RK Gupta: Greed is one of the seven sins. It ultimately leads to the gateway of hell. TV channels earn incalculable money from the viewers and from the advertising agencies. Nowadays, so many programmes have been launched like `Kaun Banega Carorepati', reality shows, laughter shows, and other with prizes up to even Rs 10 crores. Indian viewers are almost addicted and sit before their TV sets for hours and hours. The TV watchers are tempted to participate in the mega programmes. All the greedy persons do take part, very few, out of millions succeed in a very keen and hard competition at the cost of their health and wealth, only one candidate succeeds and he is no doubt awarded an attractive prize and many empty promises not to be kept in the future. In the whole process the real losers are the TV viewers who get their pockets emptied, overall it is a sheer wastage of the valuable money and time. 80% population of India, mostly of the middle class, who are over ambitious to become billionaires and this desire has been kindled by the market economy and the liberalization all over the globe. One should keep in mind that an easy money goes away very easily. Riches have wings. Only money earned by virtue of hard work is lasting and money ill-gotten is ill-spent. So, `avarice is the root of all evils'. Mega prizes on TV channels are neither good for the society nor for the individuals as well.

Jaskaran Singh Dhami: A prize, be it 'mega' or 'meager' is always of immense value if it comes as a recognition of our talent, a fruit of our hard work, as an accolade for our devotion or as an honour for the sustained and focused effort. A prize won in a lottery on the other hand is of an altogether different case. It has only materialistic value. In this case it is 'chance' which we term as 'luck' that matters. It does not come to us because we have done something worthwhile to deserve it. Mega prizes on offer on TV channels are amalgam of both these ingredients. You need to showcase a special talent to be there but the luck or chance factor also plays an important part. I personally feel that the reality shows etc on TV channels are serving as platforms or springboards for many talented and aspiring singers, dancers, actors and other artists. The prizes or the mega prizes they win are rewards in recognition of their talent and also a fruit of their hard work with a tinge of chance or good luck, so their being good for them is beyond questionability. If a talented person gets a chance to make fast and big bucks it puts him on the sound financial footing and he/she can pursue his/her goal more vigorously. Some winners of mega prizes can't digest the celebrity status and money earned overnight through TV shows. Their ego gets so inflated that they deviate from their track and these mega winners on TV competitions end up mega losers in the real life competition. Worldly wisdom teaches that it is better for the reputation to fail conventionally than to succeed unconventionally. The overdose of madness or euphoria associated with TV shows sometimes takes its toll on the contestants and specially on the winners. I have a feeling that some recent incidents involving losers and winners of TV bear testimony to the ill effects of winning the mega prizes and celebrity status and loosing these narrowly. The bottom line is tha, the talent needs to be hunted, nurtured and recognized and TV shows are doing a commendable job in this direction but at the same time the hype should not be allowed to engulf the artists' emotional / psychological well being. William Shakespeare says, "There is some ill a-brewing towards my rest, For I did dream of money-bags to-night." I leave the rest to the readers' imagination.

Rajeev N: Are the crowding line up of participants in the TV reality shows is just because of the big size of the prize offered? If only a token prize is given at the end of the show how many of them will turn up? How much is 'big' or 'very big' or for that matter 'mega'? To all these questions, you may get an answer starting with, 'it depends...' Yes! It really depends on the mindset and individual differences of the participants on one side and the couch potatoes who never hesitate to send a number of SMSes just to see that his/her choice charm would figure in the final stage. To me, the yearning for recognition and fame, to test one in the real situations are the real reasons which draw one to these competitions. The rest, all the prizes are just bonus. If the stage is well set and the the participants establish themselves really well, the springboard they get itself is the real mega prize. This can make one really big in life. The size of the amount or the bungalows or cars or anything of that sort is temporary in the material world. The real winner of the real life (not the reality show) will be the one who is not carried away with the inflated prizes ((Must have some inflationary effect?) given these days.

