Dil Se Dil Tak - A Meeting Point

First, a little bit of a prologue.

The Child Rights Commission is on the verge of putting through a legislation - which could ban children under the age of 16 from participating in reality shows. This was after immense pressure put on the commission after the Shinjini Sengupta tragedy.

Though a couple of months back, television channels put on a brave defence - putting the blame back on Shinjini, now the commission could take steps that could ruin their revenues - channels like Zee are clearly quivering in their boots.  And a great example of it is a list of “best practices” on the Zee TV website - where they list out all they will do during the shoots of Ek Se Badhkar Ek - Chota Packet Bada Dhamaka.

I seriously wonder why these best practices were not in place during the just concluded Ek Se Badhkar Ek series. Or better still, I wonder what would have happened had these practices been put to practice. Here’s what Zee says:

The show will NOT FEATURE any child below the AGE OF 6
Methinks: Had this rule been there, was there anything that could have stopped judge Abhijeet from behaving like a 5 year old?

NO SMOKING in areas which children have access to.
Methinks: Good thing this wasn’t during ESBE. Else, where would have all that smoke from Abhijeet’s ears have gone?

NO AERATED DRINKS: Judges, contestants, guests, crew all will be given juices and other health drinks
Methinks: Fantastic. Everybody needs health drinks. But plenty of times you had a feeling if Abhijeet was on a healthier drink. Hic!

DOCTOR to be PRESENT all time on the sets on shoot days. 
Methinks: If had this practice on the ESBE shoot - they could have used the doc’s service in a nautanki where a contestant feigns a heart attack on seeing Abhijeet’s points. TRP opportunity lost.

FOOD on the sets will be NUTRITIONAL. Spicy, Non healthy, Greasy food will not be served to children.
Methinks: Food was always nutritional on the ESBE sets. Ask Ahmed Khan.

No FIRE CRACKERS or any EXPLOSIVE MATERIAL to be bought into the studio.
Methinks: This rule could have effectively ruled out Abhijeet’s entry into the studios.
 
AMBULANCE ON CALL. A tie up with the nearest hospital for emergencies. 
Methinks: Could have been helpful in sending Maamoo to the local asylum.

And now for the epilogue: The biggest joke on Zee TV website:

The Programme should be conducted with an intention to promote and hone singing and dancing talent amongst participants. No other motives to be attached with the competition. 
Methinks: Yawn.