BOMBAY TIMES (March 27, 2015)

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; March 2, 2015)

Shah Rukh Khan makes a long overdue return to television with India Poochega Sabse Shaana Kaun? which starts airing tonight on &TV. After one of the long shoots of Sabse Shaana... post midnight, we caught up with the actor for a chat session where he explains why the common man factor on IPSSK is something that interested him more than other reality shows...

With recent changes on Indian television, do you think that the lines between our format and the Western one is blurring?
It would take another five years for the lines to get blurred. You need to have content which film actors would want to participate in. If the content is given, which is of a similar TV type, it is not going to attract film actors to it, especially if it’s fiction. Non-fiction - yes, reality shows are something everyone would do. In fiction, you would never be able to track actors or stars of caliber till there’s something new which they can do. The writing in television of the Western world is of an extremely high caliber. It’s also of an extremely edgy nature. TV has to offer something exciting and different to exciting and different actors if they want us to do fiction. At this point of time, it’s not comparable at all.

You’ve added a dash of newness to every show you’ve been a part of. What’s new with IPSSK?
I don’t know the business part of it. I just go by what the team says. So, here in India Poochega, I go by what the & TV, the Zee TV teams say. My first criteria for everyone will always be that hopefully it works on the new channel. This is not fiction, it’s reality TV. So I would not give my ideas. They want to have spikes, they want to have the GRPs so hopefully, whatever they tell me to do, I do it. There’s obviously a method in which I host shows or live shows which you can’t change. I know I have a freedom given to me by everyone at Zee to just be myself. So hopefully that makes up for the lack of understanding I have. Their understanding of television, my understanding of being myself is the mix we’re looking for, in India Poochega. Hopefully, people will like it.

Do you get a kick out of having the common man on the show?
I come from a common background. So it’s difficult to go back 25 years and think that I was common. But I know where my antecedents are from and to me, I have never been special. I have never been surprised to think that I am a big movie star. So I understand that world of the common man very well. I understand the sisters, the brothers, the cousins, the aunties and the issues people have. I won’t lie but I don’t know the price of petrol or vegetables. But that does not make me uncommon, that makes me really busy. I don’t understand that, but there was a time when I did all that.

What prompted you to take up this game show?
Puneet Goenka’s a friend, Siddharth Basu is doing it and it has a new format, never been done in the world before. We have bought the rights to it or whatever, however the legalities have been taken care of. I like to do television, mainly reality shows. The Q&A format attracts me the most.

You’re collaborating with Siddharth Basu again…
If it’s a quiz show, a game show like this, I would only do it with Siddharth. He is my senior and so is Mira Nair. So whenever I get an opportunity to collaborate with them for any project, I jump onto it. There’s a certain comfort level which Siddharth and I share and that has always helped the show.

What would you rather prefer to be on the show — host or contestant?
It’s always more challenging to be the contestant!

The game is about being street smart. Do you think it helps in being successful, too?
I thought the best way to be successful is hard work, especially when you have a face like this (points to himself and laughs). But no, on a serious note, I do not agree with the statement at all. You cannot work your way to success by just being street smart. You have to be hard-working and talented and also get the right breaks.

One question the contestants ask you first when they meet you?
Can we hug you? (Smiles)

BOMBAY TIMES (March 1, 2015)

Roshmilla Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 26, 2015)

Purva Khole (DNA; February 26, 2015)


Kapil, apparently, said that the channel had asked him to refrain from participating in competitor’s show as they felt that he was overexposed. Hence we will not see him on the SRK’s show. We’ve also heard that King Khan was miffed and had a heated argument with Colors, who rubbished Kapil’s claim. While we tried contacting Colors’ PR they said, “It was Kapil’s call to be a part of any other show”, and that they are not aware of any such diktat from the channel.

A source close to Shah Rukh said that the actor is only the host of the show and does not interfere in other matters. It is the channel that decides on guest participants.

Interestingly when Kapil’s CNWK sets caught fire last year, Shah Rukh was one of the first Bollywood stars to extend support. This makes us wonder is Kapil is indeed acting on the channel’s instructions or has he grown too big for his boots?

Shah Rukh Khan takes a trip down memory lane, reminiscing his good ol’ TV days and discussing how the medium has evolved over the decades...
Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; February 20, 2015)


You’re one of the few actors to successfully make the transition from TV star to movie star...
If that’s the case, I’m also the only guy who came from films to television and hasn’t succeeded again. So I need to succeed at TV because that’s where it all started. With all due respect to KBC and Paanchvi Paas and Wipeout, I don’t think I have been able to recreate the magic of Fauji or Dil Dariya or Ummeed or Wagle Ki Duniya or Circus again.

