Shah Rukh is on for television

Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan, who started his career as an actor with TV serial Fauji, says that whatever he has achieved in life is all because of television.

"I started my career with television. I am what I am today because of TV. I owe my life to the small screen and stage," King Khan said.

"It is a welcome change to see the way television has evolved over two decades. There is an amazing change in TV programmes both quality-wise and technically. In fact, films and media (print and electronic), everything has changed," he said.

"Earlier, when we used to go for press conferences there used to be hardly five cameras. Today the count is more than the fingers on your hands," reminisced the star.

He was in the capital Tuesday to promote a new quiz show, Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain, to be telecast on STAR Plus, which he will host.

The show, based on international TV show Are you Smarter than a Fifth grader?, will have adult participants contesting to win a whopping Rs.50 million.

Asked if he himself is smarter than a fifth grader, SRK quipped: "I am not as smart as a fifth class student, otherwise I wouldn't have been an actor."

So how was Shah Rukh as a student? "I was very naughty and was nearly suspended once from school but my parents never pushed me very hard. They always said that I must do enough (in studies) so that they are not ashamed. And I did fair in life!"

"I remember my teachers said that I have a devil's smile. Every time I played a prank, I used to smile with dimples on my cheeks and they would let me go. But I was punished many, many times," he added.

Commenting on whether he would like his son Aryan and daughter Suhana to take part in any reality show, he said: "I don't want that for my children, being Shah Rukh Khan's son and daughter should not become an achievement."

"I prey to god and hope when they grow up they achieve something on their own," he said.

Indo-Asian News Service