An evening with Sajid

Sajid Khan, who had the viewers in splits with his inimitable gags at Star Screen awards last year, promises that this time the show will leave the audience wanting for more... You seem to be an expert at anchoring award shows.
Frankly, I host all the shows that involve the Moranis. They are my favourites. They have this strong belief that even if things go wrong, I will rectify them. That's how I am anchoring Star Screen awards, Sansui and the Zee awards. This will be my second year with Screen and I am looking forward to it. Off the three awards, I think Screen has a good platform. It is the only award that is jury-based. They may not be effective everytime but right or wrong I like the jury system. With so many award shows happening, how can you make it distinctive?
Every award show has it own individuality. It has a distinct format which one has to follow. An anchor is the most important part of an award show. He is like a necklace who strings all the beads, individual acts and ceremonies together. If the anchor is not happening, the event falls flat. At the same time, one has to remember that the show is not about the anchor but the anchor is about the show. The statuette is the most important thing and the show revolves around that. As an anchor, what is your contribution?
My job involves interacting with the 20-25000 non-filmi live audience, the film fraternity and millions of TV viewers. Ultimately, it's a TV show, and we have to entertain everyone keeping the virtues and values intact. The jokes have to be current, related to film personalities and ones which will not hurt their sensibilities. I try my level best to entertain within the boundaries. What is Sajid Khan's USP?
My brand of humour is edgy. I say things which nobody has the guts to say and in such a way that people want to hear. Also, I don't work on a bound script. My anchoring is unscripted, unprepared. If I crack a joke and it fails, it's important that I instantly do come up with something different next time. This has to be spontaneous. Actually, anchoring is like being in a boxing ring with a boxer who has never boxed. You don't know which punches will work.

There was a time when your comments hurt the film fraternity. How did you tide over it?
I know what you are talking about. When I look back on the show Kehne Mein Kya Harz Hai in which I took potshots at films and actors, I realise that it was my youth, my josh which got me carried away. I was just 25 and my intention was purely to make people laugh. It worked, the show was extremely popular. But now, I am aware of the efforts an actor or a director puts in while making a film. I no longer make harsh or erratic comments.

Do you think your experience as a stand-up comic is helping you while anchoring?
Actually, they are all different branches of the same tree. Compering or anchoring come under the umbrella of stand-up comedy. There are times when you don't have to be funny but are equally effective. I have sensitively compered shows about HIV, AIDS and Cancer. In one of the recent episodes of Super Sale, the guy who won the Mercedez wanted to use the money for his son suffering from Thallesimia. In that episode, I was not funny at all but it was highly appreciated.

When Super Sale was launched, you said it has all the elements of KBC...
And it is rocking today. Even now, tens of lakhs of people are calling for an entry into the show.

Last year's Star Screen award was memorable and it had the highest TRPS among entertainment shows? What are your expectations this year?
I promise it will only be better with fresh, new touches. This year the laughter champions are performing and Dia Mirza is bringing in glamour. It will be a good package with me opening and closing the show. Last year, the last 20 minutes of the show were akin to Virender Sehwag hitting sixers. This year too something interesting and funny is lined up. The show will go like a bullet and people will be left wanting for more!