A match made on Indian TV

Sponsors are scrambling to be involved with Dixit's show

(CNN) -- Reality television is making it big in India, particularly when the theme is finding the perfect partner.

In typical Indian style it is arranged marriages that are being showcased, with "There's someone somewhere for you" proving to be the big hit.

Not only is it drawing huge ratings, but the show is also steering clear of some of the controversies that have dogged similar reality TV programs in the United States.

Playing marriage broker on "There's something" is India's answer to Julia Roberts, Madhuri Dixit -- a veteran of more than 50 films, and one of India's highest paid actresses.

Four times a week, for an hour at a stretch, Dixit gives millions of viewers a ringside seat into what is usually a very private affair.

Besides television, there are other ways of fixing arranged marriages in India like finding a marriage broker or surfing wedding Web sites.

CNN NewsPass VIDEO The India version of a reality show follows the process of arranged marriages. CNN's Satinder Bindra has a look. (August 16) Play video

Every year, its estimated ten million Indian couples tie the knot. Impressive too, is the divorce rate at a relatively low figure of 5 percent.

Despite arranged marriages meaning that no dating takes place, "There's someone" has become compulsive viewing.

And given its status as both tradition and now a burgeoning industry, sponsors are lining up on Dixit's show to give participants exquisite gifts.

Love swing

So how does it work?

The show's producers invite a woman, and then three guys whose resumes and pictures Dixit has already seen, on to their amazingly lush set. All of the candidates have taken medical tests before qualifying for the show.

Dixit breaks the ice with a prospective couple

Then the host takes over ensuring the couple -- and their entire families -- get to know each other better, including a moment on the show's love swing.

"I in no way influence the girl or the boy to make the decision. It has to be totally theirs. And the family has to decide totally on their own," Dixit says.

"But of course sometimes you get excited, and we are behind the scenes and we're 'Oh my goodness, I think she likes him.'''

Dixit is aware some U.S. marriage-based reality TV shows have been controversial.

But having had an arranged marriage herself, she realizes the screening process has to be rigorous.

Marital bliss

The stories of 11 women have been told so far, and one of the first selected for the show was 26-year-old badminton champion -- Meenakshi Wagh.

Meenakshi says she agreed to select her guy on television, because it gave her control in a society where she says it is more often the men who check out the women and sometimes reject them at whim

"I chose this way to get married because here I will be the most important person and the decision will be my own decision," she says

One of the men on the show with Meenakshi, was table tennis champion Vinod Deshpande.

Vinod and Meenakshi tied the knot after their appearance

In an intimate setting and watched by millions of conservative Indians, the tough questions flow, like, "Have you been in love before?"

After meeting Vinod both on and off set, the couple shocked viewers and host alike by saying "Yes" -- sending their families into raptures.

"I don't know what happened when the lights went on I said 'Yes,'" Vinod says with a huge grin on his face.

A few weeks later, Vinod and Meenakshi tied the knot in a traditional Indian ceremony.

"I am very happy, life is very cool. My in-laws are very understanding," Meenakshi says.

Both Vinod and Meenakshi say there's no question their arranged marriage was pre-arranged for ratings.

All they care about is they've found bliss in a marriage not made in heaven, but on television.