Amitabh Bachchan-The Guru of Entertainment
The Guru of Entertainment Now Gives Gyaan!
When Mr. Bachchan made an entry on Television twelve years ago with ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’, the entire nation was taken by storm. The show, that began as a quiz show soon became an entertaining one, all thanks to Mr. Bachchan. By adding a humane side to it, it furthered itself by making common man the hero. But that has not lessened one bit of the hero within Mr. Bachchan; in fact, it has just grown, given the ideal anchor that he is. By offering something new to his fans every time, he has managed to retain his charisma and the ‘Wow’ factor that envelopes him. Weaving magic on screen and ruling it for twelve years, Bachchanji will be propagating, ‘Gyaan Hi Aapko Aapka Haq Dilaata Hai’, meaning it is only knowledge that gives you your due. At the launch of the 6th season of Kaun Banega Crorepati, we managed to get hold of some Bachchan-ism…
On season 6 of KBC…
“Every season comes with its own share of excitement, anxieties, and butterflies. Even to this day, I often grow self-conscious in front of the camera and while facing so many people. My only attempt is to do my job well and if it makes a difference in the lives of people, nothing like it.”
His inputs in the show…
“It is the Marketing and Creative Team that conducted the research; I’ve given no inputs. My only contribution was and is on my costumes. I simply tell them, ‘Yeh sahi nahi hai… Coat koi aur color ka ho sakta hai kya?’And that’s just about it.”
Transformation from first to the sixth season…
“It is my own curiosity and that urge to do different things that leads me to places. In 2000, people advised me against doing Television; according to them I was reducing myself from 70mm frame to 25mm TV screen. But I was quite convinced with the show’s format and never undermined the power of Television and thus decided on doing the show. I met Chris Tarrent, the first host of the game show and was quite impressed with the format. That’s how it all began.”
Issues that will be dealt with on the show…
“We cannot solve all the problems of the world on KBC. Societal problems ke baare mein toh sarkar jaane. All these issues should be dealt by the Government and I am sure they are doing something about it.”
On being enthusiastic. Always …
“I am an artist. I am employed to do a task and my job is to ensure that I do it well. That’s the law of most professions. Do you not go for an interview in the middle of the night if that is what you are supposed to do? You go for it, right. That’s exactly what I do.”
Struggles…
“Problems are a part and parcel of one’s life. Whenever I would go to my father with any problem, he would tell me, “Jab tak jeevan hai, tab tak sangharsh hai” (As long as you live, you will have to face struggles).”
Shows he likes watching on Television…
“I like watching Bade Acche Lagte Hain. Sakshi Tanwar and Ram Kapoor are brilliant actors; and I’am not saying this because it’s Sony’s show; I genuinely like them. Ram and I also share a close bond; we are from the same school – Sherwood High School in Nainital. Besides, I like watching talent hunt shows too; how talented are the kids on these shows! It is an absolute delight to see them dance and sing so well.”
His take on Gyaan…
“According to me, knowledge can be divided into three main heads: Saamajik (knowledge of and by the society), Pustakeey (knowledge through reading) aur Mata-Pita se mila gyaan (knowledge imparted by parents). As far as dealing with the theme of ‘Gyaan Hi Aapko Aapka Haq Dilaata Hai’ is concerned, I feel your luck may take you to the hot seat, but once there, it is only knowledge that can take you ahead. A lot of girls in the obscure towns of India are not allowed education. There is a lot of discrimination; but I believe 50% of the country’s power is in the hands of women. I believe that it is high time that the society frees them from clutches of discrimination and lets them be. Studies indicate that a lot of girls are not allowed to continue their education after the completion of their seventh or eighth grade. People raising clich discriminating dialogues disgust me and my heart goes out to those in need.”
About Aaradhya…
“Aaradhya has gradually started recognizing me. Jab bhi mujhe hichkiyaan aati hain, I am sure she’s thinking of me. By now, I am sure she knows ke iss daadhi waale se koi khaas rishta toh zaroor hai.”