SRK takes on Big B

ON THE HOT SEAT: Shah Rukh Khan on the sets of KBC.

Shah Rukh Khan is in his element as host of Kaun Banega Crorepati. As the second week of the show ends, SRK has gained on the popularity meter. He tells our correspondent Pratiksha Menon how he does it different from his predecessor Amitabh Bachchan.

PM: So tell me how you feel being in the hot seat today?

SRK: I am alright, actually, I am used to being asked a lot of questions. Everybody questions me for everything, it's part of my job now. For 17 years, I do a good film, I am questioned, I do a bad film, I am questioned. I do the right thing, I am questioned, I do the wrong thing, and I am questioned.

PM: Were you worried that at some point, you will be too much of yourself and you'll have to be restrained?

SRK: I am restrained by Siddharth (Basu) because I am demented. I wanted to do my first walk on my hands -- it's a great mix of having dementia from my side and having a good control from producer and director's side.

PM: Mr Bachchan was more elegant and charismatic whereas with you it looks like you're personally involved with the participant.

SRK: It's not that, I think he's does his age, I do my age. I mean there has to be a difference, there is a lot of difference in our ages...I mean, I am not saying he's old...but I am young.

PM: Was the KBC music video a conscious effort to project your cool, hip look?

SRK: I am cool, hip, sexy, wonderful and handsome so, we don't want any discussion on that.

PM: I read a recent article where Mr. Bachchan said he will keep doing better stuff so that Shahrukh can keep imitating him. What's your take on that?

SRK: I wouldn't know. I have never imitated anyone. I think, I have individually been quite good at what I do and I am very different and maybe that's why people accepted me. So, I don't intend imitating anyone but I can do a lot of mimicry -- I can do his voice, but the idea is not to imitate. I don't think he meant it like that. The idea was that he'll do inspiring work so youngsters inspire to be like him and that's a good thing if some youngsters do get inspired. As far as I am concerned, I just do what I feel like doing and the way I feel happy doing it and there's a Sher my friend has said, I don't know if you have a lot of Hindi viewers or not, but it goes... "Kehdo meero galib se hum bhi sher kehte hain, woh tumhari sadi thi, yeh hamari sadi hai"