From Fauji to India Poochega Sabse Shanaa Kaun, a lot has changed on Indian television. Comment.
Unfortunately or fortunately, I am bound by the fact that I like to do a certain kind of television. It may be fiction, which I don’t know if that will ever happen. If that’s non-fiction, I like the question-answer type. I am not very turned on by the other reality shows. The shows are really wonderful, but I am not turned on by the idea of hosting it. Somewhere down the line I need to understand. I have a team — the &TV team that tells me — ‘Look, we need to do it like this’. Now that is not my forte — knowing what the market is like. So I try my best learning it from the people I work with. But I hope that someday, I can re-create the magic of Fauji. Inshallah!

You love the Q&A format of the game, but it has not worked for you previously. India Poochega has a novel concept. Do you think it will help you redeem yourself on television?
I don’t do any work for redemption. Having said that, if you keep doing something long enough and are good enough with the passion that you have and the hard work that you put in, it will work one day. It cannot go wrong. This is what my experiences have made me believe. So I have worked for 25 years and when I made films, I went wrong. When I became a producer, I went wrong. It might sound arrogant but it’s absolutely not that way. But then I went on to make few of the biggest films made in Bollywood after having made some films that did not do well. You cannot have instant success. Success can only happen instantly when you are new. The biggest problem of success is that you lose the ability to surprise people. You lose the freedom to go wrong. So yes, we have to keep doing it again and again. With the talent, hard work and the team that we have presently on India Poochega, we want to bring something to the table that is new and different. So if you go wrong once, you try again. You go wrong again but you cannot stop trying and striving for the better. You keep on trying till you get it right and shifting, changing and evolving with the team you work with. So hopefully, with the &TV team and India Poochega Sabse Shaana Kaun?, I will be able to create something that will be new on television and entertain people. I don’t know how big or small it will be but that won’t stop me from trying.

Does criticism bog you down or hurt you?
Criticism hurts me, but I don’t get bogged down. I am a different kind of a person. The more you tell me I am wrong, I will try and do it again and again to prove it to you that it’s right in the long run. I have no other reason to be doing what I can — to be able to entertain. If I have done it for 25 years, now it’s my duty. It’s like a responsibility on me. I don’t want to sound pompous but I have been doing this for so long that now I am like, ‘Can I do something new?’ I think people who are at the top of their game should try doing new stuff every time. I get really impressed by people who are different and they try something new and then I’m like ‘They have nothing to lose’. If the person who has the most to lose does not try something new, then there’s something wrong for sure. I’ve played the game long enough now to know that if I go wrong whatever number of times — be it with VFX, RA.One, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, KKR or other TV shows, it won’t pull me down. You have to believe that new things do get understood by some people. As an artiste, it’s our duty to explain that what we are doing may not have adhered to your sensibilities right now, but this may be the thing you like later on.

So many offers might have come to you after KBC or after Wipeout. Why choose India Poochega?
There have not been many offers! (Laughs) I think after Wipeout, I got busy and there were only one or two offers, but they were already on TV. I need to do something that I feel happy doing. I wake up in the morning and work 20 hours a day. So if I don’t feel happy, I won’t be able to pass on that happiness. It’s not at all for money. Unfortunately, I like the Q&A format a lot more. I do it all the time with my kids. They like it and I enjoy it. I like to be the host of a quiz show because in spite of what others might think about me, I feel I am an intelligent person. So I need to do this. I like people winning money and the other things that I have been offered has never interested me. Love and work — if it does not turn you on, don’t do it!

Will we never see you turn judge for a reality show?
I have been a judge on reality shows, when we go for film promotions. I am the worst at judging people. I like everyone and I want to give everyone a 10 on 10. I don’t like judging anyone. When I was judging Miss India and the other one — Grasim Mr India, both times I faced difficulties judging the people. One time, I was sitting in the parking lot and I told Maureen (Wadia) that I cannot select one person. I asked her to tell me who she likes and who the best is, I will just come and announce it. Same thing happened during Miss India. That time, Waheedaji, Juhi and Azharuddin were on the panel so I asked them to select unko jo bhi achche laage. That’s one thing I cannot do at all.

No Bigg Boss as well?
With due respect to all the other shows, I don’t think I am fit for anything other than the shows I have been associated with. As for Bigg Boss, no it’s not my cup of tea. In terms of how the contestants lead their lives and all, it’s a beautiful show. And I think Salman does it really well and Farah’s done it really well too. I see snippets of it. People in my house see it. I have never been intrigued to host it. But yes, watching it as an audience, I am open to seeing Bigg Boss. As a host, I don’t think I will be very good at it.

