Shark Tank Vs. Big Boss: Scripted Reality?

Shark Tank Vs. Big Boss:

Well, for the novices, both are reality shows. Here are some details to get you started.

Shark Tank (the original one) is an American business reality television series that premiered on August 9, 2009, on ABC and is currently having 14 Seasons. Shark Tank India is an Indian Hindi-language business reality television series, a franchise of the American show Shark Tank. The show features a panel of investors called “sharks,” who decide whether to invest as entrepreneurs make business presentations on their company or product

Bigg Boss is an Indian reality show franchise based on the Dutch reality show Big Brother. Big Brother is a Dutch reality competition television franchise, first broadcast in the Netherlands in 1999. As of 15 August 2021, there have been 504 seasons of Big Brother in over 62 franchise countries and regions. Contestants called “housemates” live together in a specially constructed house that is isolated from the outside world. Housemates are voted out, usually on a weekly basis, until only one remains and wins the cash prize.

Now, once you are familiar with the two shows, let’s get to the point. Recently, RPG Enterprises Chairman Harsh Goenka (US $3.2+ billion conglomerate) tweeted about Shark Tank. It is liked by 17.5K users and retweeted 2300+ times (as on 21-feb).  The tweet contains FY22 profit after tax of the companies owned by Sharks. As one can see that mostly these firms are bleeding. But, interestingly, giving lots of suggestions to upcoming startups.

When you read about great companies and their history (e.g., Good to great), or for Microsoft , or for that matter any big company of today (that was a startup some time back, Yahoo, Google, Amazon etc.), the one thing appears crystal clear that almost all the co-founders have tough time to start with and had to work a lot. Whereas, (I wonder how) entrepreneurs appearing on Shark Tank, how do they get so much time to get ready for a TV show/shootings/rehearsal. One case easily see through queer acting by judges, contestants, emotional stories, fights, laughs and overall funding less than advertising revenue 

On the other hand, the Big Boss, hosted by none other than the big bhaijaan  ‘Salman Khan’ has its own interesting drama. One can see the contestants name trending on tweeter regularly, showing the might of their PR team in action. Moreover, the fights and over the top crying, make their ways to online media news. Salman Khan still rules the TV and bollywood. In contrast, Rahul Dua hosts Shark Tank India (Google and find out who he is).

Well, the first season of Shark Tank India, was received very well as it was a very different content to typical Indian TV. But, unfortunately, the bug of TRP has finally bitten the show, and the core idea behind such shows drifted to audience appeasement via scripting the story. Something similar happened to the all dance and singing shows, where the background story of the contestant became more dominating than the talent.

Nonetheless, one of the greatest positives of the show, is that K10 kids/teenagers are watching and discussing it. We need such nudges and interventions to build business awareness among the generation next. These youngsters are brimming with ideas and shows like this will be of great help to nurture their ideas and sow the seeds of entrepreneurship.

Shark Tank India is always a better choice than any Mirzapur type series (despite its rhetoric drama). Some of the very well known business schools are using the series in teaching and driving student engagements. The winners from Season 1 are doing very well. Let’s hope that the show continues to generate such winners who can make substantial contribution to society, community, and overall economic growth.

Ek Baar Jo Maine Commitment Kar Di Toh Mai apne aap Ki bhi nhi Sunta..(From Wanted Movie)