How Chhoriyan Chali Gaon is changing the way we look at Indian reality TV

India Today

5 days ago

In a world of copies, 'Chhoriyan Chali Gaon' dares to be original. One of the reasons reality shows in India became a rage in the early 2000s was because of their novelty factor. 'Bigg Boss', 'Roadies', 'Splitsvilla' and 'Khatron Ke Khiladi' gave us a break from saas-bahu dramas in scripted TV shows.Whether you watch them or not, you know about them because they set the benchmark for Indian reality television. Several reality shows have tried to copy the same template. Contestants being locked in a house, fighting for survival in their quest for love - we know it all, and we have seen it all. However, in recent years, we haven't seen anything that hasn't already been done.advertisement'Chhoriyan Chali Gaon', the latest reality television show on Zee TV, seeks to break the usual pattern. It features 11 celebrities leaving their luxurious and comfortable lives in cities to live in a village.
These celebrities include actors Anita Hassanandani, Aishwarya Khare, Anjum Fakih, Reha Sukheja, Rameet Sandhu, Erika Packard, influencers Krisnna Shroff, Surabhi and Samriddhi aka Chinki-Minki, Dolly Javed and comedian Sumukhi Suresh.The first season, which premiered on August 3, features the contestants living in Madhya Pradesh's Bamuliya village. The concept? The chhoris (girls) learn to adapt to village life and perform tasks based on it. The one who manages to win tasks and stays on the show till the end will win.There are no sets. The contestants are seen staying in with the villagers in their homes, following their customs and traditions. That's where it gets real.The portrayal of rural life on the show is as real as it can get. The interactions between the villagers and the contestants are heartwarming. They share real and unscripted moments, which is also the highlight of the show.One particular instance that stands out is Anita Hassanandani staying with a family with three children, who lost their mother to electrocution. Her bonding with the family is both emotional and real. Dolly hugging a villager while missing her family in Mumbai, and a villager crying after Krishna felt sick are just some of the heart-touching moments on the show.The villagers emphasised multiple times in the show that contestants are like their daughters. This is an emotion that is rarely seen on television, let alone reality television.Amid this, the contestants' struggle to adapt to rural life is as hilarious as it can get. The moments where they struggle to adapt to the lack of amenities will make you chuckle. From brushing their teeth with neem sticks, learning to be okay with rats and bugs around, to cooking on a traditional stove, they do it all.The tasks range from learning how to take out cow's milk, catching roosters and riding bull carts. These might sound easy, but seeing celebrities struggling to perform these tasks is such a joyride. advertisementHaving hosted several reality shows, actor-host Rannvijay Singha brings a sense of gravitas to the show. His emphasis on the contestants respecting the customs and traditions of villagers and being mindful of their emotions is worth applauding.Final verdict? 'Chhoriyan Chali Gaon' is bingeworthy and memorable. It is a reality show innately rooted in India's rural culture, which is a side that hasn't been explored so far. Watching the show makes you appreciate the fact that the makers tried to be original and bring freshness to the Indian reality television space. The episodes of show are also available for streaming on ZEE5. - Ends