|
Both
players may not be on opposite sides of a tennis court at the same time, but the
match is no less nail biting.
 |
| (Courtesy:www.thehimalayantimes.com) |
'Mere angne
mein tumhara kya kaam hai?' challenges the Khan in an opening volley in the music
video of the fresh season of Kaun Banega Crorepati. Rival channels, egged
on probably by higher motivations, flash snap polls that claim the Big B was a
better host than the new one. SRK goes on the aggressive, albeit with a smile
on the face. "Obviously, the answer to this question is not king, for there's
only one king - me!" Ouch.
So much for modesty. There
are more backhands and biting serves in his armoury. After skilfully delivering
a convoluted sentence in chaste, Sanskritised Hindi, he beams, "I am not
going to talk that language. If I don't understand it, how will you?' SRK scores
a point, and the audience giggles with wicked glee. See, see, the badshah's taking
on the Big B!
 |
| (Courtesy:www.desifans.com) |
The new
host's grace and style, his on-court mannerisms are all calculated to please the
new generation that grandpa Bachchan couldn't touch. 'Yo!', 'Dude', and affectionate
shortened nicknames for participants are all part of his weaponry. This
is SRK as you never knew him, and didn't know existed. There's less focus on his
dimples, and more on his felicity with different Indian languages. "Wow!
Look at him rattling away in Bangla!" SRK's
swiftly mopping up the points. Unfortunately,
right now, Bachchan doesn't have a platform to retaliate, even though there have
been grumblings about poached territory and snide remarks and snubs at parties
to indicate that the original host has not taken kindly to the usurper. If
Bachchan brought dignity and charm with old world ease of pace to the show, SRK
seems to be aiming at the exact opposite. No locking of eyes for interminable
seconds with hesitating participants for him. He's excitable, and quickens the
pace for the participant too. A moment of hesitation, and the new host is willing
to offer a hug and handshake, and move on to the next participant. Even
if he tries to show otherwise, his involvement is more with himself than the person
on the hot seat. The participants seem to be there to bring out yet another amazing
facet of the King Khan. How long can he keep up the energy, one wonders. The
brand placements this time are more aggressive too. The bland computerji has given
way to a living, breathing brand - Compaq da. The cheques are now Union Bank of
India, and Tag Heuers exchange hands. What next? Will SRK offer Sunfeast biscuits
to nervous participants. One would not be surprised.
Star Plus
may have aimed for and secured a whole lot of new audiences with the SRK brand.
The brands have got their spotlight, and Khan has consolidated his position by
storming our living rooms. But has the show (it's a quiz show, remember?) gained,
changed or bettered in any way? Will it succeed in turning our minds away from
mindless 'reality shows' to boning up on general knowledge to match wits with
Mr Computer? Not
likely. From gawking at Bhojpuri film stars and item numbers, we will just turn
our gawking stares to celebrities on other channels. That's all Indian television
seems to be about, today. Thus
far in the game, then, it appears to be 'ad'vantage SRK.
****
Couch
potato's puzzle of the week - Why should cartoon channels beam promos
of Sahara One's Ghar... Ek Sapna, that deals with the theme of forced marriages
and unhappy brides? If Cartoon Network is targeting the toddlers' mothers, can't
it find another platform? (The
views expressed here are those of the author and indiantelevision.com need not
necessarily subscribe to the same) | 
