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Meet the man behind Big B's BIG words on KBC
Ever wondered how Amitabh Bachchan managed to come up with chaste and complex Hindi words like 'Panchkoti Mahamoney' and names like 'Ghadiyal Babu' and 'Shrimati Tiktiki' on his gameshow Kaun Banega Crorepati?
It's really all thanks to writer RD Tailang.
The man behind the iconic catch phrases on KBC, Tailang has written dialogues/scripts for many awards functions and films such as Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani.
He spoke to Rajul Hegde about his stint on KBC, penning dialogues for Bachchan, and even the show's former host Shah Rukh Khan.
How did you come on board with KBC?
When I first met Siddharth Basu (producer of KBC), I was writing for Shekhar Suman's Movers and Shakers on Sony Entertainment Television.
After a couple of meetings and discussions, we decided to work together. Who Wants To Be A Millionaire was a popular game show and we Indianised it as Kaun Banega Crorepati.
The brief given to me was to make sure every single episode had a catchy beginning and a memorable end. The phrases had to be catchy and not too preachy.
'I thought we should treat the computer like a real person'
How did you come up with words like 'Computerji', 'Gadhiyal Babu' etc?
A computer is a machine -- I thought we should treat it like a character, a real person. So we added the human element to it.
It started with the word 'computerji' and since viewers liked it, we came up with new words 'Ghadiyal Babu' and 'Shrimati Tiktiki.'
Ghadiyal Babu and his wife Shrimati Tiktiki have now given birth to Sui Mui (needle) for the new season (chuckles).
'With the kind of personality and skill he has, it wasn't easy to write a script for Mr Bachchan'
How challenging was it to write a script for Mr Bachchan?
With the kind of personality and skill he has, it wasn't easy. It was a huge challenge. He has an excellent command over both English and Hindi. His diction and pronunciation is perfect.
With him, even a line like 'Yun gaya aur yun aaya' becomes effective. He greets viewers with a 'namashkar, adaab, satsri akaal, abhinandan' and takes us back to our roots.
Earlier, the youthful greeting was in Hinglish as on MTV and Channel V. Now it's different all thanks to KBC and Mr Bachchan because he urges viewers to follow rules but in a philosophical way.
We write the script but Mr Bachchan's involvement in the show is huge because once the game starts, everything is impromptu.
'I get goose bumps every time I meet Mr Bachchan'
How do you decide what catchphrases to use on the show?
Shortlisted catchphrases are used during the KBC rehearsals (a few days before the actual shooting) and tested. The team decides the best ones.
I think the entire team should get the credit for it.
What's been your experience of working with Amitabh Bachchan?
I get goose bumps every time I meet Mr Bachchan. I have the same kind of excitement when I meet a superstar for the first time.
He is a learned person. Sometimes he gives his suggestions and the script is modified. If the script goes without any modification, that is the biggest compliment of the day for me.
'Mr Bachchan is like an elder brother and SRK like a friend'
What is your equation with him?
He is friendly, humorous and intelligent. You always look up to him because of his age and personality.
I always try to maintain a distance because I don't want to cross my limit.
Initially, when I started writing the script for KBC, I was a bit carless about punctuation. Mr Bachchan warned me thrice but it continued. So he called me and said, 'Zindagi main kisi galti ko time pe theek na kiya jaaye, toh dheere dheere voh aadat ban jaati hai. Galti aasani se theek ho jaati hai lekin aadat badi mushkil se theek ho paati hai. (If you don't correct your mistake at the right time, it becomes a habit. Mistakes can be rectified easily but habits take a lot of time and effort to correct).
I have been very careful after that; those words have been an inspiration and the motto of my life.
Getting an opportunity to write for Mr Bachchan is a big thing for any writer. To continue writing for 12 long years is like getting an Oscar award.
How different was it working with Shah Rukh Khan, who briefly hosted KBC?
The difference lies in their personalities. Shah Rukh was more youthful, chatty, friendly and made people laugh.
Mr Bachchan is like an elder brother and SRK like a friend.