There’s an amicable synergy building between the mediums of films and TV...
I am not exploring. I started here. The other people who are doing it and exploring the medium are all fantastic. Salman, I believe is fabulously watchable as a host. Even Dus Ka Dum was very cool and now he’s doing Bigg Boss. I am sorry, but I can’t speak like this about Salman or Aamir, but generically, I don’t think actors think like that. They think of it the other way — that this is the show which has attracted me so what can I add to the show? People enjoy themselves on the small screen and that’s why Salman or Aamir do it. Aamir really loves the social service stuff that he does and is very pertinent of his ideas. He’s happy doing it. For me, I am a television star hoping to be a film star. So when I become a film star, I will try to be a TV star again. I am still struggling, but these guys are good at their job.

You have also said that you are more interested in Western sitcoms than an Indian soap or serial. Why?
I can’t understand Indian TV and I ‘ll be honest about it. I am sorry Zee TV, &TV, Sony TV, Star or Colors, but I don’t understand television stuff here at all. I am too urban for it. Maybe I am too uneducated or unemotional. I sell all that myself in my films but I don’t understand that on TV. I don’t know who devranis and jethanis are. I come from a different kind of family, so I don’t understand all that. I understand good story-telling. Even the Indian 24 was beautiful. I like Prison Break. Actually, let me be very honest, when television started early on, there were shows like Hum Log, Fauji, Buniyaad, Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, Wagle Ki Duniya, Nukkad. They had more essence and were funny, entertaining yet edgy and different. There was a TV series with another fantastic serial which Kitu Gidwani was a part of and was based on Moonlight. Even Hum Paanch and Indradhanush were interesting. It’s not a comment on what people are making today because at the end of it, it’s a business and people want to make sure it works. Maybe the choices were less back then which is why these shows got more attraction. Today, the choice is a lot in terms of the number of channels that we have today. The choice and content is very narrow. Nobody wants to take a chance and go wrong. The channels should try and take more risks now because sometimes you need to create an audience. People say, ‘Log dekhte nahi hai’. Par aapne dikhaya kya hai? Failing one time does not mean it was rejected. It simply means that they were not ready for it. So we need to do it again. If you give the audience enough choices, they will make some interesting choices too.

Do you ever see yourself doing a fictional show on TV?
If they can afford me! But I doubt television can afford me.

What if the makers create a special character for you?
They still won’t be able to afford me. I am very spoiled (smiles). I would love to do if it’s something really amazing as a character. Sometimes, I sit down with my friends and discuss it each time we meet. So I tell them, ‘Let’s do it, let’s do it’. But eventually, I understand that they want me to do things that work, not the stuff that’s risky but I can make it work. I kind of get out of the room quietly without telling them. I am a little bound when it comes to films but on television, I would like to sacrifice everything to be a part of a really nice show. I was joking about the price and all. You allow me to come on television because it reaches homes without a huge amount of charge. I have said it even when I was not a big star that a door knob can be a star on television. It all depends on how you film your story. When I talk to the channel heads, they are initially very excited about the idea I have. But eventually the novelty of the idea gets lost. They will tell me, ‘aisa karna padega. We have to make 52 episodes and we have to make these changes’ and it becomes really difficult to teach them the process. So, I just take myself out of it.

Roshmilla Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 12, 2015)

SRK alludes to Deepika Padukone’s recent confession about battling depression and seeking professional help
Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; January 24, 2015)

His star trek began with a slick television serial titled Fauji more than two decades ago and even after becoming the baadshah of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan kept returning to the small screen time and again. But, it looks like he has a penchant for quizzing and game shows. After hosting Kaun Banega Crorepati, Kya Aap Paanchvi Paas Se Tez Hain and Zor Ka Jhatka, SRK is now gearing up to add another game show to his television repertoire — ndia Poochega — Sabse Shaana Kaun, based on the ‘Who’s Asking?’ format.

At the launch of the show on Wednesday night, the actor told hitlist that he had been offered a lot of TV shows but the concepts didn’t enthuse him. But, this particular game show’s format compelled him to take it up. “I don’t want to do shows only for money. But I liked this QnA format of Sabse… Since it is a new concept, we have some scope to improvise. And despite a set format, I would like to have personal interaction with the participants to bring a human aspect to the show. I like quizzing. I play treasure hunt with my kids and hurl questions at them on various topics. When I was in Dubai to bring in the New Year, all of us, including my friends, would sit down to play mind trap and other games. More than who is smarter amongst us we were keen to know who will win first,” SRK said.

He then moved on to talk about the pressure of being under constant media scrutiny. Alluding to the recent comments made by his Happy New Year co-star Deepika Padukone on personally coping with depression, Shah Rukh said he takes life as it comes. “People have their ways of dealing with their emotions, but I don’t have any specific source. Always staying in the limelight is tough. However, what is more difficult is to stay on the path of righteousness while staying on the top. An actress who wears a skimpy dress is severely scrutinised. Sometimes you hear statements like ‘God! He’s looking so haggard, what is he wearing?’ But, that is how I choose to be, why must that bother you? To live through all that can get stressful. But, I work only under stress. I have chosen to work 18 hours a day and accept everyone’s criticism as a part and parcel of this life,” the actor asserts.

