Say 'I Do' On Television

After Rakhi Sawant posed the question, “Mujhse shaadi karoge?” to the public, another channel came up with a reality show, Vivaah, that will arrange marriages for couples on TV.

While there are numerous shows devoted to love and dating, marriage was a different matter. The Devdaas queen, Madhuri Dixit’s Shubh Vivaah was the first show on Indian TV to enter that territory in 2001, but failed to woo audiences at the time.

“If it’s well-packaged and manages to captivate viewers, it could work,” says media analyst Anil Wanvari, “Marriage is a delicate subject. Girls in India lead a comparatively sheltered life.”

Anuradha Prasad, the production house’s managing director feels that this show is bound to be a success as marriage has great significance in the Indian context. “Every parent is looking for a groom or bride on matrimonial sites and in newspapers for their children. If you put a show together well and the audience is able to relate to it, it’s bound to be a success,” she says.

The show’s host, Mohnish Behl, says there are no such risks involved. “We will just introduce the boy and girl and their families to each other, give them the required information and make them answer important questions. Where the candidates take it from there is their business. There is no prize money or competition involved at all." He also adds that a show like this will work as it provides a service and has an anti-dowry message.