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Vai Raja Vai
 Vai Raja Vai, is a commonly used phrase in betting circles or the (in)famous 'moonu seettu' game that clearly borders on gambling. Vijay TV has used this epithet to fashion a game based not on gambling but purely on skill, grit and endurance. A television reality show with a unique concept has been attempted for the first time on Tamil television. A reality show with a promising Midas touch.
It might sound easy, but the test here is one of endurance and determination. The competition is simple in a way. All you have to do is place your palm on a glass frame and be the last one to take your palm off.
"Vijay TVhas always aimed at giving to its audience quality programmes. Experimentation with new genres and programme formats are nothing new for VIJAY. ‘Vai Raja Vai’ is one good example of how an innovation has been turned into a success", says Suresh Iyer, Head of Programming, Vijay Television Pvt. Ltd.
"'Vai Raja Vai' is a reality show and is way different from the stereotypical content available on television today. The philosophy of Vijay has always been to pioneer differentiated and relevant programming in line with the changing needs of audiences. We are confident that this reality show will add a lot more excitement to the habit of television”.
This week’s show features a 'Kalyana Seer' worth Rs one lakh. To win the 'Kalyana Seer' all you need to do is, place your palm on the glass frame! Keep touching it!! And be the last person touching it!!!
 This week’s show started off with 15 contestants participating for the 'Kalyana Seer' on 17 February, Tuesday at 1445 hrs. After 24 hrs, seven of the participants had given up with only eight strong-minded and persistent contestants still in the hunt. The competition is still going on. The first competition was held the previous week, the prize being a fridge. That contest took nine hours. Although Vijay TV staff were mentally prepared for a longer duration this time in view of Rs one-lakh-worth-seer offer, the fact that the contest has gone on for over two days would have surprised them.
These participants include Nallakannu (27) from Thenkasi, Basker (25) from Alwarpet, Murali (29) from Trichy, Shahin (24) from Trichy, Mala (25) from Velachery, Sahira (38) from Trichy and Prince (21) from Kolathur. Inspite of all the peer and physical pressures, these determined contestants don’t look like they will give up easily.
The audience and the crew are eagerly anticipating to know who the lucky winner of the 'Kalyana Seer' might be. The competition might be prolonged for another back breaking 24 hrs or more.
"If you have the dare devil spirit in you, if you are the unusual and adventurous type, if you can compete for a challenge of endurance…. then Vai Raja Vai is the game for you", says Suresh Iyer. All you have to do is fill in the form with the necessary details. You can log on to the site
http://vijay.indya.com or come over to Vijay office and fill in the details.
You might be called in for an audition, screening test and a physical fitness test.
Vai Raja Vai will be aired on Vijay on Sundays at 1030 hrs.
From the looks of it, Vijay TV has hit upon a winning formula that could take the serial places -- literally. Asked if the game would be taken to various cities and towns, Suresh Iyer said that was a possibility.
 A visit to the show-site in the VGP complex revealed hectic activity, with relatives and participants' needs being taken care of, whether it was food, toilets, safety of their belongings and so on. The crew from the almost all-woman team of 'IMAK News & Entertainment' company led b producer Annisa Joseph is busy round the clock, organising the live-shoot and taking care of the nitty-gritty. In Nandu, a new and lively anchor, with his keen sense of humour and the right vernacular touch, seems to have been discovered. Many of the participants are from poor and middle-class families, desperately trying to win the Seer and keep afloat in the harsh world of materialism that plagues the marriage industry. Some of the relatives were in tears as the game commenced.
On whether the number of prizes would be increased, perhaps some consolation prizes for those who finished in the last four or at least the runner-up, Suresh said these features could be thought of later as the show moved on. More sponsors might get into the show later, he felt.
The important thing is that a marriage is an emotional experience for the entire family, not just the bride or the bride-groom. In fact, there is a lot of hardship involved for relatives and friends. Therefore, Vijay TV aimed at doing something to provide some hope to families, even while providing a game of skill. "There are brides-to-be who are keen to contest. In some cases, relatives have offered to play the game for them. There is a case of a girl entering the contest, after her marriage was halted due to an accident in the family", says Suresh.
R Rangaraj
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