When Bigg Boss became Aap Ki Adalat

Last night the impossible happened. Bigg Boss suddenly acquired a veneer of respectability. This came on heels of scandal. For the first time ever, on Monday, a contestant was arrested from within the Bigg Boss house. Armaan Kohli was arrested by the Lonavala police because ex-contestant Sofia Hayat filed a complaint against him for verbally abusing her and hitting her face with the handle of a broom (that actually happened. I’m not making it up). I, for one, couldn’t have been more pleased. I’ve been wondering how long it would take one of the women in the house to file a complaint against Kohli . That it took an unknown starlet to stand up to him instead of Tanisha, his favourite whipping girl and doormat rolled into one, is a separate matter. [caption id=“attachment_1299219” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Courtesy: Facebook[/caption] It’s common knowledge that the disembodied Bigg Boss voice never speaks up to restrain Armaan when he’s screaming, shouting and hurling abuses at the women, and occasionally shoving them. But the voice showed itself to be capable of great diplomacy when it was heard informing Armaan that the contestant had to leave the house for a bit, with nary a murmur about an arrest. Clearly, Bigg Boss is counting on its audience not paying attention to newspaper reports and news channels, which broadcast the news that Kohli had been arrested. Kohli was kept in custody overnight until Rs 50,000 was paid as bail, with Kohli’s father and friend standing as surety for him. He was then released back into the wild, aka the Bigg Boss house. And when he did, Tanisha, like a good supportive wife, welcomed him back with open arms. I was most impressed that Kohli been arrested because contestants seem to have the equivalent of diplomatic immunity while in the Bigg Boss house. You can murder, pillage, not pay your maid enough while in the house, but the long arm of the law can’t touch you. But Kohli, like Khobragade, has found out there is no safe haven in this world. Poor baby. Last night, the show’s respectability rose a few notches because Rajat Sharma of Aap Ki Adalat and India TV fame conducted a trial (complete with mock witness boxes) in the Bigg Boss house. For Kohli, standing in the box must have seemed like a dress rehearsal for what will follow when he leaves the house. I’m no fan of India TV, but I do like Rajat Sharma. His Aap Ki Adalat was a great concept and he’s one of our better interviewers. As a disclaimer, I was part of the PR team which launched India TV and I think he’s a thorough gentleman and very dignified. Which is why I was wondering how he’d fit in the land of the wannabe actors and has-been starlets. Would he ask them anything worthwhile or would it all be popcorn and candyfloss rubbish talk? But suddenly the contestants started behaving like well-mannered and slightly scared students. They spoke only when spoken to, looked embarrassed when shown clips of their ridiculous behaviour. Sharma showed clips of contestants bitching each other out, contradicting what they were saying. Essentially, Sharma called a spade a spade; a doormat, a doormat; and a turncoat a turncoat. Even with Kohli, Sharma was quite direct. He told Kohli he wouldn’t mention why Kohli had to leave because the cops had advised Kohli against discussing it, but Sharma did question the actor about his rage issues and why he picked on Tanisha. When Kohli said he’d always wanted to come on Sharma’s actual Aa Ki Adalat, Sharma told Kohli that he’d be invited once he did something worthwhile. Tanisha was told that being a doormat is hardly something to be proud of and as a role model for female audiences, this was hardly an image to promote. Tanisha’s defence was to say that putting up with abuse is a sign of strength in itself, which is when I threw up a little in my mouth. The only one who emerged out of Sharma’s questioning with their dignity intact was Gauhar. But nobody likes an opinionated woman, so I’m guessing she’ll get voted out soon enough. I thoroughly enjoyed last night’s episode even though it is a little heartbreaking to think Rajat Sharma now needs a Bigg Boss to bolster his brand offering. Then again, I suppose people who watch India TV to learn “Rajesh Khanna ka naak kaun dabaata tha” (who used to press Rajesh Khanna’s nose) and “Kyon ho gayi bewafa Osama ki teesri biwi” (why did Osama’s third wife become unfaithful) are the same people who watch Bigg Boss. If the fit is actually neat, then let’s hope Sharma’s straight-talking will make Bigg Boss get with the program.