Lots of buzz around the ZCA 04! How did you manage to create it? What kind of a promotional campaign has been launched across platforms... at national and international level both?

A lot of thought process went into this. We wrote down two things in the very beginning
a) ZCA should become the benchmark for other award ceremonies
b) ZCA should become the most prestigious and valued award.

Thereafter, we discussed that Indian films were not restricted to Indian borders only. Those days are gone. So we decided to hunt for a venue outside India. For some time, we were thinking of Las Vegas. But then, we decided that Dubai would be ahead of Las Vegas in terms of Indian cinema's fan following.

Why did you decide to do it indoors?

Because the TV coverage on an indoor premises always appears better.

What kind of research went into it?

We did a research in India to find out what people are vasically interested in. We found that the people are not interested in the technical awards. All they are enthu about is 4 awards- Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Film, Best Director. Like they aren't even interested in who is the singer and the music director of the topmost chart buster. So we introduced an award 'Song Of The Year'. It's going to be totally a people oriented show. We did not do this research internationally, because logistics did not allow.
Thereafter, we hired eight trucks and two Sumos to distribute and collect forms in the interiors of eight states in India. The theme of the campaign is PAN India Zee Cine Awards Election. The fact that the elections are round the corner, helped. The moment I do this analogy, the consumer knows what I am talking about.

What has been the response to the 'Vote and Fly to Dubai' contest?

We did four phases of communication on air. Phase 1 was an announcement on Zee News. This kicked off the PAN India Zee Cine Award Election. This ran for about three days.

The next phase of the election lasted 16 days where Preity Zinta, Shah RUkh Khan and Munnabhaqi M B B S went to people and asked for votes to be endorsed on their name. This is what polticuians do, don't they?

Next, we took eight vox pops across various parts of India and some locations abroad and put those on air.

Also, we went in for an official radio partner, Red FM. After 16 February, we started the appointment viewing building.

Are the trophies going to be special?

Very special. All the trophies have been made in Audtralia, with 24 karat gold. Each trophy is worth 1.3 lakh rupees. We have tied up with City Gold Corporation.

How many entries did you'll receive?
Half a million entries via SMS, Internet and IVR (Integrated Voice Response). SMS and Internet in Hindi heartland is very low, hence we had to provide IVR.

How does it feel to perform at the Pan Parag Zee Cine Awards, especially since it is held at Dubai this year?

Hey, Dubai is not far away. In Mumbai, we often drive two to three hours to reach for work. Just two-and-half hours in a plane and we'll be there. Sounds very exciting, actually.

How many days are you slotting for the rehearsals?

I will be rehearsing for four days for these awards.

Did you have to change your shooting schedules to accommodate the rehearsals and the Dubai visit?

No. As of now, I am just working on Farhan Akhtar's 'Lakshya'. The shooting for which is already complete. So remaining time is spent in listening to new scripts. In that sense, it wasn't really tough to allot time for this.

How does it feel share the stage with Shah Rukh Khan?

Feels great! If there is one actor who I always wanted to work with, it's Shah Rukh.

What do you think are your chances to win an award in the 'Best Actor' category?

I think I have a great chance. 'Koi Mil Gaya' was a special movie and such movies don't come again and again. But even if I don't win it, I won't crib. It's a great feeling to be seated amidst the film industry's finest and hear your name being called out, even if it is from the nominee list.

From being an ace director to a producer to comparing a prominent
Film Awards ceremony ...How did this happen?

Actually, ever since childhood, I was fond of going on stage. I was an enthusiastic participant in elocution competitions and dramas, be it at school or at college level.

With your own movie being nominated across categories, how does it feel to be on stage announcing the nominees?

I would be having butterflies in my stomach! But, chalta hai! May the best person win.

How often are you rehearsing for the show? Are you practising alone or with your co-host Juhi Chawla?

I haven't started rehearsing. I will go two days prior to the Zee Cine Awards to Dubai and practise all I can.

What is Karan Johar going to wear for the ZCA 04 ?

(laughs) I haven't decided. Now that you ask, let me think about it...

Are you writing your own script?

No, they have a writer. But Juhi and I will of course add our own flavour to it.

How did you achieve this casting coup of sorts- Hrithik and Shahrukh performing on the same stage? Whose idea was it ?

It was a joint decision. These two are very popular, but they have always performed separately. Since we want this show to be a benchmark, why not do something sensational?

The Moranis are known to organise and help direct some of the biggest film based events and awards ceremonies? What according to you is the USP or the differentiator for the ZCA 04?

