Salman Khan unplugged Author: Amul Sharma Date: 05 Jun 2008
The actor turned telly host talks about 10 Ka Dum and all other things controversial People perceive Salman Khan as being moody. Ironically, on the day I set out to meet him at RK Studios in Chembur, the weather turned unpredictable too and untimely rains poured down on me (but didn't dampen my spirit).
I walked in to meet the actor on Sony Entertainment's new game show 10 Ka Dum; soaking wet (some of it may have been sweat). I had a list of not-so-nice questions and was hoping Sallu would be nice about it. In my head, I played out what he would do if I asked him an impertinent question. Throw me out or throw something at me. But my fears were unfounded. The actor was well... nice. He joked, he winked and yes, his eyes spoke when I asked him uncomfortable questions. But all in all, it was all good and gravy. Read on…
For 10 Ka Dum, were you in touch with Drew Carey the host of Power Of Ten? No, what rubbish! I have seen the show but have never been in touch with him. I mean, why would I be? I saw the concept and the way show panned out and liked it immensely and that's how I got on board. I am a part of 10 Ka Dum because of its simplicity and minimalism. There was also a rumour that Shah Rukh trained me for the show which again is not true.
Why do a television show at the peak of your career? I am doing this show for many reasons. One, my fans can get up, close and personal with me through the medium of television. And two, they can watch me on TV every week without spending any money. There is no gyaan or other such stuff required to be a part of this show. The only requirement is the contestants know what the majority of people in India are thinking. Even if you lose, it's not awkward for them; because we are not testing their knowledge or their intelligence. It's just that you could not guess the percentage right. And it is not possible that anyone will know everything in this world.
Have you been offered anything prior to 10 Ka Dum on television? Yes, I think I was offered that Fear Factor show. I didn't want to do it because there was too much hard work required to just host that show. I personally think Akshay is the right choice for that show. He has started training and getting into shape for the show.
Do you watch television regularly? Yes, I watch TV more than regularly. I watch whatever comes on TV. I am not very particular about what I watch. Whatever my family or friends are watching, I go and join them and see whatever is on. I hate this channel surfing thing. I can't stand that. Whatever is on I let it run and I don't mess around with the remote.
What according to you is good TV? 10 Ka Dum.
What you call 10 Ka Dum a reality show or a mere game show? I have no idea how to term the show. I think I would take it as a feature film that I am doing and that's going to release on TV every Friday and Saturday with contestants in stead of actors; bonding with them and feeling happy for the money they win. I am dying to give away money. Even people at Sony want to give away money, they too want people to win. Most of the other shows don't want people to win handsomely.
What's the format of the game? To start with, two people play 'best of five'. Whoever answers the most questions correctly goes on to play the mega game for 10 crores. You have a window of like 40% on the first question and if the answer matches the public opinion, they move on to the next question. From every other question, the window keeps on closing by 10% till the last one.
How much of creative input have you brought to the show? All I am giving to the show is me, that's it. The format is an international format and I am not touching that. Between the guidelines and format and the rules of the show, I can look like a total idiot, or come across as the nicest guy or the meanest guy, but it's all me. Pure uncut Salman Khan. Whatever people will see of me here on the show is the same I am at home in my living room. There is no acting involved. There is no jhol-jhaal. It is just a straight and honest me you will see.
You were rehearsing the show with family and friends, right? Initially, for the first few days, when I got on board, I practised the format with family and friends and then I got the hang of it so fast that I stopped rehearsing it.
Did you feel that TV is a comedown for a big film star? No, Why? Who says TV is a comedown? Do people actually say that? If they do, then they are nothing but d***heads. TV has saved so many lives, there are so many channels and so many shows. People watch them in the comfort of their houses. They don't have to set a foot out to get entertainment. There is enough money is this business. A lot of actors who couldn't get into movies are today doing TV and don't want to work in movies no more; because they are making ample money on television. For the hours TV is on, log lights off kar dete hai lekin TV on rakhte hain.