Shah Rukh is the face of new channel &TV, is hosting a game show
Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; January 23, 2015)

Shah Rukh Khan looks fresh and charged up despite shooting the previous night. He’s barely had any sleep, but finds the time to launch a new channel & TV from Zee Network. Witty as ever, Khan is the life of the game show India Poochega — Sabse Shaana Kaun?, that marks his return to TV as a host. The unique show will have people from across India asking questions to the contestants, who have to be street-smart in answering them. SRK presented a sample of the game-show and from what we saw, it is really fun and lively. SRK’s last three TV outings — Kaun Banega Crorepati, Zor Ka Jhatka and Kya Aap Paanchvi Paas Se Tez Hain? may not have rated well, but it looks like this one will hit the bull’s eye. Excerpts from our chat...

What took you so long to return to TV?
The offers that came my way just weren’t interesting enough. I like the Q&A format in a show. I do the same with my children Aryan and Suhana at home and it’s fun. So when I got the opportunity to do it on a platform like this, I found it interesting. I am going to work round-the-clock and finish this. Right now, the team is going around the country and finding people who can ask questions.

Will the show also give the background of the people who are asking the questions?
Yes, I have asked them to show their background. It will be interesting. For instance, if a housewife says she is a fan of Lata Mangeshkar, we can ask her to hum a little. Some places I am trying to go myself and do an interview with them. I want to keep it as interactive and real as possible, even go live at times.

Your last show didn’t do well. How confident are you now?
For me, more than success, it is important to see how much happiness can be spread. The sets are good, research is good, I am good (smiles) — it has all the ingredients to be a success, not just in terms of ratings but how much it will entertain. For me, it is the most entertaining show. Depending on the questions from the common people, it will be very interesting. For instance, housewives will choose housewives to ask questions. The pyramid will get bigger. There are people from different walks of life — politicians, sportspeople, celebrities, etc.

Has anybody shown you any shaanpatti so far?
Nobody, my reputation is such (Smiles). Everybody meets me with love!

Will we see you in any fiction show?
I enjoy thrillers, I used to watch a detective show Tehkikaat in the early days of Doordarshan. Even Karamchand had a good plot. If something like that comes my way, I might.

Since 24, several channels and producers are trying to procure rights for foreign shows to be remade in Hindi. Will your production house look at acquiring any international shows?
I would like to, I have discussed it with friends from TV. But I think our thinking is very different. I love watching House Of Cards, Fargo and Prison Break. Not that they are very evolved, but that is forward TV specifically for Indian families. What is shown is these serials and the storylines are such that it can be shown in films. In Indian households there are kids, uncles, aunties, grand parents etc, who may not see TV at the same time, even if it’s on. For instance, in the house when you are hearing songs, bhajans and poems, if a naughty song is being played it seems strange. Not that we feel bad to hear it, but it’s a little awkward if your naani is there and the song Sexy, Sexy is playing. It sounds odd. I think it will take considerable time for these foreign storylines to be adapted to Indian TV.

What shows do you watch with your children?
With my son Aryan, I watch Breaking Bad and Fargo. With my daughter Suhana it’s Glee, America’s Next Top Supermodel and Pretty Little Liars. I try to make them see some of the shows I watch which are serious, but don’t really succeed. With two bedrooms, I watch different shows with my son and daughter. If I tell Suhana to watch a show with me and Aryan together she says it’s boring and when I tell Aryan to watch with me and Suhana, he is bored! That’s what I was saying earlier. Only sometimes I get a show for the family to watch together. Most Indian households are single TV households and it is difficult to find a foreign show that can be Indianised for family viewing.

Were you offered Bigg Boss?
I was offered the show a long time ago and I had spoken about it. I didn’t get any offer in recent times.

This year you will have two releases...
I hope so, Fan and Rohit’s film. I will start shooting for his film from May for a three-month schedule. Before that I will be shooting for Raees for 40 days, and Fan is almost over.

Is Rohit’s film a remake of any old Hindi movie?
No, first I read it was a remake of Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, then Hum and later Amar Akbar Anthony! Let me tell you it is none of these. In fact the narration that I have got, I haven’t heard or seen anything like it before. It’s a populist happy film but original.

Has Raees been pushed to next year?
Raees was always meant to release next year. It’s an Excel Entertainment, Red Chillies co-production and Excel has Dil Dhadakne Do and Bangistan. Raees will be their third or fourth release.