Today I am competing with myself, says Shah Rukh

“People should learn how important studies are through this show,” Shah Rukh Khan states. His Indian television general knowledge quiz show, ‘Paanchvi Pass’ based on the US programme ‘Are you smarter than a Ten Year Old?’, was launched in London last Tuesday. The series kicks off on June 13 on the Star Plus Channel in the UK and Europe.

After taking over from Amitabh Bachchan in the Indian TV equivalent of ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire’, this is the second time the ‘King Khan’ is the quizmaster or ‘Head Boy’ as he is called in the show. Why is he doing it? “I love the show; it gives me pleasure to see kids studying in a fun way. My own children Suhana and Aryan like it a lot.” Does he know the answers himself? The honest Khan comes clean: “I don’t know most of the answers; it’s fun to learn through a quiz.” Was SRK a good student? “I used to come top in class as I was naughty and the teacher made me stand on top of the desk!” Khan jokes.

Following Shah Rukh onto the small screen will be Salman Khan with his reality show ‘10 Ka Dum’ and Akshay Kumar with the Indian version of ‘Fear Factor’. Has SRK started a trend for Bollywood A listers moving into television? “I don’t think I set a trend. It was Amitabh Bachchan who really set the trend. I wish Salman and Akki all the best!”

Shah Rukh Khan’s hockey film ‘Chak De! India’ won the Best Film, Best Director, Best Story and Best Actor awards at last weekend’s International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFAs) in Bangkok. The ‘King’ is in heaven: “I proved I could do a significant role without songs or heroines. The film consolidates my reputation as a good actor. Today I am competing with myself, not with any newcomer or other heroes.”

Anil Sinanan, Times Online UK