'Swayamvar': Will the real Rakhi Sawant please stand up

New Delhi, June 30 (IANS) Item girl Rakhi Sawant had promised to be her real self on "Rakhi Ka Swayamvar" but she seems to be trying too hard to break her outspoken image by projecting herself as a subtle, demure and a perfect bride-to-be on the reality show.

"Rakhi Ka Swayamvar" went on air Monday and Rakhi's low tone of voice and graceful mannerisms on the pioneer episode was a complete contrast to how the audience knows the item girl.

From the moment the show began when host, actor Ram Kapoor introduced the concept as well as the bride-to-be to the time when Rakhi herself welcomed 16 prospective grooms to the Fateh Garh Palace in Udaipur - Rakhi did not look her real self.

This, despite the fact that she had promised the world that "Rakhi Ka Swayamvar" would show her "real" self.

From small-time actors, a police officer, a sales manager, an NRI businessman to engineers, an advocate, a student, a marriage consultant, a stunt artist and even a choreographer - Rakhi has a number of grooms to choose her life partner from.

On the show Rakhi will choose her perfect man with the help of viewers.

The 16 grooms, who have come from cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Bulandshahr, Hrishikesh, Jaipur, Kanpur and Srinagar and even from places as far as Toronto, made every attempt to woo the lady in their unique styles.

While some walked in with elaborate and well-thought gifts like a wedding dress, a teddy bear, a bangle, et al, a few tried to impress Rakhi with their 'shayari' (Urdu couplets) in the first episode itself.

But the selection of the final candidate will be decided on the basis of several parameters. The contenders will be brought together under one roof and put through a series of challenges that will test their personality, character, physical fitness, talent and also their compatibility with Rakhi.

All through the series, viewers can help Rakhi decide, by voting for or against the prospective grooms and the final week will present the wedding celebrations.

Though the concept is slightly bizarre for the regular Indian audience, Rakhi always does something that leaves her fans shocked - something she has partly managed to do in the first episode itself with her new avatar.

'Rakhi Ka Swaymamvar' is being telecast every Monday-Friday at 9 p.m. on NDTV Imagine.

• Television