For a country fed on a diet of Saas Bahu soaps, reality TV came as a dose of reality. With Kaun Banega Crorepati or KBC as it was popularly known Siddharth Basu revolutionised the way people watched TV.
But today he feels that the reality TV is getting a little out of hand.
''Well these shows thrive on controversies or drama generated in the show and I feel sometimes they cross the line. For many participants it means a lot to participate in these competitions and you can try and talk to them but then sometimes someone's sense of loss is so great that you can't connect,'' said Siddharth Basu.
Basu too has seen young Shinjini from Kolkata succumb to the stress of competition. He feels that because reality TV is so new to India, no one really understands its boundaries.
''You cannot have adult standards for children, they just are not equipped to handle the stress. You have to be a lot kinder and gentler with them, then again the parents of these children should not put so much pressure. I think it's time that you put out some sort of regulations on these shows,'' Basu added.
But the reality is this: Even as Shinjini lies in a hospital bed, preparations continue in hundreds of studios across the country.
For thousands of aspirants from across India, from towns small and large, aiming for that one elusive chance to change their lives - a change that shows like these promise.
Posted by Neha Mehta | Views 632 | 
