KBC is god sent - Shahrukh Khan

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

UNI: As the 'Baadshah of Bollywood', he has over the years commanded a huge following among the masses through his 'inescapable charisma' and amazing screen presence.

As the new host of the popular game show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' who steps in the shoes of mega superstar Amitabh Bachchan in the new edition of KBC to be aired from January next year, Shah Rukh Khan now hopes to return the tremendous amount of love that he has received from cinegoers in his nearly two decade-long career.

''For me 'KBC' is a 'learning point' (as against a 'turning' point for the Mr Bachchan) in the sense that it gives me an opportunity to interact first hand with people who have loved me and my films (and even those who have hated them) and learn about their hopes and aspirations.

The very thought is thrilling and makes me feel very nice,''the 'King Khan' told newspersons at a press meet here for the new edition of the popular game show.

Addressing reporters for the first time after the announcement of the new edition of the show last week, Shah Rukh said,''I am a normal middle class person with a normal upbringing. And, at some level, I feel I am able to connect with people, whether it be kids or youngsters, who feel that I am one of them. However, as a star, one is sometimes not able to interact with the people who love you.

In this sense, KBC is an excellent platform- infact, a godsend to be in touch with the people who have given me tremendous adulation over the years.'' Asked as to what contribution, as a host, he could bring to the popular show, Shah Rukh said,''I think it is a show meant to make people feel that it will bring about a turning point in their life.

As a host of the show, I will try my best to give them this feeling.

Right from its inception in the year 2000, 'KBC' has been a show close to my heart - intelligent smart and classy. As its new host, I will try to ensure that the show retains the same class as it did when Mr Bachchan was hosting it.'' Dismissing all talk about him replacing the Big B, Shah Rukh said,''I am too small to step in the shoes of Mr Bachchan. I'm not replacing him but I am only stepping in as a host of the show after he declined. At best, I am there as the second best choice. In this capacity, I will ensure that the show does not lose out on its entertaining content.'' In this context, he mentioned that his little son Aryan, when mentioned about his hosting KBC, told him that ''agar Crorepati Uncle nahin Karen Tabhi Karna (you should only do the show after Crorepati uncle - Mr Bachchan declines)''.

''In fact, when I told him Mr Bachchan was not doing the show, he was sad,''Shah Rukh said.

However, producer of the show, Siddharth Basu of Synergy communications, put the Shah Rukh's admission of being ''the second best'' to his feeling of modesty.

''Shah Rukh is modest when he calls himself the second best show host. Infact, he brings a new dimension and a new tenor to the KBC.

He is cheeky, witty and has a great sense of humour, all of which make him a superb host for a generation next show. In that sense, he is, if anything, an alternate choice and not the seocnd best choice,'' Mr Basu said.