Q. So you’ve been preparing for KBC?
A. Yes, just getting the technique right. There’s a way the game has to be played. For instance, I am not supposed to know the answers. If I know it, I know it. But when someone loses, you feel bad. If they don’t win, they should at least feel nice about themselves. It’s quite nerve-wracking. And so far, I’ve not even done a trial
with actual money.Q. This is not the first time you’ve contemplated television.
A. No. I’ve had discussions before with Sameer (Nair) for an adventure show called Josh, with Pradeep Guha for Zee for Kam Ya Zyada. Even, a long time ago, with Pritish Nandy and then with Mukul Anand on a series call Dus. Ashutosh Gowariker even made the first episode for us. But everything fell into place only for KBC. I’m shooting a film for the next six months in Mumbai. It’s my own production. Farah (Khan) is directing. The set is ready. It’s in Film City, bang opposite Star’s KBC set. The KBC format is already there-a clear-cut, successful, classy, wonderful formula, whether it’s because of Siddhartha (Basu), Star or mostly Mr Bachchan. What’s more, I like question and answers, and I like people.
Q. Is there something to the rivalry between the Shahenshah and the Badshah?
A. See, there’s something to it now because for one and a half years, there’s no other level of competitive talk left. You’ve talked about the three Khans, you’ve talked about Hrithik Roshan destroying Shah Rukh Khan, or Abhishek Bachchan destroying X,Y,Z, and there are two constants left. There’s Mr Bachchan, 100 per cent the longest lasting superstar and will always be. I don’t think I’ll ever touch that. If I do, wonderful. And then there’s me, who’s been there for 17 years, which is not a short time.
Q. But then why do Don? Why add to the rivalry?
A. I’m not adding to anything. People are making millions of remakes. I’ve made Devdas already. There are certain films which I would love to do. Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron, for instance, why not? I saw Chashme Buddoor yesterday. Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman was Shri 420. Baazigar was Trishul gone a little meaner. Why is it that in the West we never hear of comparisons between two actors? Have you ever heard anyone comparing Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise? Or Sean Connery or Anthony Hopkins.
Q. So are you saying we in the media are obsessed with this rivalry?
A. No. I am saying we as a culture like comparisons. Q. Have you ever talked about it to Mr Bachchan?
A. No. We’ve always ignored it-by him being gracious and me being respectful. But I’m with the family. I go there out of turn. I go there on birthdays, Abhishek comes home. We spent some time in Malaysia recently and Abhishek very sweetly gave me tips on KBC. And I find it strange that I have to clarify my position and say that I know these people really well. It’s so stupid. They’re giving it a political twang, which is even sillier by virtue of Mr Bachchan having been in politics at some point. He was a politician at a certain time at around the age I am now and people assume that I want to be a politician. Do I need to be any closer to people? I live in their hearts. You can’t last so long otherwise. If you ask me, it’s all right. I wish Amitji works till he’s 120 years old and I wish I work till I’m 65, and I’m continually compared to him, which means both of us are doing rather well. I pray for him not to ever give up work.
Q. Do these comparisons with other actors irk you?
A. I say this sadly, but I’ve not had a year when somebody’s not supposedly replacing me. It’s so strange. You get called King Khan, Badshah, King of Bollywood, Shahenshah-sorry Shahenshah is Amitji-and yet… . The first five-six years I felt I had made it when they compared me to Salman and Aamir. We were the ASS-Aamir, Salman, Shah Rukh. Our destinies were attached somehow and now we’re friends. I feel honoured being compared to Mr Bachchan also. Maybe, I should not do a Devdas or a Don. I should just say f*** it.
Q. What about your association with the Gandhis and Mukesh Ambani?
A. See, I’ve known Priyanka Gandhi’s husband for a long time. I had known her husband’s brother eight years before I left Delhi. We used to ride on the same scooter. Does that mean I want to join politics? When I meet Mukesh Ambani, does that mean I want to make steel, or iron or whatever? I like Lakshmi Mittal. When he was in Goa, he left his boat for a day for my kids to jet ski. Why not talk about that? I’m too capitalistic, too materialistic, and love myself in the mirror too much to go out there in the heat and dust and sit on top of a bus and tell people perhaps what I don’t believe in. Just because I dance-that too badly-does not mean I can be a politician. I don’t know how to be in touch with my audience; how can I know the problems of the country?
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