Satish Kumar Singh: Today mega prizes are synonyms of reality shows and no channel would like to lag behind in this race, because it is an excellent way of improving TRP rating of every channel. Without mega prizes or reality shows, not a single TV channel can survive in the market. To remain in the market; TV channels are compelled to take help of reality shows. Similarly, individual's interest also lies in these shows, because through such kinds of shows individual can earn name, fame and money. As a common man; we need not more than this. Thus, mega prizes or reality shows are just reflection of individual's desire. So in my opinion, mega prizes or reality shows are really good for individuals. Some points are given hereunder. Just look at them-: 1-No doubt; level of competition in mega prizes or reality shows is very high. In spite of that it is good for growth. As per opinion of psychologist, in stress, individual excels in his or her career or competition. 2-Such kinds of competitions bring out the latent talents in individuals. 3-Individuls' level of confidence increases tremendously. 4-Competitiors come nook and corner of India and on the basis of his or her capability they get everything in his or her life. In earlier days; for becoming a singer individuals used to take a long time. Now, the way is too short, but quality is needed today as well. Otherwise quality less person will be kicked out from the market without showing any sympathy towards him. 5-Viewer also wants to watch such kinds of shows. In fact, they enjoy shows. 6-Viewer feels attachment with shows throws their participants. 7-Undoubtely some time viewer does not cast vote to right participant on the basis of whereabouts of participants. Such kind of philosophy must be discarded. However, real candidate may also do extremely well in his or her vocation on the basis of his or her calibre in the coming days. In this way nobody can prevent the genuine candidates being rewarded. 8- Mega prizes or reality shows are superior way of getting employment. 9-Paticipation of common men in these shows reflects positive sign. Need to keep it up. 10-Now, common man also wants to be a star through such class of shows. In other words people are daring to see day dream and their day dreams are also coming true. If we introspect over the said points we will unquestionably understand the righteousness of mega prizes or reality shows.

AB Mehta: The real spurt in programmes offering staggeringly high prizes took place with the highly popular Kaun Banega Crorepati hosted by Amitabh Bachhan. Since then the next crorepati programme of Star plus hosted byShahrukh Khan was aired and was followed by Kya aap panchvi pas se tez ho? Soni did not want to miss encashing this greed mania and came up with dus ka dum offering ten crores and hosted by Salman Khan. The music competitions like Indian Idol, Amul Sangeet competition for grown up as well as children aptly named Ustad and chote Ustad, K for Kishore and similar programmes from Zee etc are meeting the money and popularity aspirations of the people. Overnight celebrity status apart from money and contracts has not been restricted to persons from Metros but has covered many middle class individuals from smaller towns. The Judging of such competitions has brought about many controversies. The over riding popular SMS votes has, apart from making telecom companies richer at the cost of crores of citizens, also generated many questions. There were reports of not allowing certain votes and bulk voting by groups in particular states and so on. Nobody in such business spends money from their pocket. Also every stakeholder has to make profit. So the poor common citizen is 'fooled' to participate and pay for all these apart from the huge prizes. The only positive point has been the opportunity to talented people to find a platform to exhibit their competence over extended period and get justified recognition. From that angle the high prizes in talent competitions competitions is justified. As regards the other shows, they border on gambling or at best a game of chance, although it is hidden behind a show of intelligence. The guest competitors in such programmes appeared to get simpler questions and won more than common participants. But they seem to give away their prizes to charity. In a country short of good experiences and happy situations any programme that keeps people indoor enjoying a few minutes of entertainment is welcome. At least they are better than sas-bahu intrigues and 'rona-dhona' movies. As far as TV channels are concerned nothing can be better than high TRPs, let the politicians and social critics (and forum participants like us!) worry about the impact on the behaviour of the common people.

KC Mouli: There are three aspects relevant to the topic. Firstly talent hunt, secondly infusing competitive spirit among youth and finally opening up these competitions as avenues for a professional career.

Initially the programmes served all the three purposes. One outstanding example of such competitions is singer Mahendra Kapoor who was rejected by the All India Radio during audition stating that his voice was not radio-genic. There are many such examples where talents could be explored in various performing arts including acting.

With the successful programmes like `Kaun Banega Karorpati' and other such programmes on the small screen, there was a rat race in this field. This race has resulted in the commercialisation of various popular programmes and the real spirit and objective of such programmes has been relegated to background.

Apparently these programmes have now reversed their roles. Firstly exploiting the talent, secondly popularising such talents on media-hype (without reference to their qualitative performance) and thus totally commercialising the whole performance. The recent failure of an earlier top performer to one of his former runners-up in the field of singing is sufficient proof in support of this conviction. Yet the huge awards of cash and kind for such performances do inspire talented persons, hitherto unknown in these performing arts, to try their luck. However lately it was observed that regional identity of the performing artiste was being exploited emotionally in achieving popularity hype which should be discouraged.

RK Kutty: These are the times of mega shows through multifarious television channels. It has both its pros and cones. Yes, while the channels open up good platforms for our young talents to excel in various fields and in the beginning it was very well received by both the participants as well as the viewers.

There were very interesting quiz programmes that gave good impetus to upcoming children to excel in competitive examination. KBC (Kaun Banega Crorepati) initially conducted by Big B Amitabh Bachchan and then by Shahrukh Khan were mega programmes that offered prizes to the tune of one crores and that were certainly very interesting.

