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 "Deal
Ya No Deal", the game show that southern
superstar Madhavan will host on Sony TV, is expected
to go on air in November. But those associated with
it are quick to dismiss any comparisons with "Kaun
Banega Crorepati" (KBC), the super successful game
show hosted on Star Plus by Amitabh Bachchan. Says
Madhavan: "Yes, Sony approached me. We're just
worked out the details. I've to shoot six days a
month. I've been finalised to anchor the show. It's
the biggest game show in the world. "But I've also
been asked not to speak too much about it. All I can
say is, it has no relevance or connection to KBC.
It's a different format altogether.
"And we won't be pitching it against KBC. Our show
will be telecast on weekdays - who on earth would
dare to take on Bachchan?" Madhavan's clothes are
being designed by Shahid Amir. They've given the
Tamil star a boyish, affable look. The prize money
is likely to be Rs.10 million.
Sony's head honcho Tarun Katyal says: "Yes, we're
doing a game show. 'Deal Ya No Deal' is our version
of 'Deal Or No Deal', the number one game show in
the world. I visited Spain recently to check out the
show there, and now in France...it's a phenomenal
event. "Why Madhavan? Because we needed someone
young, boyish, intelligent and able to connect
instantly with the audience. The world over, the
hosts have been young, genial and energetic.
Madhavan fitted the bill.
"One or two other names, including Saif Ali Khan,
were initially thrown around. But once the project
concretised it was Maddy all the way. And when he
shot the promo with us this week we knew we had made
the right choice." Katyal cuts down all comparisons
with KBC. "'Deal Ya No Deal' isn't a bit like any
other game show we've seen from any part of the
world. And believe you me, it wasn't expensive to
buy from its international original copy holders.
"We at Sony are on the lookout for shows that would
give us a profile distinct from our competitors.
When we started 'Fame Gurukul', we were sneered at
for attempting something so outlandish. And that's
one of our highest rated shows."
Katyal says Sony hopes to consolidate its position
further with "Deal Ya No Deal". "It will add
considerably to Madhavan's fan following, that's for
sure."
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