It is a unique event - be it in terms of the performances, set, lighting or even seating arrangements. Every seat will be a premium seat. The stands will be inclined upwards, so no person will have any kind of obstruction while viewing. Plus we have set LED screens- which are neither afforadable nor available in India. And of course, all the equipment used will be of foreign manufacturers.

Who has choreographed the various perfomances?

We have roped in the ace Bollywood choreographer Ganesh Hegde for the event.

Are there any major fireworks displays or pyrotechnics planned?
Yes, there will be lots of dazzle, pyrotechnics on stage. We will have also set up plasma screens on floor.

Who is the TV director of the ZCA 04?
We have shortlisted some names, but as of now, we will mostly get in Ajay Kapoor.

On the Zee Cine Awards 2004:

This will be the mother of all Award functions till date, so far- in terms of size, skill, production and sound put together.

Why Dubai:

Our regional offices from London, US, Africa had pitched, so had the Dubai office. We saw that the Dubai infrastructure was better.
Everybody knows that Zee is the strongest network internationally. To harness this, plus to move away from the traditional Indian market, we decided on a venue ouside India.

On the Ticket sales:

The ticket sales have been phenomenal.

On the ZCA next year:

Next year, we see it bigger than this year.

On the Highlights of this year's show:

First time on stage, Hrithik Roshan and Shah Rukh Khan. Hrithik has never performed live in Dubai, SRK has, but both together will send the crowd in raptures.
Live performances by Shekhar Suman and Omar Sharif, first time an Indian and a Pakistani artiste performing together on stage. Mind you, no undercurrent of politics, it will be just simple pure stand-up comedy. Also, live performances by Lara Dutta, Preity Zinta....
All the who's who of the film industry, bureaucrats, page 3 socialites, media men, corporate personnel will be flown in specially to Dubai as Zee guests.

On the security and other arrangements for the Stars:

The stars will be given thorough security and will be assigned Nigerian bodyguards.
The moment they land, they'll be given portfolios which will dwell in detail on what they need to do and whom they should call for all requirements.

On this year's theme:

The show will not follow any theme. Initially, there was a school of thought that a theme like Indo-Pak or cricket-films should be incorporated, but eventually, we decided to go for simple pure entertainment. Often, a theme makes the show linear, repititive and boring.

Why Dubai:

We didn't want to do it in Mumbai because every show these days has to be shut by 10.30 pm. By 10 pm, we are on tenterhooks because we don't start on time, simply because the crowd hasn't come in. It is wrong to blame the people who come in late for two reasons a) they surely cannot keep themselves free for the whole day, so they're coming from work b) the traffic in Mumbai is impossible, these days. So we decided that we should go abroad, where no artiste will be busy.
We selected Dubai because Dubai is the closest venue abroad.
Also, I take this opportunity to once again thank the government of Dubai. Dubai has people of 180 nationalities residing in it. This would be the best platform to globalise Indian cinema.

Special Highlights:

In fact, we are going to have something very big at the beginning of the show, some personality who would put a stamp of international recognition on Indian cinema.

Pre Event On Air Build Up:

As a pre-run build up towards the show, we have special segments, half hour and one hour specials where we would be interviewing the people nominated and asking them questions which have never been asked to them. Like did you know that Rakesh Roshan had shot an alternative ending for Koi Mil Gaya? Like did you know that there is something that Nikhil Advani did not like about Kal Ho Na Ho? Like did you know there was a scene in Kal Ho Na Ho which did not see the light of day- SRK reading out his diary to Saif and Preity? We will show those scenes during those special segments. Plus, we will interview some people concerned with the nominations. Mind you, these will not be PR interviews. We will candidly ask them that if they don't win, then who is the second deserving winner. These specials will begin from 22 February.


On the selection process:

The selection process was simple. After pooling in the received votes, we took the box-office collections into account, then the jury came in with the proposals of those films which hadn't clicked but were still impressive in many ways, a consensus was reached and the final list of nominees was chalked out.

The teams behind the awards:

We set up an event team headed by Cineyug.
Additionally, we set up an event cell. Then, of course, we have our Dubai office which is looking into all the associations, tie-ups and sponsors, additionally we have employed 2-3 companies to give us some extra hands at work.

The Venue:

The ground will have 4 LED screens, one 21 X 17 LED Screens, two side screens, and one screen to give you the top angle, this will give a 360 degree view to the audience.
On ground, there'll be French lady ushers to guide the audience in.

On his role:

My role is to take a creative call on how the whole thing would translate on ground and air.