'Sach Ka Saamna' for Manoj Muntashir
The writing is one the wall: 'Sach Ka Saamna' is a smash hit. Despite criticism from a few quarters, the show has been accepted by the Indian viewer.
The key factor for its success is its format and of course, its charming host Rajeev Khandelwal. However, as always success also hinges on people who work tirelessly behind the camera. Manoj Muntashir is the writer of the show. But he is among the unsung heroes.
The writer has worked with the likes of Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan in 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' series. He's also done Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.
In this exclusive conversation, we put forth some tricky questions to Muntashir. Let's see how he fares. By the way, we don't have any polygraph test! Well, we leave it to the viewers to read between the lines.
What is the role of a writer in a show like Sach ka saamna?
Among all the shows that I've done, Sach ka saamna requires maximum contribution from a writer. My principal task here is to be a link between Rajeev (Khandelwal) and the audience. I'm connected to him through a head set. I have to ensure that Rajeev never gets judgmental in his approach. I write the opening and ending lines for him.
Rajeev always begins the show with the same line. Aren't efforts made for him to be given different scripts?
We don't do that when we have rollover contestants. Otherwise Rajeev is given opening scripts. However, we have closing lines when each contestant finishes with the game. Also, one must not forget we have to make a show in just 22 minutes. There are 21 questions and it's always our endeavour to ask as many questions in those 22 minutes.
You've worked with Amitabh and Shah Rukh. How does Rajeev fare as a host vis--vis them?
It will be unfair to make such comparisons because Sach ka saamna is a completely different show. Here, it's just not about hosting. Rajeev dedicates nearly 8-10 hours in the profiling of these contestants. It's very important for Rajeev to act like a friend to the contestant. For that he must know every minute detail of the contestant and his family. It's only then that a contestant will open up to him.
Can you elaborate on the process before a contestant takes to the hot seat? Are other family members told to expect tricky questions?
Firstly, there's a complete profiling of these contestants. Then that's followed by the polygraph test. Well, we don't inform anything to the family members. It's the contestant who can inform his/her family members as to what questions he/she was asked during the polygraph test. It's the creative team who formulates the final 21 questions.
Critics allege that the show is all scripted. Also, contestants are taking to the show not because they're being honest but for the money.
Well, we knew will face these allegations but frankly speaking, I can tell you that not one contestant is coming to us for money. They may not earn a single penny, but they're leaving the sets as content souls. Critics may be under the impression that people are flocking to our show but that's far from the truth. In my entire career, this is one show where it's been really difficult to get people in. Among all the people we invited barely, 10 per cent of them accepted our invitation. Thus we laud the few who've had the courage to take part in our show.
From the look it, can we say that only people who lead dubious lives make for perfect candidates on Sach ka saamna?
No, I don't agree with you. I sincerely believe that each human being has a story to tell. There'll be some who have led a normal life but they could be asked a completely unexpected question. For instance, our first contestant Smitha Mathai was asked whether she ever felt the need to kill her husband. To which she answered yes (which was the correct answer). However, if you notice we barely have four to five tricky questions and most of them only come into play in the latter half of the show.
However, Yusuf Hussain was asked more than four tricky questions.
As for Mr.Yusuf, he's lived a colourful life. He must be lauded for showing courage to accept facts like that of sleeping with a girl younger than his daughter.
Will we get to see more celebrities on the show?
No, because majority of them refused to come. We've only had Vinod Kambli,
Raja Chaudhary, Urvashi Dholakia and Bobby Darling. We also invited politicians but they flatly refused.
Speaking of politicians, some of them filed a case demanding that your show be banned.
All I have to say is that the people have a right to watch shows of their choice and it should be respected. As long as the people want to see, Sach ka saamna it is here to stay.
Thus far most contestants have failed and all of them have fallen to a question which they are surprised by the polygraph test. That fuels speculation that the polygraph test can be manipulated.
Well, that's the nature of the show. In all countries where Moment of truth is played there have been very few winners. As for your second question well we knew we would face this allegation. That's why we hired the same people who conduct the test in The Moment of truth.
Polygraph tests don't stand in the court of law. So, how can one constitute that as a truth in a reality show?
Well, that's true but in a court it's a matter of someone's life or death. So, a judge has to be convinced 100 per cent before issuing a judgment. Here it's just a reality show.
Interestingly, as per surveys, the ratings of the show are high in the rural belt than the urban areas. Are you surprised by this?
Yes we are pleasantly surprised. We're meeting our target in urban areas but it's the rural homes, especially the housewives who are watching our show. That gives us a sense of achievement.
Have contestants lost their cool during the show?
Not a single one. They've all left happily from the show. Some cynics feared that a contestant's relationship will be affected with his dear ones. On the contrary, the show has managed to bring people together. Despite his dark confessions, Yusuf Hussain's daughter still maintained that her father has nothing to be ashamed of.
How did Raja Chaudhary conduct himself in the show?
He was completely fine. Raja was asked quite a few personal questions but he answered all of them with composure.
Speaking of celebs wasn't it wrong on the makers' part to leak details (video footage) of Kambli's episode to a news channel?
I'm not the right person to comment on this. We were upset as to how this leak happened. The media also hyped things around Kambli. If you had watched the episode we only asked Kambli whether he felt any discrimination in his career. We never asked whether the selectors discriminated against him.
Apparently, it's rumoured that Kambli was paid a handsome amount for his appearance on the show. Other celebs too are alleged to be having been paid a good amount.
This is completely bogus. These celebs never charged a penny. They volunteered to come on their own. Besides, they haven't got a single penny other than the amount which they must have won.
Finally, would you like to be a contestant on Sach ka saamna?
No. One needs to be courageous for it. I'm happy working behind the camera.
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