Reality television star and actor Baseer Ali shared his honest views on the reality television industry, long-term success, and the true meaning of fame during his appearance on Honestly, Why Not With MNL S2, hosted by Hoonur Talent Head Mohammed Nagaman Lateef. During the conversation, Baseer addressed one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding reality shows and explained why fame alone is never enough.
When Mohammed Nagaman Lateef asked him what big lie he would expose about “unscripted” reality television, Baseer clarified that reality shows are often misunderstood. “The biggest misconception people have is that reality shows are completely scripted. Whenever someone meets a contestant from Roadies, Splitsvilla, Bigg Boss, or any other reality show, one of the first questions they ask is, ‘Was the show scripted?'” he said.
According to Baseer, there is a major difference between a scripted show and one that is carefully controlled. “I always tell them there’s a huge difference between a show being scripted and a show being controlled. The makers invest crores of rupees in these shows. Most contestants are newcomers with little or no experience in handling television. So naturally, the production team cannot leave the entire show in the contestants’ hands.”
Explaining how the process works, he added, “The game isn’t scripted line by line, but its direction is definitely managed to keep the show entertaining. At the end of the day, it’s an entertainment product, and the makers do what they believe is best for the show.”
The conversation then shifted to competition among male television actors. Asked whether the environment is supportive or filled with rivalry, Baseer said both sides exist. “I’m probably not the best person to answer that because the people who spend every day together in that circle would know better. From what I’ve observed, there are people who genuinely try to pull others down and compete in unhealthy ways. At the same time, I’ve also met some incredibly supportive and kind people. Ultimately, it depends on the relationships you build and the people you surround yourself with,” he explained.
Discussing whether reality television can lead to a long-lasting career, Baseer said success depends entirely on the choices an individual makes after the show. “Absolutely, but it depends entirely on you. Your career depends on the decisions you make, the projects you choose, how you plan your journey, and how consistently you work,” he said.
Using Priyank Sharma as an example, Baseer reflected on how careers can evolve differently despite starting from similar backgrounds. “When we began Roadies, I had around 8,000 followers, while Priyank had only around 800. By the end of Splitsvilla, I had crossed 800,000 followers because I won the season. Today, even in 2026, I still haven’t crossed three million followers, while Priyank achieved over three million back in 2017 itself.”
He credited Priyank’s success to making the right career moves. “He worked on hugely successful music videos with Badshah and Aastha Gill. Those songs became massive hits and reached an entirely different audience. Today he’s doing different kinds of work and has created his own space. So your success isn’t decided by one reality show. You can build an entire career from one opportunity, or you can disappear immediately after it ends. It all depends on how you carry yourself.”
When asked to name the fakest television personality he had met, Baseer refused to single anyone out. “Honestly, I’ve met only a limited number of television personalities, and almost all of them have been genuinely nice to me. I’ve heard stories about people behaving badly or having huge egos, but personally I’ve never experienced that. I’m trying hard to think of someone, but I genuinely can’t remember anyone who made me feel uncomfortable. If a name comes to mind later, I promise I’ll answer it,” he said.
Towards the end of the conversation, Mohammed Nagaman Lateef asked what people misunderstand most about fame. Baseer responded with a thoughtful perspective on social media popularity. “I’ve always believed that fame is one of the most deceptive things in today’s world. Imagine I take out my phone and proudly say I have 2.5 million followers. It sounds impressive. But if tomorrow I don’t have enough money in my pocket to buy something as simple as dal and rice, those 2.5 million followers won’t feed me.”
He concluded by saying, “Followers don’t pay your household expenses. They give you the illusion that you have everything, but in reality you don’t actually possess anything tangible. If the internet disappeared tomorrow, millions of followers would become meaningless overnight. That’s why I never depend on fame alone.”
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