Mysorean

It was the King Khan’s first day at work. Tense and speaking thirteen to a dozen to cover it up, he tried to add a dash of confidence where there seemed to be none. And it all looked like a big mistake by Star to replace the legendary Bachchan with this present superstar Khan.

SRK, it seemed, went out of the way just to be a complete opposite of whatever AB was. Unfortunately, he also went on to break the norm that AB had set regarding dignity. The ‘petticoat’ joke though drew smiles initially, later showed that SRK was trying hard not-to-be-AB. SRK didn’t have to do that. AB was just being himself and SRK could have been himself and if that meant there were similarities then so be it. Why unnecessarily try to not-be something that you are anyway not?

For my part, I never wanted to compare SRK with AB when I sat down to watch the show. But I had a secret desire to see how better SRK handles the show. I was waiting to see his so-called on-screen charisma translating into this live show and the spontaneity translating into witty one-liners. That combination of charisma and wit combined with the boyish charm that he exudes would have done wonders to KBC. But alas! SRK tries hard to do something he doesn’t need to and fails miserably. And what more, he tries so much not to be AB that you end up comparing the two of them and that’s where the “miserably” failing part becomes a ”disgusting” failure. 

It is just been SRK’s first day and there might be accusations of being harsh about him thrown at me. But then, SRK is an established star and has his own fan base. Any Indian who has an interest in movies definitely knows about SRK and unless he is somebody born after 2000, he knows about AB too. There is no point in SRK trying to tell the audience that he is going to be different from AB in all aspects in such a loud manner. By doing that he is only hurting the honour that the show has because of AB. AB brought a quiet dignity to the show with his humility, dressing sense and impeccable use of both the languages (Hindi and English). There were shows when AB came on with a leather jacket and looked suave and sophisticated in that too. It was all in the manner in which AB carried himself. The show ran on his shoulders. Despite being a tremendously popular concept outside India, it needed a man of AB’s calibre to acutally transform it into an Indian show. The show also revealed (PS: revealed, not deliberately exposed) the emotional side of AB. AB was an icon to millions of Indians. Whenever the ‘Phone-a-friend’ lifeline was used, the awe for AB was displayed in the almost choked voices of the speaker on the other side. I remember in one episode, as soon as AB delivered his customary “Namaskar, main Amitabh Bachchan bol raha hun Koun Banega Crorepati se” the lady on the other side broke down. I guess the same would happen to me however prepared I would be for the call. God save my friend who choses me as his ‘friend’ for this show now, because I will just start off with telling SRK what exactly I think of him! And I might break down because of the way in which SRK has brought the honour and dignity of the show down. Not because he wanted to, but he because he wanted not to be like AB. I wonder if the producers of the show were sleeping during the time when SRK decided to take this route to his first episode.

SRK tries to customize the show to the background of his contestant and is not consistent with it. He begins to call the computer “Compaq da” because it is Prosenjit Sarkar (a Bengali) who is sitting at the other end. And as time passes, he calls it Mr. Computer and what not, but never “computerji” because that’s what AB used even if it came naturally to him. Then when it’s Mr. Guggala (an Andhraite) the computer’s name starts with ”Computer gaaru” to the usual anything but “computerji”. Not only does SRK play around with the computer’s names he makes fun of the contestant’s names too. But I should say he carefully treads that line without getting derogatory. But it isn’t as funny as he wants it to be. You would have laughed at the same jokes a hundred times before and it only gets tiring. Then comes the “jhappi” or “hug” or “gale lagna” that’s SRK’s new introduction to the game. But his comment about ”Quitting the game” (coined by AB) being negative was uncalled for. Hitting AB below the belt when he is not actually bothered is so derogatory for a star of SRK’s stature. SRK’s options for language are quite limited and hence he chose to say that I will use the language that suits the audience the best. Quite good for a sales pitch but the entire coutnry knows about AB’s impeccable langugage skills and his ability to handle both with superlative flair. SRK can only speak what he knows and this shows and he should have been silent about it and we would have understood and taken him at face value. Unnecessarily speaking one sentence in shuddh hindi and asking if anyone understood now went to the extent of hurting those who were KBC fans. Unnecessary and totally uncalled for. And don’t pull me into mentioning his comparison with George Clooney and saying “Kyon, hum mar gaye kya?”. Ok, that was a good one compared to all the other ones he tried to crack!

If SRK is allowed to go on in this fashion, KBC will fade into oblivion even if the prize money offered is more than Rs. 2 crores. SRK needs to take his own place and make the show his own by being himself rather than not-being-AB. It will only irritate viewers and take them away from the screen. And there is a danger of failure that exists. And that failure can take a heavy toll on SRK’s brand equity on-screen too. And that will have huge implications on the film industry’s fortunes. So, take care SRK. A lot is riding on you.       

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