Santa Banta to come alive By: Chaitanya Padukone June 21, 2006
Sidhartha Kannan and Baba Saigal
Good news for those who are hooked on to the imaginary Santa-Banta jodi, — notorious for their funny one-liners and jokes. The funny duo will come alive on the telly-screens early next month.
Radio-jockey Sidhartha Kannan will make his telly debut as Santa, while his partner-in-crime will be seasoned rapper and TV host Baba Saigal (note the changed surname spelling), who will essay the role of Banta in this humour segment called Santa Banta Unlimited.
Humour ka flavour
With humour being the flavour of the season on telly-screens it is not surprising that this stand-up comedy show would be aired early next month. Sunil Sajhwani of BPL Oye fame will be directing it.
The show was originally planned for radio. Says Siddhartha, "This whole show is accidental. For Baba and me, an idle mind is a devil's creative workshop.
Whilst waiting for a client at our recording studio we were jamming extempore and we sent a scratch audio recording of our conver-session to Sajhwani to seek his feedback. After hearing the nonsensical rap, he called us to the studio and asked us to do an action-replay.
Without our knowledge, they shot us live. The next thing we knew was that a TV show was born," guffaws the RJ.
First time host
Unlike Kanan, for Baba this isn't the first time on the small screen. He has compered over a dozen shows over the years. "But this is the first time I will be hosting a show," says the rapper-turned-actor.
Considering the challenge and leverage of rival stand-up comedy shows, why would audiences want to see Santa Banta? "That's because the content is highly unpredictable with the repertoire that includes a non-stop mazaak marathon interspersed with guest celebs remote-controlling us, faltu film reviews, party prying, Bollywood gupshup and the right doses of Indian and foreign oomph elements," chuckles Kannan.
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Tum Se Tum Tak
Financial markets and global economy
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai
Bollywood
Sports
