We watched the first two episodes of India’s first fitness adventure reality show India’s Asli Champion…Hai Dum.

The episodes, in the content miasma, do manage to hold your attention, thanks to some sleek direction, non tremulous cinematography and brevity laden editing.

The genre is archaic, but the flavour is novel.

The idea of fitness as the core thread, with contestants smartly picked, from being fit to underdog semi fits, the show promises to be an adrenaline adventure with dollops of emotional drama with equations oscillating with each passing episode.

The tasks aptly test the physical prowess of the contestants and up the level of excitement of audience. It does bring variety from what has been shown on TV till date.

Having said that, the show’s true champion is host Suniel Shetty.

Sunil, though a little wobbly at times, comes into his own and adds exuberance to oomph. His awe-inspiring personality and genuine involvement and interaction with the contestants lend certain uniqueness to the effort.

Fitness and Suniel make for a perfect alliance and he as the host is apt to the T.

It’s endearing to watch Sunil motivate and inspire the younger lot in his own inimitable style. His Shiva entry gives you goosebumps and makes small screen look large.

The coming episodes will define the success and content credibility of the show. We hope the makers up the ante, deliver the best and push the envelope.

The initial programming, though not overtly laudable, does deserve a pat on the back for its ‘engaging’ quotient.

The character of ‘Chaukanna’ is force fed comic relief and is an aberration (read: blot) on the otherwise gripping scheme of things.

Suniel and his camaraderie with the contestants, coupled by innovative tasks, could eventually make the show ‘champion’ of reality format. For that, the cast & crew (Coloscuem Media Pvt. Ltd) will have to sweat it out. Hai dum?