Actor Sourabh Raaj Jain has criticised the current state of Indian reality television, calling some programmes “sick, oppressive, inhuman and sadistic” in a strongly worded social media post. Without naming any specific show, the Mahabharat actor questioned how far television channels are willing to go in pursuit of higher TRPs, saying the industry needs a “reality check”.
Taking to Instagram Stories, Sourabh revealed that he had initially been advised to stay silent because the issue did not concern him professionally. However, he said he could no longer ignore what he was witnessing. “I was told to be quiet on this as it doesn’t concern me professionally at all… But I have to say this purely on the basis of humanity,” he wrote before criticising the kind of content currently being aired on television.
The actor argued that reality shows have crossed the line in their pursuit of ratings. “It is insane how low they are going for the sake of TRPs. It is NOT entertainment. It is sick, oppressive, inhuman, sadist and more, all combined together,” he wrote. Sourabh also questioned the role of television hosts and producers, wondering how prominent personalities continued to endorse such programmes. He said the industry needed to reflect on the kind of benchmark it was setting for audiences.
His post immediately triggered speculation online, with many viewers assuming he was referring to Netflix’s Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa, which has recently generated controversy over allegations involving contestants and emotionally charged confrontations. However, Sourabh later issued a clarification, pointing out that TRPs are measured for television broadcasts, not OTT platforms. “TRP is considered for television viewership, not OTT. Kripya thoda samjha karo,” he wrote, indicating that his criticism was aimed at a television programme rather than a streaming series.
Although Sourabh stopped short of naming the show, his clarification shifted attention towards Khatron Ke Khiladi 15, which recently drew criticism after contestants were subjected to a controversial “Pain Auction” task involving repeated hits from rubber pellets. The stunt sparked outrage online after participants including Gaurav Khanna and Karan Wahi shared photographs showing injury marks on their backs. However, Sourabh did not confirm whether the stunt-based reality show was the target of his remarks.
The actor further emphasised that entertainment should not come at the cost of artistic value or human dignity. He argued that audiences deserve programmes combining creativity, skill and meaningful storytelling instead of sensationalism designed purely to boost ratings. According to Sourabh, reality television should entertain while maintaining ethical standards rather than relying on shock value.
Social media users largely supported the actor’s comments, with many agreeing that reality television has become increasingly sensational in recent years. Others praised him for speaking out despite not being directly associated with the current crop of shows. At the same time, several viewers continued to speculate about which programme had prompted his criticism, keeping the debate alive online.
Sourabh Raaj Jain, best known for portraying Lord Krishna in Mahabharat and a former contestant on Khatron Ke Khiladi 11, has generally maintained a low profile away from controversies. His latest remarks have nevertheless reignited discussions about the ethical limits of reality television, with many viewers questioning whether the pursuit of higher TRPs is encouraging increasingly extreme content.