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One of a kind

Photo: PTI

On the lookout Rakhi has devised tests to separate the grain from the chaff

Love her or hate her but you cannot ignore Rakhi Sawant. She calls herself the daughter of the media and is now using it as a vehicle to get married, the royal way. “Rakhi Ka Swayamvar” on NDTV Imagine will see 16 men vie for the attentio n of arguably the most controversial figure on Indian television at the picturesque Fatehgarh Palace in Udaipur.

But what is it that makes this brash girl a brand that a channel, which was launched with Ramayan is now depending on for revival? What is so special about her that around 15,000 males applied to be her groom, or for that matter, what hooked media houses from across the country to her late night press conference on a desolate hill in Udaipur? “See, you may not like her but the show’s concept evokes curiosity. People want to know whether the so-called item girl will really get married on a television show,” says Nitin Madhok, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, NDTV Imagine.

Perhaps that is the reason the channel is keeping the affair short and sweet. “It will be over in four weeks’ time. We don’t want to stretch it unnecessarily, and the sanctity of the institution of marriage will be maintained,” Nitin assures us.

The market has responded. Fem (from the supposedly family brand Dabur), known for its bleaches, is sponsoring the show. Does Rakhi match the product profile? “The brand might not use Rakhi as a brand ambassador for its product but for the show its target consumer is matching ours — 15 to 35-year-olds — common girls who aspire to be married in a swayamvar,” adds Nitin.

Still, her image doesn’t gel with that of a homely girl waiting to tie the knot. “She has got shock value,” reasons Ram Kapoor, Rakhi’s long time friend, who is hosting the show. “People may disparage her in public but while switching channels they do stop for a moment if some Rakhi-related news is on air. And a girl who has seen so much early in her life deserves a chance to get married the way she likes.” Ram agrees that the fact that she is a limited actress helps in making the show even more realistic.

Her straightforward approach is one factor that has been mentioned by all the prospective grooms in their profiles.

The 16 come from different backgrounds — from a Crime Branch officer from Jammu and Kashmir to a Vastu expert to an NRI from Toronto. Rakhi is spoilt for choice. And she admits, “I am confused. They all seem good.” However, a close look reveals more than half-a-dozen of them are aspiring actors or associated with the entertainment industry.

Rakhi has a way to clear the chaff. “The tasks that have been designed to check their compatibility will ensure the exit of those who want to use me as a stepping stone. In fact, I feel parents will get inspired to use these tasks when they go out in search of a groom for their daughters.”

Nothing is out of bounds for Rakhi. She smirks at the ancient approach of testing the physical strength of the groom and says, “Right now the focus is just on how much the guy earns. There should be a holistic approach.”

Giving it a practical format is clinical psychologist Trupti Jain, who has devised games to form the psychological profiles of the prospective grooms.

Analysing Rakhi’s appeal, Jain says, “There are many girls in our society who are forced to make compromises to eke out a living or just survive. Those who don’t have to face those circumstances dub it as weakness, but it is not always the case. She is emerging as a hope for such girls. They feel they can also make it. They could also get married. She has come up from the bottom of the society and says things which many of us feel but don’t dare to say.” Jain says her experience with Rakhi tells her she is decisive. “She knows what she wants.”

Obviously, Rakhi doesn’t believe in all this analysis and continues to baffle with her statements. “I give the credit of my success to Jesus.” Till the other day she was a Ganesha devotee. “Now I read the Bible every day.”

Will she get married according to Christian customs? “No, I will get married the Hindu way but it could be nikaah as well for one of the participants is a Muslim.” But it is supposed to be a swayamvar? “Main main hoon. Main Rakhi Sawant hoon.” Period!

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