Bachchan blog incites war of words against Shah Rukh Khan

Finally, it has happened! Amitabh Bachchan, India’s legendary actor, has succumbed to journalistic temptations; say some thing controversial and start a debate. Writing his blog, Friday, 9th May 2008, he initiated a debate, however, indirectly, on who’s greater? Me or SRK? He even used a graphics from TAM, Television Audience Measurement, to illustrate his point. Apparently, he's seeking opinion from his readers on his next move in presenting a tv programme. Readers took the cue. “Shahrukh Khan is the King…but you still are the Emperor,” commented Rasha Zayed from Cairo. Another wrote: why do you need to compare yourself with Mr. Shahrukh Khan? I just didn’t like this exercise of yours. India EU Film Initiative reflects on Big B's blogging that has potential to become a major flash point in the Indian film industry.

“I am unable to understand its (KBC- Star Television’s show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’, based on ‘Who want to be a millionaire) falling interest as the graphs show despite the fact that they were presented by bigger and more popular stars, namely Shah Rukh. And now to see ‘Panchvi Pass’, or as one rival channel executive sniggered, ‘Panchvi Fail’, after its not too encouraging numbers, facing relative lower ratings is what I wish to debate on and would love to have inputs from readers, ” wrote Mr. Bachchan on his blog.

“My motive is a little selfish. I am meeting several TV channel executives, keen for me to do something on TV again. They have made several presentations to me. Not knowing the prevalent hits and misses or the reason for their success and failure, I am at a loss as to which one to consider, if I consider at all,” clarified Big B.

Of course, Amitabh Bachchan initiated the controversial debate in a very subtle manner. He didn’t use the words Me or SRK, but it was not difficult for most of his readers to guess what he was referring to.

“When the show lost its actual host, it lost its glamour as well. And, Mr Bachchan! Shah Rukh Khan is the king…but you still are the emperor,” was the response from Zayed.

Deepa from Danville, CA, wrote: “The biggest reason that KBC3 and Panchvi paas have failed is because you did not host these shows. You have the credibility that SRK, Govinda and other stars lack.”

A number of readers have seriously analysed why certain television programmes fail to make it. Lots of them think ‘Panchvi Pass’ failed because of the IPL Cricket matches shown at the same time when SRK’s programme is aired. Others think novelty of any great idea wears off soon.

However, one must give credit to those readers, actually, quite a few, who remained almost neutral on Big B vs SRK suggestion. But, at the end of the day, Big B’s comments will haunt him for fuelling a feud that some people believed was merely a media creation. Perhaps, not so subtle Mr. Bachchan!

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Bhavna immediately knew what she was prompted to say: Nobody can compete with you, indispensable! Please resume crorepati…love you!

Amad Khan, addressing ‘Dear Mr. Star of Millennium,’ narrated an incident of his stay in Egypt where hundreds of people turned up to see a glimpse of Big B at the Cairo airport, but when President Mubarak landed after a while, there was none to welcome him except the officials. Referring to SRK, he says “Media created fake popularity of some so called self declared king of bollywood..bull**it….but we know: RISHTEY MEIN TO AAP SAB KE BAAP LAGTE HAIN.”

Pankaj Gupta from Toronto said: “The other big reason is the personality factor and how you present yourself in front of the millions. SRK and the many others who came after you did not have the same towering persona like you and also were much louder.”

Jeetendra is spot on in his understanding of Big B’s intentions. In fact, he admonishes his idol: “Dear Mr. Big B…why do you need to compare yourself with Mr. Shahrukh Khan? I just didn’t like this exercise of yours. You can’t make his fans yours. It’s not possible for anyone to do this sorts of exercises. Do you think that TRP will have any impact on the mindset of the audiences who love him, I say, “No.”

When a big person like you try to show your superiority over other by a mere comparison, I think, the respect for you just decreases. Your fans don’t choose you over Mr. Shahrukh; they simply choose you out of love for your work, and personality as a whole; and they can’t stand you being compared with other. Why you want to make yourself small by projecting yourself big in front of Mr. Shahrukh Khan?

You are BIG, so BIG that hardly anything, any person or actor is comparable to you. Please don’t do this.”

Nethra Rajesh was not so subtle in his rebuke to SRK: “Shahrukh ya Aap. Kaun behtar hai. Bina kisi shak ya sawal…Aap..Aap..Aap..Aap..Aap..Aap..Aap..Aap..Aap aur Aap hai. Kahan raja Bhoj aur kahan Gangu Teli. But chinta is baat ki hai ki aapne yeh jikra karke kutte (Media) ko kitchen ka darwaza dikha diya.”

Courtesy: BIG B, Amitabh Bachchan’s blog http://blogs.bigadda.com/ab/2008/05/09/tv-ratings-statistics-comparison/...

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