Filmstars strike hot deals as telly game

Tired of nerve-wracking saas bahu soaps? Hold on to your remotes because TV channels have turned to star-studded game shows to keep up with the TRPs. After the success of KBC 2, Sahara One is gearing up to launch Mission Ek Crore with Sanjay Dutt and Zee TV has roped in Manoj Bajpai for Kam Ya Zyaada, which was recently.

And it's not just the contestants but also the hosts who are becoming crorepatis.According to industry estimates, Dutt is charging Rs 20 to 22 lakh per episode and Bajpai has settled for Rs 5 to 7 lakh. R. Madhavan has reportedly fixed the deal for Rs 15 to 20 lakh per episode to host Deal Ya No Deal on Sony.

Says Taran Adarsh, editor, Trade Guide, "Today, TV is more lucrative than films. Apart from big money, it gives you instant recognition because of its wider reach." According to Kumar Mohan, editor, Complete Information, game shows are attracting bigger stars because it is less time consuming and ensures a fat pay cheque. "Stars don't have to wait for two years to witness the results," he says.

In the past, star-studded game shows like Jeeto Chhapar Phaad Ke with Govinda as the host, Neena Gupta's Kamzor Kadi Kaun and Sawaal Dus Crore Ka with Manisha Koirala and Anupam Kher didn't strike a chord with the audience. Whether these star hosts deserve big money or not is debatable.

Says Shekhar Suman who has been hosting DialOne Aur Jeeto, "More than the stars, TV channels that give them so much money are at fault. No star would like to believe that he won't be accepted by the audience. It's the channel's responsibility to judge the worth of a star." Adds Sajid Khan, the host of Super Sale on Star One, "It's a huge gamble for a channel to invest in these stars."

Confirms Ajay Vidyasagar, vice president, content and communication, Star India, "A movie star can't ask for a big amount if he can't increase the box office sales. Likewise, a star host doesn't deserve huge amounts of money if he can't get higher TRPs for the channel."

On the other hand, Madhavan believes that the money charged by star hosts is justified considering the amount of time and hard work they put in. "I don't think it's wrong because if you appear on one channel you can't appear on any other," he says. Purnendu Bose, COO, Sahara One feels that roping in big stars attracts advertisers. "If a show is weaved around a star, it won't work," says Bose. Agrees Kartik Chintamani, creative head, Zee Network, "A game show becomes a hit because of the interesting format. The host just complements it."

So start working on your general knowledge because you never know when your dreams of making it big may come true. And in the process you might just get a jadoo ki jhappi from the charming Dutt.

Kartik Chintamani creative head, Zee TV says, "Manoj Bajpai is known for his versatility. He's an actor who can connect with classes and masses at the same time."

"R. Madhavan fits the bill of a perfect host. He is natural in front of the camera and doesn't require any script, which is imperative for the show. He is the kind of person every Indian can identify with." says Tarun Katial, business head, Sony India.

Purnendu Bose, COO, Sahara One says, "Sanjay Dutt is a star who is close to people's hearts. Be it comedy or action, he has proven himself by playing every kind of role. But at the same time he is equally polished and down to earth."

Source: Televisionpoint