Bigg Boss has ruled reality TV for years, and so has its sole superstar, Salman Khan. He became the face of the Bigg Boss. It’s a show where friendships are fake, tantrums are real, and every episode consists of a new drama. After all, it’s human nature, isn’t it? The reality show where contestants show their true colours, often creates fake scenarios and goes viral on social media. Of course, generated TRP for channels too. There were many other reality shows that went by, but none could challenge the position of Bigg Boss.
But now, Rise and Fall has arrived with the host Ashneer Grover. Everyone knows him as the blunt, no-nonsense business shark, and he is shaking things up. Rise and Fall show splits contestants into two teams. In these two teams, the lucky ones live in a luxury penthouse, while the rest slog away in a gloomy basement. Yes, another level from Bigg Boss. Here, viewers get to witness two scenarios in one show, which makes it interesting.
Corporate Soldiers has brought you the sizzling hot drama from reality TV!
Rise and Fall Has Beaten Bigg Boss in TRP War
The scorecard is wild for Rise and Fall. Yes, Rise and Fall has beaten Bigg Boss by a huge margin in certain weeks, and ratings are going wild already. This shows people are now craving fresh concepts, not old concepts over and over like Bigg Boss. People are glued and hooked to Rise and Fall. Now, everyone is talking about the old rage and rift between Ashneer and Salman Khan, and nobody minds a little binge-watching as the drama unfolds. Also, Rise and Fall is streaming on the OTT platform Amazon MXplayer. This shows youngsters are watching more content on OTT platforms rather than TV.
The Clash of the Hosts
If Bigg Boss is a cult, then the host is the cult leader. Salman Khan, with his mix of big-brother authority and Bollywood charm, has been the master of ceremonies, entertaining, and sometimes, upending contestants’ self-worth with a single arched eyebrow. He is the face of Bigg Boss, and no one has challenged his authority until now. Shark Tank India alumnus, Ashneer Grover, is here with his throne, whose weapon of choice is bluntness.
‘I am not here to move things forward, but shake things up,’ Grover openly says. Yes, our dear readers, Ashneer is the anti-host. He doesn’t believe in sugarcoating the words and eschewing scripts but loves raw, unfiltered honesty.
Is This a Response to Insult?
Remember the famous insult on the show Bigg Boss? The incident of insult occurred during a ‘Weekend Ka Vaar’ episode of Bigg Boss 18 when Ashneer Grover appeared as a guest. Earlier, before attending the show, Ashneer did a podcast and appeared in public interviews. But what he said on the podcast became viral for obvious reasons. In the podcast, he claimed he had negotiated harshly with Salman’s team to sign him for a brand deal. He even shared the specific (and allegedly incorrect) figures about payments and the process. Ashneer also described an uncomfortable experience during an ad shoot with Salman. He shared how he was denied a photo opportunity with the actor and made some bold remarks about their encounter.
What Happened Exactly?
As we can expect, the statements travelled to Salman Khan, and he called out Ashneer’s ‘doglapan’ or double standards. On the show Bigg Boss, he gave the exact reference of Grover’s statement and mimicked, ‘I have heard you say things about me and my team, even when I have never personally met you. You said, ‘We signed him for this much, for that much;’ all your figures were wrong. So then, what is with the double standards?’ Salman challenged Ashneer on point-blank. Ashneer went silent, speechless. Needless to say, it was a rare sight for someone who is known for quick comebacks to do so.
Just like this, Salman called out Ashneer for exaggerating and misrepresenting their business dealings. He also said that Ashneer was projecting a more aggressive persona in podcasts versus their respectful manner face-to-face. And as we can expect, Ashneer had no answer back then, and this clash became an instant meme. It was a win for Salman but for Ashneer, not so much.
Ashneer Gave An Apology
So, what happened afterwards? Ashneer apologised to Salman Khan and clarified that his earlier statements were only to highlight Salman’s effectiveness as a brand ambassador, not to demean him. Also, soon after the episode, Ashneer posted a detailed clarification online. He showed his respect for Salman and insisted his figures were audit-verified and meant no disrespect. However, now that he is back with a reality show like ‘Rise and Fall’, people are gossiping, already guessing if this is a response to the insult or not.
Rise and Fall, Is it a Response?
Rise and Fall brings a fresh appeal to the concept of reality shows. While Bigg Boss is all about emotions, drama, and unpredictability, Rise and Fall is the game of strategy, power games, and sneaky moves. It is the show where anyone can lose everything in one slip. So, it means double the action, double the fun, and endless debates on who is the real king of Indian TV, the good old Bigg Boss or freshly baked Rise and Fall.
The Format of Both Shows
Bigg Boss used a classic format for the show. Let celebrities locked in a house, let them scheme against each other, fighting, and forging friendships under the all-seeing eye of Bigg Boss. Week after week, viewers get to see new drama as nominations, secret tasks, and alliances create emotional outbursts and lots of controversy. The formula is simple here. Keep audiences guessing who will be voted out, who will break down, and who will win the favour of the superstar host, Salman Khan.
On the other hand, Rise and Fall is the upside down. In Ashneer Grover’s domain, contestants split into Rulers. One, living large in a penthouse and the other as Workers, scraping by in a strictly basic basement. One rules and enjoys privileges while other works just to survive. It is a game of power, and the power is the real king. Rulers have privileges and resources like currency, while Workers compete, connive, and strategize their way upwards. It’s the representation of actual society, not some old drama. Here, drama is less about hugs and tears, and more about reversals, strategy, and unapologetic ambition, much like its host Ashneer, isn’t it?
Rise and Fall Has Fresh Cast and Concept
Bigg Boss has unexpected friendships, loud, sometimes cheap fights, and eliminations. Here, the show chooses celebrity housemates from television and film, but critics suggest the magic is getting a bit recycled as ex-contestants and influencers crowd the rosters.
The Rise and Fall has a bolder, fresher cast, such as actors, athletes, social media stars, and even activists. Here, trans women, creators, and sports icons are amongst the contestants and all battle, for the tower’s top. Since tasks are inventive, strategy matters here. This means if a move goes wrong, a ruler can tumble or a worker surging up to the top.
It’s a Comeback in Style!
There will always be another episode in reality TV, but we can say for sure that it’s a comeback for Ashneer in style. However, he says he learnt something from Salman, ‘If you really want to comment, watch every episode yourself. That’s when genuine feedback emerges.’ And just like that, Ashneer has won the TRP game through his show ‘Rise and Fall’. Now, we have our eyes on the whole drama, ‘Will Ashneer go further to dethrone Bollywood’s biggest showman?’
Whatever happens, we, Corporate Soldiers, keep you updated. Let viewers get two reality feasts and a front-row seat to the clash of the sultans. After all, as these empires rise and fall, the biggest winner is always the audience.
