Fake drama galore on Life OK’s Mere Khayalon Ki Mallika!

Set in the grand location of Udaipur, Life OK’s The Bachelorette India – Mere Khayalon Ki Mallika gives an impression of creating drama only to gain TRPs.

The Bachelorette India – Mere Khayalon Ki Mallika

Time: Monday – Friday at 9:30 pm on Life OK

Producer: SOL Productions

The show so far –

The Indianised version of the international dating reality show Bachellorette, The Bachelorette India – Mere Khayaalon ki Mallika has a simple format which is high on drama. We saw the first episode which had an introduction to the 30 suitors who try to impress Mallika with their romantic overtures. Some very interesting men as contestants were seen, with each trying to outdo the other to impress Mallika.

So we saw businessmen, NRIs, shopkeeper, body builder, a social worker, a pilot and even a senior citizen amongst the odd lot of 30 which has now reduced to just a handful bunch. What is interesting is that the lot seemed to come mainly from North India with the maximum suitors being Punjabi and Jat. In the initial introduction Mallika looked suitable impressed with their gifts and dialogues for her. With each day and each episode as was expected there was high drama, fighting amongst the contestants, tasks given to all, emotional outbursts, even violence and fights to gain Mallika’s attention.

In the last episode which was telecast on Friday there was a freeze on the episode where Mallika has found out that one of her suitors has been side by side wooing one of her female assistants and has even written a letter to her along with his number.

What works –

The show is being shot at the grand Fateghar palace in Udaipur and the location looks royal. As it is the Indian format has been purposely showcased in such a way that it has a royal feel to it. The dhol, tashas, nagadas, entries on elephants and camels, the entire look and feel was different.

Mallika’s costumes by Gauri & Nainika were impressive and so were the host Rohit Roy’s. Rohit is calm and composed as the host and is the saving grace of the show.

What doesn’t work –

The high drama, contestants performing stunts to impress Mallika, the emotional outbursts later, accusations of playing favorites, all of it looks scripted and unreal. Mallika who has never proven her acting skills fails to make a mark here too as most of her reactions to all of this is the same. Her expression hardly ever changes and in some cases the entire situation looks hilarious and funny.

Successful in 25 countries earlier, this is the first time it is being shot in India and this is a desi swayamvar looks similar to the earlier shows like Rahul Dulhaniya Le Jaayega (Swayamvar Season 2), Ratan ka Rishta, Rakhi Ka Swayamvar, etc; on Imagine TV. Mallika has already gone on record saying that she will not be marrying the guy so what is the purpose of finding a suitable bachelor for her is the question here!

Our take –

While all the glitz and addition of royal touch has a visual appeal, the heart and soul of the programme is not in place. Somewhere it doesn’t touch a chord and doesn’t find any connect with the audience. At the end of it everything looks fake and when the same is termed as reality it is not worth it at all! While some of the contestants have been introduced as being actors or models in real life too, there are others too who are pursuing a career in the entertainment industry but are shown to be something else, for eg; Karan Sagoo who is in the news for his kiss with Mallika is being introduced as a restauranteur from London but is actually an actor who even has a flop film From Sydney with Love to his credit. Then there is Jasher Singh Kohli who has done ramp walks and is serious about pursuing his career as a model further. A reality show to woo Mallika is a sure ticket to achieve more fame and we are sure there must be others too in the list who are into this for the same.

To up the TRPs we saw guest celebrities like film director Mahesh Bhatt and comedian Bharti Singh making an appearance. Bharti who came in to help Mallika choose the right guy definitely managed to entertain the entire lot as well as the audience with her comic skills and even Mallika was left open mouthed with Bharti’s effortless acts.

The show has limited episodes run so those who are real fans of Mallika Sherawat will watch the show for her, while others can enjoy and have fun at the expense of the contestants and Mallika who too looks fake and hilarious at times!