Mumbai: Actress Jyoti Tiwari who is currently seen in Hui Gumm Yaadein, believes reality shows have become an important part of the entertainment industry, largely because they allow audiences to see a more personal side of celebrities and contestants. With formats such as Bigg Boss, Khatron Ke Khiladi, Lock Upp, Rise and Fall and Roadies continuing to attract attention, she feels the reality television wave is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
“Reality shows have definitely become a very strong part of the entertainment industry. People connect with them because they get to see a different, more personal side of celebrities and contestants. And honestly, people today have so many options for entertainment, so if they are giving you their time, attention and energy, that itself is a big thing,” Jyoti says.
While reality shows are often viewed as a quick route to fame, the actress does not necessarily agree with that perception. According to her, appearing on such shows comes with its own challenges, especially because contestants are constantly under public scrutiny.
“I wouldn’t necessarily call it a shortcut because being on a reality show itself requires a lot of courage and you are constantly being watched and judged. Yes, it can definitely give you visibility and help you reach a larger audience, but what you do with that visibility afterwards is more important,” she says. Jyoti also points out that gaining attention is only one part of the journey. For her, sustaining that attention and turning it into a long-term career requires consistent effort.
“Fame can come quickly, but sustaining that fame and building a genuine career takes much more than just one show,” she adds. Speaking about the often-discussed difference between an actor and a star, Jyoti believes both represent different aspects of an artist’s relationship with the audience. While acting is rooted in craft, stardom comes with a larger audience connect.
“An actor is primarily known for the craft and the characters they play, while a star has a certain connection and pull with the audience beyond just the performance. But I also feel the two can go hand in hand. An actor can become a star, and a star can also be a very strong actor. At the end of the day, the audience decides what they connect with,” she says.
The actress also reflects on how social media has changed the aura surrounding Bollywood actors. Earlier, audiences had limited access to celebrities, which naturally created a sense of mystery. Today, platforms such as Instagram allow fans to get a glimpse into their favourite stars’ everyday lives. “Earlier, I think there was definitely more mystery because audiences only saw actors through films, interviews and a few public appearances. Today, social media has changed that completely. We can see an actor’s everyday life, their travel, their opinions, even their personality,” Jyoti says.
However, she does not believe social media has completely taken away the charm of stardom. Instead, she feels actors today have to find the right balance between being accessible and protecting their personal space.
“So that mystery has reduced, but I don’t think the aura has disappeared. In fact, I feel the challenge today is to maintain a balance — be accessible enough for your audience to connect with you, but still keep a little bit of your personal world private. I think that mystery is also part of what makes a star interesting,” she concludes.
