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INTERVIEW: 'I Just Hope I'm Shahrukh Khan. No One Else.'
INTERVIEW
'I Just Hope I'm Shahrukh Khan. No One Else.'
Soon after his debut, Shahrukh Khan spoke about the inevitable comparisons with the Big B and how he loves KBC because he gets to wear good suits and comb his hair. Excerpts:
Namrata Joshi interviews Shahrukh Khan
How do you feel about the audience response to the show?
My work is to entertain, and people are telling me that the show is entertaining, so I guess I've achieved what I wanted to. If I've been able to make you smile once in that one hour, my job is done. As India's top entertainer, I've generated curiosity for the show. The opening has been good. I hope the follow-up will be as nice.
How well do you think you have accomplished the challenge?
Every job is an accomplishment. Only here the stakes were higher. It was a big challenge not just because of Mr Bachchan but because it's anyhow a big programme. It's like a big movie. And people I'm working with are happy with what we have achieved so far.
Did it bother you that not many people were willing to give you a chance against Mr Bachchan? Do the comparisons trouble you?
If I say I don't give a damn about such opinions, I'd come across as pompous. If I say I care, I'd come across as bogged down. All I'll say is, I just do my job as a creative person. Every day when I wake up, I just hope I am Shahrukh Khan; no one else. I don't want to be less or more than anyone else. I don't want to be fatter, shorter, darker, thinner, better than someone else. I just want to be the best at who I am and what I do. I am not stressed or saddened by comparisons. The world has not been unfair to me. There are many who dislike me. But thankfully those who like me outnumber those who don't. What's important is, they talk about me. They react, so I do matter.
Are our viewers resistant to change?
That's not true. Otherwise they wouldn't have accepted me all those years ago as the bad guy hero. People of a certain era may hold on to things but there's a whole new generation too.
What drove you to do the show?
I get my pay packet as an actor so that wasn't the only issue, though I wouldn't have done it if the money wasn't good. It's the topmost show—classy, has great minds working on it. Most of all, I enjoy meeting people. But I'm seldom able to do so because I'm stuck in the studio. I've been dealing with fans on stage on a one-on-one basis in live shows. I wanted to carry that forward. I also get to wear good suits and comb my hair!
How have your wife and children reacted to you on KBC?
The kids are loving it. They're wondering how my hair is so well-groomed. Their teacher has given me an A Grade for the show so they're happy. And they can't believe I could have sung the English rap for the music video. Gauri likes it. She's happy that my humour has remained in control, not become offensive as it can get.
How did you manage to bring your touch within the fixed format?
The show has been a big success the world over without celebrity hosts, so there must be something to it. There are rules but I've brought my own personality to the show, stretched it a bit. I've tried to bring in a relaxed, happy-go-lucky air. I'm trying out funny, impromptu ways of going into the break. I will introduce new elements every 10 episodes. Maybe one day I'll be able to host the show in a T-Shirt and jeans.
Is the cheeky sense of humour deliberate on your part?
I believe in times of trouble one thing that can help you is your sense of humour. The new generation in India has developed a sense of humour, we have begun laughing at ourselves and are enjoying that. However, the idea is not to be mean or deride anyone.
Is what we are seeing on TV really you or you as a performer?
In the last 17 years, I've developed a camera persona. But this is the most real you can find me when the camera is on.I do hug people and give flying kisses to kids. Much as you would like to imagine, I'm not materialistic, I do give gifts to people (referring to the episode where he gave away his watch to a losing contestant).
Would CEO Sameer Nair's exit from Star affect the show?
We're very fond of each other. Frankly, I don't know what he's planning. I've told him to stick around till I finish shooting in March. I hope he is around.
Has the Big B reacted to the show?
No, not as yet. It'll be nice if he tells me that I haven't let him down. Maybe one day he'll tell me 'dude you are not doing too badly at what I started'. He is too kind and gracious a gentleman.
http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp...rorepati&sid=2
'I Just Hope I'm Shahrukh Khan. No One Else.'
Soon after his debut, Shahrukh Khan spoke about the inevitable comparisons with the Big B and how he loves KBC because he gets to wear good suits and comb his hair. Excerpts:
Namrata Joshi interviews Shahrukh Khan
How do you feel about the audience response to the show?
My work is to entertain, and people are telling me that the show is entertaining, so I guess I've achieved what I wanted to. If I've been able to make you smile once in that one hour, my job is done. As India's top entertainer, I've generated curiosity for the show. The opening has been good. I hope the follow-up will be as nice.
How well do you think you have accomplished the challenge?
Every job is an accomplishment. Only here the stakes were higher. It was a big challenge not just because of Mr Bachchan but because it's anyhow a big programme. It's like a big movie. And people I'm working with are happy with what we have achieved so far.
Did it bother you that not many people were willing to give you a chance against Mr Bachchan? Do the comparisons trouble you?
If I say I don't give a damn about such opinions, I'd come across as pompous. If I say I care, I'd come across as bogged down. All I'll say is, I just do my job as a creative person. Every day when I wake up, I just hope I am Shahrukh Khan; no one else. I don't want to be less or more than anyone else. I don't want to be fatter, shorter, darker, thinner, better than someone else. I just want to be the best at who I am and what I do. I am not stressed or saddened by comparisons. The world has not been unfair to me. There are many who dislike me. But thankfully those who like me outnumber those who don't. What's important is, they talk about me. They react, so I do matter.
Are our viewers resistant to change?
That's not true. Otherwise they wouldn't have accepted me all those years ago as the bad guy hero. People of a certain era may hold on to things but there's a whole new generation too.
What drove you to do the show?
I get my pay packet as an actor so that wasn't the only issue, though I wouldn't have done it if the money wasn't good. It's the topmost show—classy, has great minds working on it. Most of all, I enjoy meeting people. But I'm seldom able to do so because I'm stuck in the studio. I've been dealing with fans on stage on a one-on-one basis in live shows. I wanted to carry that forward. I also get to wear good suits and comb my hair!
How have your wife and children reacted to you on KBC?
The kids are loving it. They're wondering how my hair is so well-groomed. Their teacher has given me an A Grade for the show so they're happy. And they can't believe I could have sung the English rap for the music video. Gauri likes it. She's happy that my humour has remained in control, not become offensive as it can get.
How did you manage to bring your touch within the fixed format?
The show has been a big success the world over without celebrity hosts, so there must be something to it. There are rules but I've brought my own personality to the show, stretched it a bit. I've tried to bring in a relaxed, happy-go-lucky air. I'm trying out funny, impromptu ways of going into the break. I will introduce new elements every 10 episodes. Maybe one day I'll be able to host the show in a T-Shirt and jeans.
Is the cheeky sense of humour deliberate on your part?
I believe in times of trouble one thing that can help you is your sense of humour. The new generation in India has developed a sense of humour, we have begun laughing at ourselves and are enjoying that. However, the idea is not to be mean or deride anyone.
Is what we are seeing on TV really you or you as a performer?
In the last 17 years, I've developed a camera persona. But this is the most real you can find me when the camera is on.I do hug people and give flying kisses to kids. Much as you would like to imagine, I'm not materialistic, I do give gifts to people (referring to the episode where he gave away his watch to a losing contestant).
Would CEO Sameer Nair's exit from Star affect the show?
We're very fond of each other. Frankly, I don't know what he's planning. I've told him to stick around till I finish shooting in March. I hope he is around.
Has the Big B reacted to the show?
No, not as yet. It'll be nice if he tells me that I haven't let him down. Maybe one day he'll tell me 'dude you are not doing too badly at what I started'. He is too kind and gracious a gentleman.
http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp...rorepati&sid=2
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