Titan Antakshari Articles -- NO COMMENTS - Page 3

I will turn 'Antakshari' around

In the beginning it is very difficult to speak to Karan Oberoi, the brand new anchor of Zee TV's Antakshari better known as chweet chweet beau of Mona Singh aka Jassi. But once you crack through him, he never stops going gaga on his qualities and principles. One 'lucky' reporter finally managed to get through him on a beautiful morning. After repeated calls on his cell which was diverted to a certain girl's cell, the actor calls up the reporter in the morning for the much awaited interview. Well the experience can be too long for this snippet. To cut a long story short, Karan feels very charismatic about himself. When asked how he landed the anchor's role of Antakshari he says, "The channel was considering my name for it and asked a few videos of my live shows which are very popular among the youth." Seems he has counted the public after he informs they come up in huge numbers like 50 thousand. So, after watching Karan's lively video what was the state of Zee creative people? "They were too impressed with my connectivity with the audience and the energy I pump in them throughout my performance with the band." When the journo tried to sum up the conversation and asked if Zee people were bowled over by his charisma on stage he confidently states, 'Exactly, this is it means!' So what exactly he plans to do with his charisma in Antakshari? Karan said, "I have asked them to give me full liberty and I am confident 'main pure show ko ghuma doonga." Now, please will someone tell us in which angle he is planning to flip Antakshari? Will Sunil Paal be the right person to speak to! - (SAMPURN)

http://www.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=14207

Its fun working with Himani, says Karan

What made you take up this offer to anchor 'Antakhshari'?
Well the biggest reason was my love for music and of course a big brand like Zee associated with it. And I would also like to say that I am not anchoring the show, I am playing Antakshari. It's no more a formatted show. We will be doing full masti and I want to create a carnival atmosphere here. Simply, no rules this time.

You had also anchored a similar show on Star Plus. How was that?
Yes you are right. It was 'Hai Na Bolo Bolo' on Star Plus. But I was also shooting for a film of mine, due to which I was unable to do full justice with this show. Also as it was having a fixed format there was no liberty for my creative abilities. I was new at that time. As an anchor sans experience made things difficult for me too. Finally, I had to leave the show.

Then will it be a challenge now in 'Antakshari'?
In a way yes as it will be for such a big and popular television channel. The show also enjoys a huge popularity among the audience. But I will be putting all my efforts in it. In fact I have told the channel to give me the liberty to perform and have assured them of changing the whole look of the show. During my first show in Star ('Hai Na Bolo Bolo') I was inexperienced but after that I have performed in hundreds of live shows with my band. I have handled my live shows successfully in front of an audience of fifty thousand. My experience has enhanced my confidence level a lot.

How is Band of boys doing...any updates? Haven't heard about it lately?
I agree that's a mistake on my part. We aren't media conscious at all. That is why people think we are doing nothing or we don't exist anymore. As I told you we have been doing live shows regularly everywhere in India and almost in all the college campuses. Would you believe my band's first music album 'Meri Nind Ud Gaye' has sold 4.5 lakh copies in India? It's just impossible for any band like us.

You were supposed to release your first private album this month.
Yes, It will coming in the next 2-3 months but I don't know the exact date. Preparations are on.

Do you also have your production house?
Yes. It is called 'Artistic'. We are working on two projects simultaneously. One is for a film and the other is for a TV show. I have told my partners that we are not in a hurry. The first venture will only come out after it gets my full creative approval.

How will describe your relationship with Mona Singh? How do you deal with those rumours?
(Laughs) I don't want to describe it. When it comes to discussing my personal life I shy away. It's my life so I want to keep it personal. As far as rumours are concerned I don't give any importance to them. It doesn't stop my life either. Sometimes my friends call me up to inform about the stories that come in newspapers. I read them and forget. After all, life has to move on.

You didn't take up any other serials after Jassi. Are you less interested in acting?
Whatever I do, creative satisfaction is very important for me. I don't want to do anything that is mediocre. It shouldn't make me feel naukri type. I simply hate that. If you see my resume you will find five shows in ten years, but all quality work.

Have you met Himani? What's your opinion about her?
Oh, she is superb. She is so young and charming. Hardly 18 years of age and always trying to make me comfortable every time from day one of shoot. It's really fun working with her.

Are you aware of the differences that happened between Sunil Pal and the channel? He has alleged of humiliation. What will you do if same happens with you?
Sorry, have no clues about the differences. And it doesn't matter to me whatever his allegations are. It's better to speak to the channel itself for a better answer on this. Secondly I would never want to comment on speculations.

What are you expectations from 'Antakshari'? Where do you see yourself after 10 episodes?
I just believe in putting my all efforts and rest is in God's hand. I will go wherever destiny takes me.

http://entertainment.oneindia.in/television/top-stories/spec ials/karan-oberoi-100407.html

Big B on small screen

The man's got charm, no doubt. Every time Amitabh Bachchan appears on TV, it's enough to make even a bland show charming. Last weekend, the Big B turned up on Zee's Antakshari for a noble cause - to cheer visually challenged children who were the day's participants. He sang for them, read the letters they had penned for him and in general, bonded so well as a doting grandpa would that you wished they could have done away with the regular hosts altogether!

http://www.indiantelevision.com/special/boxpopuli/y2k7/apr/b oxpopuli14.php

Karan's a kid

Stuff Happens! Karan Oberoi

After replacing Sunil Pal in Zee's Antakshari, Karan Oberoi has adopted a new strategy for the show.

