The year Bolly came to Telly - An article

Here is the list of 2008's top 5 hosts.

5: Shilpa Shetty: Her ex-lover also makes this list, but Shilpa Shetty is No 5 on our countdown because her career is in decline. She has no Bollywood work but became globally famous for being attacked in, and then winning, Big Brother's celebrity version. So it was only natural that at some point she would be associated with the show in India and in 2008 she did not quite enter Bigg Boss house but played a sort of host. It was not a bad start to her TV career. And now if she admits to herself what everyone already knows, that her Bollywood days are behind her as middle-age approaches, she could well make a small screen career.

4: Urmila Matondkar: It's the attack of the Aunty brigade! After Shilpa, another ageing actress to come to TV was Urmila Matondkar, who debuted with a show called Waar Parivar. Alas, the show was a flop and few remember it or her. This was a shame because she showed some genuine singing talent in the show. We think she might still have a future on TV and that's why she's on our list at No 4.

3: Shah Rukh Khan: SRK is a TV veteran now, having hosted Kaun Banega Crorepati successfully and then migrating the slot to a new show, Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain? SRK is the king with the common touch so his show's are always relaxed and laid back. The crowd of course goes berserk on seeing Bollywood's biggest star in the flesh and that adds to his appeal.

2: Salman Khan: Sallu finally took the plunge on TV and his show, Dus Ka Dum, was amazing for its unpredictability, echoing the personality of its famously mercurial star. Salman had all sorts of characters on the show who behaved in the most outrageous manner and it was all good entertainment. Whether he will return for season II or not is uncertain, but he made his mark.

1: Akshay Kumar: This was the year that Akki pulled himself up by his magnificent muscles and put himself in the top league with the Khans. In 2008, he ended the SRK-Salman-Aamir monopoly and there is every indication that he will surpass them in 2009. In 08, he produced the sensational Khatron Ke Khiladi with 13 hotties performing stunts for him. The show was a hit and so was Akki, the number 1 TV star of 2008.