Shah Rukh Khan is a well known name not only in India but also in abroad. He kick started his acting career with Fauzi in 1988 and now his production company Red Chillies Idiot Box is making a new show named ‘Ghar Ki Baat Hai’ to be aired on NDTV Imagine. We get into a candid chat with the superstar of the entertainment hub.
Q. Why have you opted for the word ‘idiot box’ as the name of your production house as it is a slang?
A. No, I don’t consider it as slang. Idiot is an American word which is quite often used for television I think Red Chillies Entertainment sounds a bit ok types, so to make it more interesting and eye catchy and to bring in curiosity amongst people we used the word ‘idiot box’.
Q. ‘Ghar ki Baat Hai’ show is how much related to ‘your ghar ki baat’?
A. (jokes) Indian television is still not that fund sufficient that it can afford to make my ghar ki baat. Yes, there are many things which are related to my ghar ki baat too. The naughtiness of my children and stuffs have also been incorporated in the show because yeh to Ghar Ki Baat Hai.”
Q. Will you be making any special appearance in the show?
A. Yes, if there is a need then definitely I’ll be seen in the show. The directors believe that my appearance brings in high T.R.P. but unfortunately it did not happened in my last.
Q. Why have you chosen sitcom? What type of shows do you like watching on television?
A. I personally love watching comedy shows a lot like Sarabhai Vs. Sarabhai and Khichadi which are one of my favorites. Comedy has always been an entertaining zone and people really like them as such shows make their ribs tickle.
Q. Slumdog Millionaire has been nominated for the Oscars. What do you think about the film? Do you regret not doing the movie?
A. I think it’s a brilliant movie and I am really happy that Indian cinema has attained new heights from this movie. It is not a question about regretting or not regretting but I think I would have been no match of what Anil Kapoor has performed in this film. I am really happy for him. He has done a fabulous job and has done justice to the role which wasn’t possible for me.
Q. Do you think this is the right time to enter the television Industry, as the competition is at its best these days?
A. I don’t go on time; it’s simply that if you want to do something whole heartedly it should be done. I am always ready for a healthy competition as it helps you to reach new heights.
Q. You kick started with television and after ages you are back to square one. What do you have to say about that?
A. I started my career with Fauzi in 1988. Then I did Circus in 1989. That marked my television career. After sometime I jumped to movies and then my television career almost came to an end. Later in life I again got back to television to host a few shows. ‘Ghar Ki Baat’ is being produced by Red Chillies Idiot Box and I sincerely feel its back to square one.
Q. Aziz Mirza and Ananth Mahadevan have always been close associates to you. Now Aziz is the creative head of the show and Ananth is the director and you are the producer of the show.
A. It was always a pleasure to work with both these gentlemen. Ananth has always been referred as my ‘on-screen papa’, all thanks to Baazigar. Aziz is really ‘aziz’ to me. When I was new to the Industry, he held my hand and I sincerely thank him for whatever I am today. I am very much relaxed because I know both of them and I know they will do great work for Red Chillies Idiot Box.
-Shruti Didwaniya
