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Dial One, previously hosted by Mandira Bedi and Aman Verma, now has a new look. And there's no better way to overhaul a show than hand the reins to Shekhar Suman, the man Business Standard recently crowned the most popular face on television:
When asked how it feels to replace Aman Verma in Dial One, Shekhar says, "I don't think I am replacing anybody. I am too well-known a person to replace anybody. I am doing an entirely new show, where Aman is not a part of things. This is newly programmed, and I have just handled two days of it. I haven't come with the idea of replacing anybody. I think I have my own place."
Explaining the differences between both shows, he adds, "The new show begins with all participants who have won their prizes already. They have to defend the prizes. There are seven questions asked, of which the participant has to answer six correctly. They keep losing a prize for every wrong answer. You start with the highest prize, a car, then the jewellery set and so on. In the end, if you get just one right answer and a DVD player, you still have the option of swapping the gift with four briefcases -- which could contain anything between Rs 5,000 and Rs 5,00,000!"
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On doing a live show, he says, "I am used to hosting a live show. I have done it for Doordarshan; I hosted one of the National Award shows. Last year, I was under contract with ESPN to do live commentary. I hadn't done any live show in the entertainment area, and that was a new experience. The live screening is the real reason why I did this show. Making a mistake and then covering it up live -- that's the real thrill!"
Ask him about being the most popular face on television, and Shekhar talks about connecting with people. "I think I have done my job honestly and diligently, with a certain degree of fearlessness. On television, you connect with millions at one time. I have been here for about 13 years and have been consistently voted as popular. I think I am doing a good job. It's a great feeling (to win), your responsibilities increase as an actor, and I think you need to do even better work and give more love and attention to the audience."
He takes constant digs at actors and politicians on The Great Indian Comedy Show. Shekhar feels that "people are used to it. This is something I started way back in 1997 with Movers & Shakers. People know it's a slightly wicked show; it appeals to your meaner side. And it teaches you to laugh at yourself. Therefore I haven't had any problems with the style."
He's also enjoyed judging The Great Indian Laughter Challenge. "It was a great experience to be on this side of the fence, watching great talents, and being able to judge them fairly. Being fair was my utmost priority, and I think there is a huge reservoir of talent in this country that needed to be tapped. I am so happy I was part of the show."
Some rumours about the show irritate him, like his alleged differences with co-anchor Navjot Singh Sidhu. "I don't know where the rumours have been floating from. If we didn't get along well, believe me, Sidhu won't be sitting there. I think I have enough clout in the television industry to make sure who sits next to me. Sidhu, in fact, was one of my choices when they came to me for the show. We are good friends. He is a great guy, and a good orator. I think just because he laughs too much and I don't, people are spreading these rumours."
Shekhar is often told to do more films, because of his great comic timing. "It's not just my timing, I think I am as talented, if not more, as far as other aspects of acting are concerned. It is just that at the end of the day, people like comedy shows. I started off as a serious actor with Utsav, and I think I should revert to that style of acting. I think I have done a bit of comedy and enjoyed it, and people enjoyed it too, and I have to get back to movie acting assignments."
Indeed, he does have a few film projects at hand. "I am doing three movies. One is Moonlight, with Perizaad Zorabian. The film is by a new producton house, Pittie. It's a beautiful love story that takes place overnight between an ad executive and an actress. They can't see each other too well, but, by morning, they are planning to marry. Then there is Tussi Great Ho Paaji starring me, Navjot Sidhu and (comedian) Omar Shariff from Pakistan."
The third film is closest to Shekhar's heart. "It's currently untitled, and is about a father-son relationship where the son is terminally ill." Shekhar explains why the theme is important to him. "It's more autobiographical. I lost my son when he was at an early age. The film is more or less based on my life. We are still working on the cast and have shortlisted a few directors."