'I am actually a farmer..' Annu Kapoor

I am on the sets of Star One's Antakshari- The Great Challenge to meet the one and only Annu Kapur, who has delighted viewers with his rather off beat anchoring style for twelve long years. So much so, that Annu and Antakshari are almost synonymous in the Indian context.

He reveals, rather nonchalantly, "I am actually a farmer, I don't know how I landed here! I love to grow mogras and look after my mango orchards in Badlapur." It's extremely difficult pinning him down, as Annu loves to philosophise, find meaning in simple things, and counter question things we take for granted. "I love to read Osho Rajneesh who had a different perspective to all things in life, and when you read Mein Kampf You discover that Hitler was actually a painter."

For me this perhaps sums up Annu's success formula in life, which is to 'look beyond the obvious.' Much credit goes to him for converting 'a national time pass called Antakshari into a charting busting musical game show.

"I am a patriot actually, and I love it when contestants relive our Indian culture by choosing to sing old classics," he says.

A highly charged person, Annu's full of life on the sets of Antakshari. Exuberant to the point of being overwhelming, extremely restless, one moment you find him vehemently thumping his hand to get across a point and the next perhaps break into a jig.

Excerpts of a interview with Annu Kapur.

You've been associated with Antakshari for more than a decade now. What gives you the energy to keep going?
Music gives me energy. I believe it's God gift to mankind. It's a stimulant for many people and personally I think music contributes a lot to our lives. In the olden days, there were some coummunities which banned music but then they didn't grow.

This is really your second innings on the show. How differently are you to project yourself this time?
Ab mein boodha ho gaya hun… (I am old now) (laughs). I am 51 now, and find it very difficult to jump on the sets, come on my knees and do all the stunts to keep the show going. But, of course, I am enjoying myself to the hilt. It's a different part of my professional phase of my life. Its about doing things to the best of ones ability. I love to emote on the sets, cry, laugh, dance and just be myself. I get a high when the contestants perform well and display their knowledge about the Indian culture and traditions.

Are you finding it difficult to cope up with the schedules?
Oh, we have very tight schedules. The auditions happen over Monday and Tuesday. We shoot on Tuesday and Wednesday as the episode goes on-air by Friday. It's a great challenge to find the right contestants to play the game, who have the right musical talent and knowledge.

Whom would you attribute your success as a host Antakshari?
I share an extremely good chemistry with Gajendra Singh. I think this has helped me a long way into making the show what it is today. I am more of an elder brother to him. He respects me and takes my point of view. Also, I am a compulsive learner, I keep learning on the show. Probably at this point when I am chatting with you, I'll learn what is it that I should not be doing on the show.

But tell me is there a method in the madness? How much do you study and research to make sure that you get it right?
I try to concentrate on the larger picture. It's about adding in a new meaning to your existence. On the sets, its all about reacting and interacting with the contestants. I keep looking for moments on the show which can help us enhance the drama and movement. The 'ah ha' moment is when we find contestants who are knowledgeable and the audience responds spontaneously. I don't prepare so much for it, but I like to perform to the best of my ability. I tell myself that even if I have to clean a bathroom, then I should do it well. Or maybe join a political party… (chuckles) but then which political party I am not sure about that.

How do you look back at the journey so far?
I started my struggle at the age of 14. I was born in a slum and have seen the worst of poverty and travelled in bullock carts. I scored a record percentage of 93 per cent in my 10th, but somehow my father couldn't afford my college fees. I always dreamt of becoming a surgeon. But somehow acting just happened to me.

Surgeon, why is that?
In the small towns and villages of India, people respect doctors. I have heard people saying things like 'bhagwan ke baaad sirf aap ho' (it's only you after God). Even today, I wish I could be a surgeon.

What do you think of Zee TV's new show Antakshari?
Well, I don't watch television. So, I don't know what the show is like.

Come on, I am sure you've seen it, at least out of curiosity?
No, I really haven't seen it.

Were you scared to take up Star One's Antakshari?
The higher you climb, the fall can be that much greater. But mujhe yahain apni baat kahne ka mauka milta hain. (I get an opportunity to speak my heart out) As a creative person I thoroughly enjoy this show.

How involved are you creatively with the show?
Oh, to a large extent. We've added a new segment called Loose Control which was my idea. Also, there's a basic script but I don't really stick to it all the time. I add my own creative inputs.

Have you heard of reality shows like the Indian Idol and Fame Gurukul which are an attempt to look for the right singing talent in the country?
I wouldn't call them talent hunts, but these reality shows are all about how much business you can do; things are all set between the telephone operators and the channel. There could be just one person making more than 150 smses so then what are we talking about.