Reality shows thrive on emotions: Apurva Agnihotri

Apurva Agnihotri is playing a reality show producer in "Aasman Se Aage" and says suchshows thrive on emotions as hardships of contestants find a connect with the audiences.

"Reality shows strive on emotions. People like to watch how a person works for 18 hours to earn 1,000 bucks a day or hardships faced by an autorickshaw driver. This is because they relate to the hardships," Apurva told IANS on phone from Mumbai.

"No one would really like to listen to the stories of a multi-millionaire. 'Aasma Se Aagey' delves into the world of reality shows. I wouldn't say it is 100 percent based on reality shows - 70 percent is about the reality shows, 30 percent is fiction," he added.

The actor has himself participated in the reality shows like "Nach Baliye" and "Pati Patni Aur Woh".

By agreeing to work in 'Aasma Se Aagey', Apurva says, he has taken a risk. The show comes on Life OK.

"I have taken a risk, but I like it. It is a path-breaking show, something, which has not been on television before. The show has opened up well, considering there was hardly any publicity. Moreover, it clashes with 'Bade Acche Laggte Hai' (on Sony) on same time slot," he said.

Apurva is one actor who made a trasition from big to small screen. After working in movies like "Pardes" and "Pyaar Koi Khel Nahin", he moved to small screen.

The 39-year-old rose to fame on TV as Armaan Suri in popular show "Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin". Later he featured in "Kaajjal", "Radhaa Ki Betiyaan Kuch Kar Dikhayengi" and in 'Bidaaii Sapna Babul Ka' as Anmol Rajvansh.

The actor feels television is yet to evolve.

"I don't think television has evolved as yet, we are still trying to. The saas-bahu serials still rule the roost. People still like to watch such shows and are hesitant to accept new concepts," he said.

Lot of shows start off with new concepts, but end up showing saas-bahu politics. This, as Apurv says, is done to make profit and added: "For the benefit of the show, they include major twist and turns."

"I think we should start having various seasons of the shows, just like American drama 'Desperate Housewives', where the curiosity remains among the audience," he added.

What about going back to movies?

"I have no idea when would I be back on big screen. I always opt for something that excites me. I would love to direct," he said.