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Big B's shoes too big for me: SRK
Piyali Dasgupta
[ 4 Dec, 2006 1842hrs ISTINDIATIMES NEWS NETWORK ]
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NEW DELHI: He wants to be "the dost and not the host", on TV. When Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) returns to Star Plus in mid-January 2007, Bollywood's badshah will be at the helm. On a nippy December Monday, SRK hosted a plethora of questions from eager Delhi scribes on why he wants to play anchor-quizmaster this time around.
KBC in its new GenNext avatar marks the return of Shah Rukh Khan on TV. Many years ago, popular television serials formed the launch pad for his meteoric film career.
There were other seconds as SRK was presented as the new KBC host. The idea of bringing Who Wants to be a Millionaire to an Indian audience was conceived of at the same deluxe hotel which was the venue for Monday's event. SRK was a celebrity participant in Bachchan's KBC and would have hit the jackpot, but for a last-minute blooper.
The dominant blue of Amitabh Bachchan's KBC set has been replaced by a vibrant red, though the logo remains the same.
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A dapper SRK, accompanied by equally dapper bodyguards, took the stage, along with the CEO of Star Entertainment India, Sameer Nair and Siddhartha Basu of Synergy Communications. KBC continues to be produced by Basu's Synergy Communications.
Announcing the launch of KBC , Sameer Nair said SRK's wit, charm, energy and style, coupled with the rock-solid foundation of the show, would come together to give audiences an incredible television viewing experience.
SRK was repeatedly asked why he chose to frequently follow Bachchan's indubitable lead. In trademark style, SRK said comparisons de-valued an actor. "Bachchan saab ka joota waise bhi mere liye kaafi bara hai, "he said eloquently.
KBC did wonders for Bachchan's career when the superstar was going through a bad patch professionally. Asked if he was vacating the Bollywood badshah's slot for Hrithik Roshan or Abhishek Bachchan, Shah Rukh said: "Without an abdication there can be no crowning of another king. Forgive me if I am sounding pompous, but I am here and I am staying."
With films and live shows, was Shah Rukh spreading himself too thin? "I have been working on three films per year for the last 17 years. Also some live shows and I have other engagements. This is a job like any other and we have worked out timelines," was the star's reply.
Announcing the launch of KBC , Sameer Nair said SRK's wit, charm, energy and style, coupled with the rock-solid foundation of the show, would come together to give audiences an incredible television viewing experience.
SRK was repeatedly asked why he chose to frequently follow Bachchan's indubitable lead. In trademark style, SRK said comparisons de-valued an actor. "Bachchan saab ka joota waise bhi mere liye kaafi bara hai, "he said eloquently.
KBC did wonders for Bachchan's career when the superstar was going through a bad patch professionally. Asked if he was vacating the Bollywood badshah's slot for Hrithik Roshan or Abhishek Bachchan, Shah Rukh said: "Without an abdication there can be no crowning of another king. Forgive me if I am sounding pompous, but I am here and I am staying."
With films and live shows, was Shah Rukh spreading himself too thin? "I have been working on three films per year for the last 17 years. Also some live shows and I have other engagements. This is a job like any other and we have worked out timelines," was the star's reply.
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Incidentally, SRK's son Aryaan had urged him to take up KBC only if 'Crorepati Uncle' would not do it any more. Sameer Nair clarified that Bachchan had intimated to Star as early as July this year that he would not continue with the show. SRK had prepared for about a month when he was a participant on KBC .
This time around, as host or rather the dost, on TV, it's no different. He plans to "look up old issues of newspapers on the Net." Take it with a pinch of salt, but one thing is sure, he plans to approach the anchor's role (and Siddhartha Basu dubs him as one who is a natural anchor) with the same tenacity and effort he puts in his films, or live shows.
What's the real reason for SRK making an appearance on TV again? He wants a way in which he can connect with the common man. "As actors, the nature of our jobs makes it difficult to be in touch with ordinary people. This is one way I can be in touch."
With the launch of KBC , Star India signed a 5-year contract with Celador (the creator of the original show) for this format. The deal incorporates both the format and programme license, and is the longest continuing license that has ever been granted for the global show.
So will SRK do a Big B on TV? One hopes not. Rather KBC , the stakeholders and the public would want Shah Rukh to just say, Main Hoon Na .
This time around, as host or rather the dost, on TV, it's no different. He plans to "look up old issues of newspapers on the Net." Take it with a pinch of salt, but one thing is sure, he plans to approach the anchor's role (and Siddhartha Basu dubs him as one who is a natural anchor) with the same tenacity and effort he puts in his films, or live shows.
What's the real reason for SRK making an appearance on TV again? He wants a way in which he can connect with the common man. "As actors, the nature of our jobs makes it difficult to be in touch with ordinary people. This is one way I can be in touch."
With the launch of KBC , Star India signed a 5-year contract with Celador (the creator of the original show) for this format. The deal incorporates both the format and programme license, and is the longest continuing license that has ever been granted for the global show.
So will SRK do a Big B on TV? One hopes not. Rather KBC , the stakeholders and the public would want Shah Rukh to just say, Main Hoon Na .
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