'My show is a tribute to Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi' - SRK

Shahrukh Khan who started his journey from television has now ventured into television production under the banner of Red Chillies Idiot Box. ‘Ghar Ki Baat Hai’ is a sitcom which will go on air on NDTV Imagine from 30th January and marks the television debut of actress Juhi Babbar, Raj Babber's daughter.

Here is King Khan talking about his first stint as producer on television!!

Why did you choose to venture into television?
I got an opportunity and with NDTV Imagine giving us a chance to portray our creativity, I thought this is the right time to expand our avenues. The channel is also willing to put money on us so why not go ahead? (grins).

So why a show like Ghar Ki Baat Hai?
It was just that we wanted to bring some cinematic value on television.

Is Ghar Ki Baat Hai similar to Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi?
I would say its bit different as we have not copied anything from there, nor I could say that it’s a remake. I would rather state that this show is a tribute to one of my favorite shows Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi.

Why a sitcom comedy to enter television as Producer? What was the reason for such a title?
I like comedy and thus I thought of this genre. Talking about the title of the show, the storyline focuses on the day-to-day life of a family and the situations in their lives. It is a drama with a pinch of humor too.

Does this show also essay some of your Ghar Ki Baat?
I would say that it essays the story of each and every house. Yes, there is a bit of my Ghar Ki Baat too especially when it comes to kids. There is a small boy in our show who is more or less the age of my kids. The naughtiness of the boy reminds me of my kids (smiles).

Will you also be seen in a special appearance in the show?
Well there are special appearances from television and from fraternities of Bollywood. If the scripts demands and Samir too wants me to do a cameo, I will go for it (laughs).

What is the reason behind coining your production house as Red Chillies Idiot Box? Isn’t the word commonly used as a slang?
What’s so wrong about it, as Idiot box is an old term that has been used for television in many foreign countries? I don’t think its slang. With that there is a punch line which justifies that ‘We think out of the box’. It’s just a terminology and nothing else.

Which kind of shows do you like to watch on television?
I like comedy and game shows on TV. 24 is my favorite foreign show. I also like action based shows. I would like to make shows where the youth of today can relate to the story line. In reality shows I just like Question and Answer kinds.

Will you be doing a reality show for Imagine too?
Well for now I’m bound by a contract with Star Plus for Paachvi Paas and Crorepati; so for now I really can't do any other reality show for any other channel. But after the contract ends, and if Samir would like to give me a chance, I would definitely do a reality show for them.

Reporter and Author: Rachana Trivedi