Badshah's magic will work'
Even as STAR officials are jubiliant about having struck a deal with actor Shah Rukh Khan for KBC, industry experts have unanimously welcomed the decision, ruling out the possibility of his television presence impacting his box-office persona. "It is an apt replacement for someone of the stature and persona of Amitabh Bachchan, who gave the KBC show a distinct identity," says reputed distributor, Balkrishna Shroff of Shringar Films and Cinemas, who had last released the super-hit SRK starrer, Chalte Chalte.
Shroff feels that KBC will only add to Shah Rukh's immense following both at the box-office and among television audiences. "I think it will only exalt his status further at the box-office. Also, Shah Rukh is an excellent orator and has the ability to regale the audiences," he says. Shroff rules out the possibility of SRK's extended television appearance affecting his image at the box-office.
"If over-exposure is what we are talking about, it doesn't apply to him. Shah Rukh has been very cautious about the number of films he does and has restricted them to a maximum of two releases in a year so far. That's one of the reasons the audiences are always craving for him," he says. Shroff further points out that television has come to acquire a different image today in comparison to what it was 10 years ago.
"That was the time when stars shunned television and were wary of over-exposure. Today channel heads go out of their way to rope in big stars for their shows. It is big money as well as great following," he says. Noted producer-exhibitor Manoj Desai, who's known to be a die-hard Bachchan loyalist and has been contemplating a film with the three Bachchans for sometime now, has also welcomed the decision.
"I would say that the Shahenshah of the industry has gone and made way for the Badshah, in KBC. There's a great deal of curiosity value about how aptly Shah Rukh will fit into Bachchan's shoes," he says. Desai feels that Shah Rukh's box-office rating post KBC, will be entirely decided by the success of the show. "I am sure he must have taken the decision only after viewing the pros and cons," he says.
Director Suneel Darshan, who was known to be an Akshay Kumar loyalist at one point of time and is now working with Bobby Deol, feels that Shah Rukh is currently in the numero uno position and no rule applies to him. "He's taken risks in the past and has ensured that all his decisions work excellently for him. On the contrary, it is a matter of great pride to be stepping into the shoes of the legendary Bachchan," he says.
There was a point when Darshan was faced with a difficult predicament when Karishma Kapoor, who was playing the lead heroine in one of his films, struck a deal with Sahara. Darshan avers that Karishma's was a very different case. "No doubt I was a bit anxious about the effect it would have on the prospects of my film but Karishma and SRK enjoy a different status where the box-office is concerned. He is aware of his tremendous fan- following, one of the reasons he got away with average and below-average films in the past, that proved to be a big draw at the box-office due to his sheer presence in them," he says.
Well-known trade analyst, Taran Adarsh, has the last word. "I feel it a timely step and one in the right direction on Shah Rukh's part. It will give him a platform to interact with his fans. KBC is the ideal show for Shah Rukh's wit, style and intelligence. If anything, it will only elevate his box-office status further," he reveals
source:deccan.com
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