By Suniti Singh

Indian television is launching a reality show which will arrange marriages for potential brides.

Kahin naa Kahin koi hai takes viewers through the entire journey as the bride meets prospective grooms and their families, gets to know them and selects a spouse.

It is a show about real people and their dreams

Kunal Dasgupta, Sony CEO

"We will be able to deliver a winner show because we have a unique concept," said Sony Entertainment Television's chief executive Kunal Dasgupta.

Beginning 29 July, the show will be hosted by veteran film actress Madhuri Dixit.

Dixit's recent transformation from a glamorous film star to a devoted wife has made her a role model for many young Indian women.

She said what attracted her to the show is that it is not a soap opera or a game show.

"It is a show about real people and their dreams" she said.

Match-making

The programme will have no pre-written dialogue.

The potential bride's family will be asked to give a wish-list which will be matched with a huge data bank of prospective grooms, built up over two years.

Dixit is a role model to many young women

The bride will then meet her suitors on the show and eliminate them one by one.

Each match will take about four episodes, and will end with the young woman announcing her choice.

Though the actual wedding will not take place on television, the couple will exchange rings and garlands in the studio.

Sony has already filmed 11 brides choosing their grooms. It is prepared to film more if the programmes prove popular.

"We will wait to see public reaction," Mr Dasgupta said.

Reality shows

Indian television has often followed in the footsteps of the West.

After big-money game shows like Kaun Banega Crorepati - the Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire - many wondered what would be next.

Some believe reality shows will captivate Indian audiences.

Most Indians prefer weddings to be traditional

"Reality is voyeurism, and it thrives on going into very private aspects of a personal life. The West thrived on such themes," Dasgupta said.

Others believe that the Indian audience are fundamentally different and the concept will fail.

"Indians are basically very shy," says Indu Mirani the associate editor of film magazine, Box Office.

"They do not appreciate intrusion in their personal lives."

While the debate continues, it is ultimately the viewers who will decide whether or not the marriage show succeeds.