When Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, the host of game show India Poochega - Sabse Shaana Kaun?, declared it a show “of the common people, by the common people and for the common people”, he also revealed his hosting strategy.
Khan, no stranger to hosting prize-giving ceremonies and games, knows his biggest strength is his ability to charm women and men both. Unflinchingly chipper, Khan used that to his full advantage on the first episode of India Poochega… as two teams battled it out to take home Rs10 million (Dh593,164) on the newly launched &TV on Monday night.
Kissing the contestants’s hands, making cheeky remarks when they struggled to give answers and nimbly weaving himself into the spectator stands — Khan flashed his dimples and was more than happy to be kissed by the eager women in the audience. It worked to a large extent because Khan has an innate ability to make you feel like you are part of his exclusive gang. Perhaps what also worked in his favour is that he’s the first one to host this show and does not have a template set by another host.
When the Happy New Year star took over the hosting baton from the legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan for Kaun Banega Crorepati, India’s answer to Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, in 2007, he had big shoes to fill. His easy, laid-back attitude was diametrically opposite to KBC perennial host Bachchan who is all about gravitas. While Bachchan was diplomatic and dignified, Khan’s boy-next-door persona was a shocking contrast, making it somehow difficult for regular viewers to get used to him. He lasted one season.
But here in India Poochega…, Khan is in charge from the word go. Tweaking his iconic dialogues from his blockbusters such as “Ready, Steady Po” (from Chennai Express) and “show abhi baakhi hai dost” (The show is far from over friends, from Om Shanti Om), a suited-up Khan got the show on the road. When one of his female contestants took too long to decide on who should be shooting questions, he quipped: “I am not asking you to marry one of these guys. They are just going to ask you a question.”. His barbs were rarely mean and served as a good social lubricant.
Khan exhausted every tool in his kitty to make the first show memorable as he peppered the show with a succinct show-dance spectacle.
And naturally, if all else failed: Khan — the eternal Bollywood lover boy — knew he had to just stretch his arms wide and have this moony expression on his face to win the crowd over. Fortunately, he didn’t need to abuse it here. I’d watch the show again.
