Rakhi Ka Swayamwar on NDTV Imagine - finally the spectacle started

With a whole host of new reality programs having started on TV, the quest to make something different drives television programming. When you combine this quest with a weird personality such as Rakhi Sawant, who would like nothing better than to create a new sensation, you get the idea of having a Swayamwar for Rakhi. To tell the truth, my stomach turned over when I first saw the TV ads, since I do not particularly like Rakhi. However, I am trying to be objective when I write this, and purely from a reality show basis, the mission of trying to get a girl married off through a reality show is about as exciting as a reality show could be (although I am not convinced that Rakhi will eventually marry the person at the end of the show).
The show asked for people to send in their applications (the show announced that 12,000 people sent in their nominations), and after screening and further review, the list was shortened down to 16 people (view the 16 contestants on this link). The show is being hosted by Ram Kapoor (from Zee TV's Saat Phere), and is being hosted at Fateh Garh Palace, Udaipur. The costumes are splendid. However, when I asked around as to how many people enjoyed the show, majority opinion out of 10 people was that they found the show boring (they found the first day boring), so maybe the excitement will improve as we move onto more episodes.
Each week, the grooms will be put through tasks that will test their personality, character; physical fitness, talent and also their compatibility with Rakhi. Additionally, Rakhi will be joined by a host of her celebrity friends for certain tasks, who will help her make her decision. In keeping with tradition, Rakhi will also visit the homes of the prospective grooms to get to know their families better. All through the series, viewers will help Rakhi decide, by voting for or against the prospective bridegrooms.

Videos of Rakhi Ka Swayamwar:

Raja Hasan to appear on the show on the 2nd of July


Rakhi Ka Swayamvar, 1st July 2009, Part 1


Rakhi Ka Swayamvar, 1st July 2009, Part 2


Rakhi Ka Swayamvar, 1st July 2009, Part 3


Rakhi Ka Swayamvar, 1st July 2009, Part 4


Rakhi Ka Swayamvar, 1st July 2009, Part 5