You revolutionised television viewing and changed the fortunes of STAR Plus when you hosted Kaun Banega Crorepati.
That is what the media believes. I only did my job. At that time, I remember, people were sceptical about my doing television.

You did two seasons but the channel roped another star for season III.
During the second season of KBC, I fell ill and couldn’t complete the episodes. They then went to someone else.

So, what’s happened to your contract with the channel?
Everything has been settled amicably.

What appealed to you about Bigg Boss that you agreed to be a part of it?
I was always intrigued by its format, its contestants and the psychological battle within the house. And the concept of a pop philosopher appealed to me. The concept was a product of the initial talks and discussions I had with the channel head. If I had to be involved in the show, I thought could we perhaps look into why people closeted in a house behave in a certain way. Some characteristics are inherent in us. Whether we are vicious or abusive it does reflect in the way we are. The environment also influences us. We could talk to a person, find out and air it to the public. So, I will be appearing twice in a week, I will be interacting with all housemates and announcing the eviction and I will be talking to the evictee for an hour - trying to analyse and decode his or her emotional journey in the Bigg Boss house.

Will you be like a agony uncle for the participants?
I don’t know what will come about, but yes when I sit and talk to the person, it could be a confessional from him or her. I would be a sort of instigator who wakens him up. I won’t be giving any advice but if through my wisdom and age I can question them I will not shy away from that and find out if a person regrets doing something. During the course of this interaction some moral messages may come through.

How can you be moralistic on a reality show like Bigg Boss?
I will tell you an incident that happened during Kaun Banega Crorepati. KBC did not have a interlude. When I was in talks with the channel’s officials, one of them pointed out that my grey beard is a sign of age and wisdom. That set me thinking. I thought of the times I spend at home sitting with everyone after dinner, discussing what happened through the day, disecting the good and bad. I am sure it must be happening in most homes. 9’o clock, I guessed, is the time when most families have dinner and I decided to talk about some moral values as a prelude to the show. Almost a year into the show, I had people coming up and telling me that they switched to the show only to listen to that. There are channels that give spiritual discourse pravachan in the morning at 5 or 6 am and everybody listens to them. It works very well.

Would you ever be in the house as a participant?
Never, I cannot even imagine living without a newspaper and a clock. Being isolated in a house without your loved ones is also unthinkable.

Who would you like to send to the house?
Nobody!

Have you seen the show? It had some controversial characters.
There’s no life without controversies!