Re-charged

How will your role as a host pan out in the show?
I am the storyteller,anchor,narrator and commentator of the show. The tasks undertaken by participants are hilarious. It’s not right to say this,but when somebody slips on a banana peel,it is funny. I would say I am participating in a sweetly-nasty show.

Takeshi’s Castle,a show similar to yours is being aired on Pogo and has Jaaved Jafferi’s funny comments.

(Cuts in) I know,I have seen the show. Jaaved is naturally funny,I don’t know whether I can do comedy like that. However,there’s a big difference between our shows. While that show is already done and dubbed in Hindi with Javed’s voiceover,I have a live participation and there is interaction with participants. In terms of scale too,Wipe Out is bigger.

For those who have already watched the original version on AXN,what will be the attraction of your show?
Basically,shows of this kind are successful because everytime you see the participant,it is funny in a different way. Also,since the language spoken is closer home,it will appeal to the audience. You have an anchor,who is known and so there will be an interest.

Will you be doing any of the stunts?
No. I told them while signing the contract I don’t want to do it and if I do so,I don’t want anybody to see it. But yes,I have had water thrown on me for the promo just to get a feel of what the particpants will be going through.

Is it true that your contract with Star prohibited you from doing other TV shows?
I didn’t have a contract as such. But,yes,12 episodes of Paanchvi Pass were left to be shot because of the Indian Premier League. So,I offered to return the money to Star but they refused. Uday (Shankar,CEO Star) is a good friend of mine and I share a personal relationship with him. Since they refused to take the money,I felt morally obligated to stay away from TV for sometime. Also I was injured. TV is here to stay and rightly or wrongly I believe I am here to stay,too.

You had revived Fauji and even shot for it. What went wrong then?
I have a lot of good memories of the serial and wanted to do it well. We shot one and a half episode but we fell short of recapturing it. Also,the times have changed and somehow it didn’t feel right. It was to be aired on Colors but I discussed it with them and we mutually decided to shelve it.

What is the news about you acquiring the rights for Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi. Wasn’t Ghar Ki Baat Hai on the lines of the iconic sitcom?
I don’t helm the television part of it,I have a Red Chillies Idiot Box team looking after it. Ghar Ki Baat Hai was on the lines of Yeh Jo.. and I have been told Imagine is going to revive Ghar Ki… Idiot Box has also got another nice show Ishaan and recently have made Parindey. I saw it and it looks very good.

This year we have seen many star-driven shows on TV. How do you feel about competition and comparision?
Comparisons have always been there. Whenever there’s a newcomer I am compared,if someone gives a bigger hit or a lesser one then there are comparisions. However,I don’t believe in that. Having spent 20 years in the industry,with a lot of integrity and honesty,these thoughts never come to me. Today,I have everything a man could ask for. In a pompous way it is wrong to say I am incomparable but not wrong to say don’t compare me. With all humility I can say,all the stars,film or TV,are doing good entertainment and there’s no competition,all of us are working hard.

What is your take on reality shows?
All reality shows have a similar format. It is about putting somebody in an extraordinary situation and living off their awkwardness of facing the truth,fear,not knowing any answer,crossing a funny obstacle or making an idiot of oneself. However,I think I can bring better entertainment. People say I am Bollywood ka badshah,but I am bedroom ka badshah. I am not being vulgar,but in our culture TV is watched by the entire family and my show will appeal to everyone.

These days abusive language and offensive behaviour have become an integral part of reality shows.
First and foremost,I am a family person and I have many responsibilities towards my family. I will never do anything nasty and will try and stop if someone is doing it. I am all for entertainment,love and relationships. I may make fun of others but in a dignified way,there will be no ghatiyapan or badmaashi. I am shocked and taken aback when I hear these things.

What has been your zor ka jhatka?
On the pleasant side,it’s my beautiful children and on the unpleasant side,it’s been my injuries. I haven’t spoken about my last injury which happened when I was trying to jump over Sushmita Sen for a scene. She is so tall and here I was like a hero jumping over her and it was embarrassing to have a fall. It was a little pleasure but a lot of pain!

Recently you met Madhuri Dixit on the sets of another reality show. What was the feeling?
Fantastic! I spent two hours with Madhuri,we spoke about our children. She is shooting in Mumbai’s Filmistan Studios and whenever I am there,I will trouble her. I think great acting stops at the count of ek do teen and that’s Madhuri. She is beautiful and I will be happy if she does a guest appearance in my film.

Are you doing Sajid Nadiadwala’s film with Vishal Bhardwaj?
Yes,I am in talks with Sajid and Vishal is working on the script though things have to be finalised yet.

On Koffee With Karan,you apparently said that you can never say sorry to anyone?
What I meant was that while I am an outgoing person in public,in private I am shy and reclusive. I cannot express joy,sorrow,anger or apology. And when I said I cannot apologise,I didn’t say it with pride,I meant I cannot express it.

chaya.unnikrishnan@expressindia.com