Hrithik is also making his small screen debut on the same day with another channel. Comment It is unfair to compare Hrithik to me. He is like a brother, he is like Sohail to me, yaar. He is a super kid. If his TRP ratings are higher than mine, I will be the happiest person. I have spent a lot of time with Duggs (Hrithik's pet name is Duggu). I have trained him for his first film. I mean what better than a younger guy coming on TV and his TRP being better than mine?
Do you feel embarrassed when women on the show want to hug you and kiss you and say that they love you? Why should I feel embarrassed! Do you feel embarrassed when women do that to you?
Me: No.
Salman: You like it? Me: Yes.
Salman: Then why should feel like that bro? All my fans whenever they see me and I am not talking about the show they hug me and kiss me and say that they love me. That shit happens all the time. You have a very generous image in the industry; will you give away gifts like SRK used to give away watches? It is very strange that till now I have not given anything to the contestants or even the audiences coming to see the show. As a matter of fact, they are the ones who are getting small tokens of appreciation for me when they come to play the game. They have come here to make money because they need the money, and they are the ones who are giving me gifts! How amazing is that! As far as Shah Rukh Khan giving away watches on KBC goes, let me tell you on record that it was my idea. I told Shah Rukh to do that. It is a Salman Khan thing to do!
Did you come up with some funny, interesting catchphrases for the show? We use chhaap na and chhaap do! That's all I am using in the show and yes you can call it catchphrases if you want.
Other games shows have these lifelines for their contestants, do you have the same in 10 Ka Dum? No. Out here you answer the questions correctly and you go on the next round and win ten fold. You answer a question wrong, you are out of the game there and then.
You have been on KBC3 with SRK, will you invite Shah Rukh for your show? I don't know. Whatever the Sony people decide, I am cool with it. I am not sure if Shah Rukh is going to come to the show though because he is doing a show on another channel and it could be a clash of interests.
Did you prefer Amitabh Bachchan as the host of KBC or Shah Rukh Khan? I think both of them are damn good. Amitji has his own style, as does Shah Rukh. But my real inspiration for 10 Ka Dum is Govinda. He did a show a long time ago called Jeeto Chappad Phaadke and he was fantastic back then. I am basically trying to follow Chi Chi's footsteps. I am trying to make it more a mixture of classes and masses and funnier.
Have you seen Paanchvi Pass? What do you think of it? No, buddy. Haven't got a chance to catch it as yet as I was in Australia shooting for Main Aur Mrs Khanna. But I am sure Shah Rukh is doing a very good job with the show. If it is not done well, it is because of the whole IPL fever.
Which team where you rooting for in the IPL? For Preity Zinta's team (Kings XI Punjab).
What was your take on the whole Ponds controversy surrounding Arbaaz's second marriage? The tabloid made a big deal out of it and were made to look like idiots. Before knowing the basic facts, they started writing about it. Finally, to clear their own wrongdoing, they started putting Arbaaz and Malaika down. The Ponds thing was a good thing, it is good for people to remarry each other but because the media blew it out of proportion, they had to clear their own stuff. People started to say that they were doing it for the money. It was ridiculous! When we give away so much of money, we won't do it for money.
Now, you are apparently the highest paid actor in Bollywood. Is it true? I always was! By far, I am the highest paid actor.
How much do you charge for a movie? The latest figure is 50 crores! (Winks!) Whoever is the next best, I charge five times more than him! It's not me, it is my fans. They go and watch my movies and now I am giving something back to them. I am going to their houses with 10 Ka Dum. I am going to come into people's houses, their bedrooms but won't sleep, I would come into people's kitchens but won't even drink a glass of water. But I will be there in each and every one of my fans' houses.
Are you taking a dig at Akshay Kumar when you say that? (Silence)
Your thoughts on Bollywood blogging, you are blogging too? I am not blogging. I am writing! I know that right now all the blogs I have written have been on 10 Ka Dum but soon I am going to start writing about my personal stuff too. I am writing on Being Human now!
How many years is your contract for the show? I am doing three seasons right now after that we will see how we want to go about it.
How much are you getting paid for the show? (Winks and says nothing!)
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Edited by radhana - 16 years ago
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