was reported as a likely reason for his absence, it appears his problems with the show were most likely the reason, which he spoke about in a recent interview.

“The (Bigg Boss) show is down market,” Warsi told Mid-day. He stated that, “People on the show, I hear, are tacky.” He further added, “I haven’t seen this season, but I’ve heard about it. The channel is attempting to boost the ratings by showcasing the things that sell. And thus, morality is taking a backseat.”

“People enjoy watching crass, and the channel is merely serving it. The content showcased on Indian television is regressive. The day people change, their taste (in content), 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.

Warsi shared that there was a big difference in the show from the time he was hosting to its current style, “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. No one wanted to cause any trouble. There was no nudity or violence demanded in the clause. 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.”