If there's one element missing in this reality show, it's that of reality.

Despite Madhuri's and the director's best intentions and genuine effort, nothing can evoke spontaneous smiles or authentic reactions from the participating families. Through the second, third and fourth episodes of 'Kahin naa Kahin koi hai's first week, the girl's parents squirmed, grinned and nodded as and when prodded by Madhuri, but the show failed to capture the essence of the tension, apprehension and elation that any Indian family would go through during the process of selecting a bridegroom.

The only real moment in the four days came when the girl - Minakshi's - mother wiped a tear from her eye after the couple declared they were indeed going to tie the knot. Madhuri's best efforts to build up suspense and excitement about the prospective groom during the first half of the fourth episode fell flat thanks to the dull, camera unfriendly responses of Minakshi's family who obviously knew the outcome and could not match the star's histrionics. One wonders if Madhuri will be able to sustain her bouncing energy levels and capacity for similar small talk that will pepper her encounters with the families yet to come on the show.

The authentic touch came when Chetan, one of the contenders who did not make it down the aisle with Minakshi, spoke about his feelings and his good wishes for the couple at the end of the show. But the impromptu dances that both families broke into once the decision had been taken, seemed a trifle far fetched. Middle class Maharastrian families don't break into a dance after they have formalized an arranged marriage, even for the sake of a show. The natural touch was lost. The show's creators would have done well to leave the two families alone and captured some honest reactions, like that of Minakshi's mother.

And although the first case itself turned out to be one where the girl's search for Mr Right did end in matrimony, one could not help but wonder if it was not the first to be filmed. Madhuri, during one of her asides to the camera, asked "Minakshi haan kahegi ya naa? Mujhe har baar is tension se kyun gujarna padta hai?" (Will she say yes or no? Why do I have to go through this tension every time?)

The sets, Madhuri's exuberance, the catchy theme song and the novel concept - all these may get the show viewers for some time. But unless a reality show behaves like one, it cannot sustain interest. There can be only one message here for K3H - Get real.