Will ‘KBC’ and ‘Koffee with Karan’ go to NDTV?

The buzz is that STAR’s two new high profile shows “Kaun Banega Crorepati” (KBC) and “Koffee With Karan” will follow their mentors Samir Nair and Karan Johar respectively into NDTV’s soon-to-be-launched entertainment channel.

But Johar dismisses the strong rumours doing the rounds.

“How can that be? My relationship with STAR during the first season of ‘Koffee…’ has been fantastic. At the same time my association with NDTV is my future on television. Let’s see how it goes. I don’t want to jump the gun and make plans for the future. ‘Koffee With Karan’ is a STAR brand-show,” said Johar, who is currently in Dubai promoting his chat show.

As for Nair’s move to join NDTV, Johar said: “Prannoy Roy, who’s the man behind NDTV, is a great visionary. I’m proud to be part of NDTV. As for Nair, he’s a tremendously intelligent man. He has proven himself time and again in the world of television. And I’m sure he’ll be a winner in whatever he does.”

Fatigued, he brightened as he watched his closest friend Shah Rukh Khan on KBC 3.

“I haven’t been on the set to watch him shoot. But I did his clothes on KBC. I just hope my ‘Koffee…’ matches up to the high standards set by Shah Rukh. We’ve put in our best. This time around I’m far more relaxed with the format. I’m hoping I’m less worried with my guests. I’m no longer a debutant.”

Johar sees 2007 as one of his busiest years.

“Not just busy but also a very different year. Because television getspriority.”

Does he like his new role as a TV tycoon?

“Television is the future. Anyone in the visual media is advised to take the plunge. I’m happy to have my talk show on one channel and the privilege of making software for another channel.

“I was lucky to get the opportunity to get into TV ahead of my colleagues. And that NDTV, a channel I really respect, considered me good enough for their entertainment channel, is really flattering for me. Because at the end of the day, I’m not a TV person. I’m a filmmaker.”

He singled out Shah Rukh as the pioneer on television.

“Even before he became a superstar in the movies he was a well-known name on television. So, he’s come full circle. Shah Rukh is an entertainer and a warm, emotional human being. That combination will succeed tremendously in KBC.

“I’ve seen how he interacts with all his loyal fans. Shah Rukh is very confident on television. As for me, I want to entertain on both television and in cinema. I’m full of ideas.”

Would he make feature films for television?

“Whatever they want me to do on NDTV I’ll do for them. But telefilms? No! I don’t think so. The two mediums are totally exclusive. Television is for talk shows, game shows and etc. I’ll make feature films only for the big screen. I’ll make software for NDTV. With Shah Rukh doing television that sense of television being cinema’s poor cousin is gone.

“If you ask me, my brand value has tripled after my talk show on television. More people want to see my films because they see me on television. It’s a communication medium of instant gratification. I love it.

“But cinema is my first love. I’ve enough time to take care of both mediums. As a filmmaker, I’ve my own directorial venture this year. Then there’s my associate Tarun Mansukhani’s film and an animation film.”

Johar always wants to be on the move.

“I’ve learnt one thing from my father. Never put your feet up. How can they be up? They should always be on the ground for walking. There’s always time to do more.”

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