But the problem started when the channels switched sides to promote only music, cinematic, and other mimicry/dance based programmes. Now the thrust is more on song based ones. Most of the South Indian channels like Asia Net continuously run such programme sponsored by Idea, titled Idea Star Singer, for which the prize offered are flats in places like Kochi or Dubai, costing about Rs 50 lakhs and this is also well received.

Then Z TVs Anthakshari and later Sare Gama too were big hits. Most of the prime relay times are consumed by such mega music, dance and other comedy/mimicry programmes and the practice of mega prizes makes it more interesting for the youngsters. But the fall backs often seen are that while these youngsters are heavily involved in such shows aspiring for big prizes, only very limited ones finally notch up the prizes and a large number are quite disappointed.

The scenes when such shows reach at the final stage were often presented lots of heart-burns. Further, the unfortunate incident of a girl that got terribly paralytic while performing on stage, reported to be on hearing some sarcastic remarks from the judges, prove even dangerous as the aspirations of the youngsters knew no bounds and the disappointment they receive in turn makes life quite miserable for them as well as their family.

Therefore, it would be better if such programmes are not hyped up and brought to such emotive pitch that breaks up heart and health together for participant's vis-a-vis viewers.

RJ Khurana: Yes, they are and very much. Mumbai is an extremely expensive city. Any one who goes to this city of the affluent to make a career has to have crores of rupees for a reasonably decent dwelling to live, designer clothing to wear and a car to drive to work. Those who take part in the various reality show contests have dreams of making big. If the TV channels offer a pittance no real talent will flow to Mumbai. All that the industry then gets will be morons. The maxim `If you pay peanuts, you'll get monkey nowhere holds truer than in Mumbai, the home of TV channels and the Bollywood. "Na baap bada na bhaiya, sab se bada rupaiyya"

Dr Visal A Khan: The concept of this big-ticket game show is very simple! Few contestants from a LIVE studio audience will be chosen by the host to play the game.

In the course of the game, the contestants will be made to choose any one door or walk away with the prizes offered along the way. But, what lies behind the door is the question...

The magical door could have anything from gold to clothes home appliances to a car Or NOTHING at all! If luck is at their end, all of this could be theirs for the taking. Set against a glamorous backdrop with loads of prizes offered to take home, hosts this show with great pride and delight.

Quick decision-making, high risk and luck are the keywords. Stay Connected" is a brand promise that looks at the key purpose of mobile telephony. It converges with the tangible requirement of 'network depth' & at the same time, reflects the eternal human need for bonding, kinsmanship, and relationship forming.

This new brand campaign enables Idea to own the biggest category benefit of "keeping people connected", through a simple, unique and likeable expression of connectivity. And it makes consumers aware that "no one connects better than Idea". Slated to run through, the campaign utilizes all relevant mainline media to propagate the message to its audiences with 60-second commercial and its various edits, print campaign & outdoor publicity.

Apart from it, various innovative media / events has been used to further strengthen the message.

Alpha Reji: Reality shows are the `in-thing' these days. Viewers are more inclined to watch them out of boredom of the stereotype `saas-bahu' serials or family soaps more inclined to work their lacrimal ducts.

Hence to keep the hapless viewers glued to the idiot box, mega prizes have to be doled out in turn who spend their hard earned money into their cell phones to feed the smses for some contestants. Pulling the emotional chord of the viewers seems to be last resort for these mega shows, which end dramatically.

Mega prizes are not at all good for the individuals since little they realize that the cost of the mega prizes are churned by the sponsors from the public at large in some way or the other. They are just a publicity gimmick to the immense consumer goods available in the market. So, the viewers are requested to think bit practically and not fall into the hands of people who have well crafted ideas to siphon off the hard earned money.

Enjoy viewing shows, after all they offer nothing more than entertainment.

Sushmita Shrivastava: Mega prizes on TV channels are not good for individuals, as the viewers and ordinary people who work hard for meager payments are frustrated to see winners walking away with huge prize money.

Ordinary people cannot even hope to save that much money even after years of hard labour. In such situation they are forced to conclude that hard work and labour is useless and a person who works hard all life always remain poor while winners of mega prizes become rich easily and quickly.

Besides the mega prizes are not good even for the winners, since the winners change their lifestyle quickly and their life becomes full of vices. They begin to avoid and look down their own relatives and friends who are not fortunate to become rich like them effortlessly.

And what is the most reprehensible aspect of all this is that the mega prize money comes from the pockets of ordinary people who work hard for small payments. Big industrialists and multinational companies cheat and fleece the customers to earn big money and give it to winners.

The frustrated youths even take to crime after seeing this unjust and cruel exploitation.