Sunday, August 23, 2009

Sach ka Samna / Moment of truth
While I was flipping channels yesterday I came across an interesting program. Sach ka Samana aka Moment of truth.

A game show where one has to face 21 questions about their life; I should add, uncomfortable, disturbing, revealing and rather personal questions, at the end of which they would stand to win Rs.1cr (Rs.10 million). Quite a sum of money.

Basically before one qualifies to sit on the ‘hot seat’, he is put through a polygraphic machine (lie detecting machine), the one which Robert De Niro subjects Ben Stiller to in ‘Meet the Parents’; and are administered 50 questions that are quite personal.

While I tuned in, there was this fat north Indian guy, typical Mumbai middle class businessmen type, gold chain on wrist, double chin, paan stained red teeth, overflowing stomach flab, sitting on the ‘hot seat’, a thin bead of sweat on his brow, answering questions like:

1. Do you have a secret in your life, which could potentially break your marriage?
2. Have you ever suspected your wife of adultery?
3. Have you been unfaithful to your wife?

Well if you are wondering what the answers to the above were, then I should say at this point that you have a Voyeur hiding inside you (though you would never admit it). Let me relieve you of your curiosity. The answers, were YES, YES and YES. And the answers were all TRUE.

If it brings you any relief, I will accept I am a voyeur too, because I continued watching the show and derived pleasure out of it too. Not the kind of sadistic pleasure you derive out of torturing people you hate, but the kind of curious pleasure you derive, when you see a horrific road accident but just ‘tut tut’ your way as you pass by the hapless victims and the blue and red sirens of the police cars and hospital vans and then shamelessly brag to your friends later that you passed by that accident, while they have just heard of it on the radio.

Then I came to know that this show was popularized in the US (Moment of Truth), though roots were in Colombia. It’s got very good TRPs by the way. Now, why am I not surprised?

And guess what, the guy in the hot seat has to answer all the questions in front of his family and friends, who are given a front row seat to see the tamasha.

While I was watching the show I was wondering is this all really worth it? I mean I wouldn’t reveal the dark secrets of my life for Rs.1cr (probably Rs.10cr might convince me otherwise). Imagine you win Rs.1cr, but you are mentally scarred for the rest of your life. Your friends, your family, your neighbours, the whole frigging country knows everything about your life! Is it really worth it? I guess that question would be best answered by the contestants.

And you know why I think this show will succeed? Because inside each and every one of us, there is a voyeur hiding. An innate quality we are all born with. And one which the media guys have scented, salivated on the thought and capitalized on.

After the show my wife asked me “Sweetie, would you ever participate in this show?” I said “Would you?” Both of us didn’t answer the question. We just gave that smile to each other. After all, life isn’t worth spoiling with 21 truths.

What about you? Would you?

6 comments:

Abir Mulgaonkar said...

I never say never buddy.
But Yes, I am with you when you say that 1 crore is not the worth to make your life a living hell!!
I mean some day or the other we (me incl) are going go to........(HELL) :)

Unknown said...

Dei..
Let me know when they have a show "moment of lies" i'm sure we ill pass with flying colors..

he he he

SidZ said...

I thought you had done a laser correction to your eye...whats with the micro font size? ;))))

Mann the polygraph is the most unreliable instrument to gauge the truth :) the first think they teach you at 'Spy' school is how to defeat the polygraph :) its just a matter of controlling your nerves, which in turn stabilizes your heart rate...and guess what, if you are a yoga practitioner, this is like walk in the park!

Increasingly, the law enforcement agencies have realised this and hence are resorting to 'Narco Analysis'...the suspect is injected with 'Scapalomine' (Truth Drug)and vola...he vomits the truth! :)

kavi said...

Ha haha , enjoyed it , remember we used to play truth and dare!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi

Had same opinion as u had but u c money is something a very few people in the world can resit. family will be only b too happy with the 10million. Friends and onlooker may comment momentarily but soon everything is forgotten.

Unknown said...

Forget it, I wouldn't *think twice* before entering this crap. My sins are aplenty, and I don't think I can lie 21 times consecutively.