We're told that the anchor loves having fun with kids on the set, so much so that the production guys are getting mighty annoyed with him!

A source reveals, "Karan spends too much time laughing and joking with the kids.

In fact, there are times when he gets carried away and we have to remind him that it's a shoot and not a picnic!"

When asked about this allegation, Karan replies, "Yes, I agree that I have a lot of fun with the kids, but that's how I work.

I don't believe in scripted lines.

In fact, most of the things I do are impromptu and not rehearsed!"

We're not going to argue with that.

http://www.mid-day.com/hitlist/2007/april/155594.htm

'Mona and I are getting married'

Karan Oberoi says next year ke liye baat pakki hai!

By: Subhash K Jha

thoda aur intezaar: Mona Singh and Karan Oberoi

After Aishwarya Rai, TV's own dream girl, Mona 'Jassi' Singh, will be the next bride-in-waiting from our rapidly relationship-friendly industry. Though Mona remains characteristically coy about expressing her love for Karan Oberoi (Band of Boys and co-anchor of Zee's Antakshari), he is gallant enough to stand by his ladylove through her career and other individual impulses.
Says Karan, "We haven't finalised a date yet, but yes, our wedding is definitely on next year. I leave it entirely to Mona. She has Bollywood aspirations, I don't. For me, music is everything. Even if Band of Boys is reduced to just one boy, I'll continue to sing."
Family ties
The reason Mona has been quiet about her relationship with Karan is because her parents had issues with their friendship. However, they bonded big-time with Karan while shooting for Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin in Malaysia. "That's when Mona's parents realised I'm not a bad sort of guy. Mona and I are so alike, as are our families. Both of us have army backgrounds, but what really bonds us is our small-town roots. We haven't forgotten where we've come from," he says.
The couple first met while shooting for Jassi… in Mauritius. "After that, we sort of drifted apart, only to be brought together again in the show. Thank god for Jassi…! But yes, celebrity relationships are endangered by excessive attention."
Which explains Mona's reluctance to wax eloquent about her man. Says Karan, "People in the entertainment business lead 'fish bowl' lives. But I guess we've learnt to cope with all the attention. Patience and mutual understanding always helps."
Stand by me
Will Mona continue to work after marriage? "What she should or shouldn't do after marriage is not for me to decide. What she does with her life beyond her relationship with me is entirely her prerogative and I will stand by her."
Karan isn't doing any serials at the moment. "I decided to anchor Antakshari because I love music and Zee allowed me to host it my way. I love kids and interacting with them. Besides, we have a very enthusiastic team that doesn't think the way the home medium has been lobotomised into thinking," he says frankly.
As for his tenure with the Band of Boys, Karan says he has just shot another music video with them. "We should be out with another album soon. In the meanwhile, I'm doing a whole lot of shows."

Himani and Karan?

Allegedly, the 'Titan Antakshari' anchors are enjoying a growing proximity dd It's pure, unadulterated friendship —Himani

Reshma S Kulkarni

APPARENTLY, the edgy atmosphere on the sets of 'Titan Antakshari' (Zee) has become a thing of the past, after actor-cum-singer Karan Oberoi stepped into the shoes of former host Sunil Pal.

Reportedly, Sunil had voiced his displeasure about Himani in no uncertain terms. But now, the new anchor-jodi of Karan and Himani seem to be getting along like a house on fire. Sources also reveal that the twosome spends much time chatting in their makeup rooms. What's more, Himani, who allegedly tried to steal the show from Sunil, is more than happy to let Karan do his bit for the camera. Himani clarifies the insinuations surrounding her saying, "To begin with, I never had a problem with Sunilji. He was a fantastic performer and we both had our strengths. We did not really need to steal the show from each other." She continues, "But I was taken aback by all those statements he made about me to the press. I do know that he was having a tough time adjusting his schedules due to which, he'd be pretty irritated on the sets. It might have been those irritations that he chose to vent out on me, but with no hard feelings. I respect him as a performer and as a co-anchor." Coming to her present cohost Karan, Himani clarifies, "Seriously, with Karan, I have simply clicked from the word 'go'. I cannot pinpoint a particular reason for it. Initially, I was a bit nervous about how it would be with a senior person like him. He's had the experience of holding the stage due to his live performanc es. I was not sure how I'd match up to him." She adds further, "But he is such a sweetheart. He never made me feel intimidated. We sat down, discussed a strategy that'd help us both keep the audience involved and just got cracking! But there's nothing more to our relationship. It's pure, unadulterated friendship, if I may venture to call it so, at this stage." Karan too echoes the sentiment saying, "We have clicked as co-hosts. I don't know about Himani being intimidated by me. But I was a trifle nervous about how I would be received by her. There's always this resentment about having someone come in to hog the limelight." He adds candidly, "Honestly, I had expected some of this attitude from Himani after what I had read about her. But surprisingly, she was so sweet and receptive, that there were no adjustment problems whatsoever.

We have a blast with the kids together. She's an amazing singer. But there's nothing more to it, rumours notwithstanding," says Karan firmly. Incidentally, Karan is seeing actor Mona 'Jassi' Singh.