Quiz time

Apart from being sports-based,how is Sports Ka Superstar different from other quiz shows?
Sports Ka Superstar is based on a homegrown quiz format of Big Synergy,which grew around the idea of finding the best of the best on any given subject,since all challengers can attempt all the questions through an answer pad,with periodic play-offs for the leaders position. The players here are sports buffs and it’s a highly competitive format in which fortunes can change anytime,and a true champion is established,since all players are on a level playing field. The sporting questions have interest for the general viewers too,and the standard of the competition is high.

What prompted you to select Mini Mathur to host this show?
Sports Ka Superstar needed a skilled,seasoned,bi-lingual,Hindi-speaking host,adept at multi-tasking conduct,and you’ll find that Mini Mathur delivers with flair. She’s right on top of the information and content,is highly responsive to the state of play,guiding it adroitly,is contestant- friendly,and makes the contest fun. She conducts the quiz intelligently and entertainingly. Besides,a female anchor who’s smart,fit and pleasant as host of a sports show widens the appeal of the show.

From KBC to Sports Ka Superstar,do you feel that quizzing has changed for both the viewers and television channels?
Change is constant. We’ve done the whole range,from the purist and austere Mastermind to the fun family quiz about TV – Big Money.

For Big Money,what is the base for the questions? How are you going about it?
The quiz content is based entirely on what you see on our TV – entertainment,ads,movies,news and sport. We have simple questions on which you can win big. We have a team working on making interesting and entertaining questions that can hook contestants and viewers alike.

What is your take on R.Madhavan as the host?
The boyish charm belies a real pro with great range,who has everything that it takes. He’s friendly,playful,and super-sharp,with a fine sense of people and drama. He’s a terrific fit for the Imagine show.

Where does a quiz show stand with regard to reality and saas-bahu shows on air? Who is the target audience?
It’s a vast audience out there and there are many viewerships. I don’t think there’s a fixed viewership for any and every kind of quiz show. I’m not sure to what extent there’s an overlap between saas-bahu soaps and knowledge games. But the ideal general entertainment quiz target group is a family viewership that can be entertained by the shows.

Do you think quiz-shows have been dumbed down? Is TRP the reason?
From news to fiction,what haven’t TRPs distorted or dumbed down? A flimsy,miniscule dipstick has the 25,700 crore industry,almost thrice the size of the all-India film industry,go into paroxysms every day to chase commercial brownie-points. We live with it as best as we can. Having said that,Sports Ka Superstar is hardly dumbed down. I’d describe it as median. Big Money is super-simple,but has a sting in the tail.

There are reports that Amitabh Bachchan will be hosting KBC4. Is that true?
You’ll have to wait for an announcement from Sony,which has the Indian license for this format.

Do you think KBC still has that pull?
It has legs,long legs – it’s proved that all over the world,where it’s still running with interesting tweaks of the format. In some places it’s had a second wind,thanks to Slumdog Millionnaire.

Who according to you is the best host among the stars that you have worked with?
Amitabh Bachchan is a class act – pitch-perfect. Shah Rukh Khan is a serial charmer,a streetsmart wit. Salman Khan wears his heart on his sleeve,is a generous host who’s an explosive and impulsive entertainer. Boman Irani is a one-man entertainment act. Soha Ali Khan is super-bright and spirited. Rajeev Khandelwal showed quiet depth,strength and sensitivity. R. Madhavan is effortless,he defines likeability. Now you tell me,whom should I pick ? And why should I pick only one? I’d pick them all!

Why has Salman Khan’s 10 Ka Dum been postponed to later this year?
I think Sony probably just wants to time a souped-up damdaar 10 Ka Dum for the best time of the year.

Which international game/quiz show would you like to bring to India?
What I’d really like is to take India internationally. We’re doing southern language versions of Khelo Jeeto Jiyo,where you can win a house and everything in it. It’s the kind of show that has had interest from foreign buyers.

What is happening on the fiction front?
After Jiya Jale and a few Tamil dailies,we’re gearing up to do a few shows that are quite differentiated. Watch this space!