Social Currency is an engaging reality TV show brought to life by the collaborative efforts of Fazila Allana, Kamna Menezes, Sanvari Alagh Nair, Meghana Badola, and Chad Greulach. The show boasts a vibrant line-up of content creators, including Vagmita Singh, Sakshi Chopra, Ruhi Singh, Mridul Madhok, Parth Samthaan, Bhavin Bhanushali, Aakash Mehta, and Rowhi Rai, who take center stage in this exciting series.
What adds a dash of pizzazz to Social Currency are the special guest appearances by the glamorous Sunny Leone, the comically talented Kusha Kapila, the internet sensation Ashish Chanchlani, and the iconic rapper Badshah. The series comprises 8 riveting episodes, each spanning around 40-50 minutes, which is an optimal duration to keep viewers hooked.
Social Currency ventures into the world of content creation, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and triumphs these creators face. As the title suggests, the show emphasizes the currency of social influence in the modern world. The range of content creators and the dynamic guest appearances make this series a must-watch for those interested in the digital landscape and the lives of the individuals who dominate it.
The instant I pressed play on Social Currency, a premonition struck me that this show might test the limits of my sanity. Lo and behold, my intuition wasn’t far off, as the show felt like Big Boss, but with influencers at the helm – essentially, it’s still Big Boss.
Diving into this reality TV maelstrom, the series unfolds much like its contemporaries, portraying these influencers going head to head in a relentless quest for supremacy. Amidst this journey, the drama hits you like a tsunami, escalating with every episode. Social Currency pledges to take the audience behind the scenes into the raw and unfiltered lives of some popular influencers vying for the ultimate prize. And oh, how raw and unfiltered it gets!
We see the candid side of the influencers which, depending on your palate for reality TV, could either be your binge-watching delight or a vortex of chaos you can’t escape. Brace yourselves, as Social Currency is certainly a roller coaster ride through the influencer jungle.
Social Currency isn’t all theatrics – there are genuine instances that might warm your heart or trigger a burst of laughter. A mix of entertaining quips and inspiring moments do make their way through.
However, the issue with such shows lies in the shadows of the glam and glitz, where personalities often morph into less authentic versions of themselves, ready to unleash a barrage of harsh comments.
Social Currency does have its fair share of moments that may make your skin crawl. It could be a disheartening incident, a cutting remark, or simply the interpersonal dynamics showcased that leave you irked and, at times, outright frustrated. While drama is the lifeblood of such series, the methodology for concocting drama feels misplaced, undermining the progressive image one might associate with these “new-age celebrities”. One would hope for a more compassionate and enlightened demeanor from the participants, but instead, we are served a platter of betrayal and disparaging remarks.
As for the challenges, curb your enthusiasm if you expect a fresh and invigorating set of tasks. Social Currency doesn’t stray far from the well-trodden path, pulling pages from the playbooks of other reality shows. The challenges often tread the line of cringe and embarrassment. Yet, there’s an inexplicable allure to watching participants squirm in awkward scenarios. If you’re not setting your expectations sky-high for Hindi reality TV shows, this might hit the sweet spot of guilty pleasure entertainment.
Beyond the antics, certain choices the show makes come across as contrived and occasionally verging on cruel and unwarranted. Such choices do not enhance the excitement or entertainment quotient; even in a survival challenge format, there ought to be a semblance of balance. Stripping participants of hard-earned rewards feels excessive, even for a show of this nature.
What’s astonishing is the sheer audacity with which some participants can subject themselves to limitless embarrassment before potentially hundreds of millions on Netflix, without batting an eyelid. To some, the willingness of participants to go to any lengths, even to the point of pleading for favors to win a challenge, could be confounding. However, there’s a certain respect for these contestants’ uninhibited spirit and self-assurance.
Moving on to the contestants, a majority fit the mold of stereotypical influencers, with only a handful presenting themselves as relatable or grounded. Aside from fleeting tender moments, don’t anticipate an emotional roller coaster. The ‘admin’ character serves as the host through voice notes—a peculiar choice, though the soothing voice adds a calming layer to the mix.
Excessive swearing punctuates the show and feels gratuitous. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with an occasional curse, moderation should be exercised, especially when the content is to be featured on a global platform like Netflix.
A deeply concerning aspect of Social Currency is the casual exploitation of critical social issues. Witnessing so-called “influencers” weaponizing pressing concerns that merit earnest dialogue is disconcerting, only to portray faux outrage when confronted for their shallow understanding. If a show opts to tread into matters of significance, there is a responsibility to do so thoughtfully. Trivializing these issues undercuts their gravity, relegating them to mere footnotes that risk being brushed aside.
If you’re venturing into Social Currency, brace for a whirlwind of audacious stunts, contrived drama, and an array of characters that run the gamut from intriguing to vexing. Be prepared to face entertaining and cringe-worthy moments, and take the show for what it is—a lighthearted, albeit at times superficial, romp through the world of influencers.
Ultimately, Social Currency falls into the category of shows that serve as background noise. At the same time, you’re engaged in other activities or when you’re in the mood for something that doesn’t demand much attention. Beyond that, it feels like a compilation of all the cringe-worthy content you might have stumbled upon on social media, with an air of artificiality, barring a few redeeming moments that offer genuine engagement. The over-the-top editing does little to elevate the experience.
Social Currency is available for streaming on Netflix.
