Lalu didn’t mouth the usual “Main paanchvi class se tez nehin hoon” at the end of the show. Instead, he promised to use the amount for the Railway Welfare and Relief Fund. The audience comprised railway officials, led by Minister of State of Home Kripa Shankar Singh, and police officers. Lalu came in grandly, two hours late, in a crisp white kurta, and blessed Priyanka Chopra and Harman Baweja, guest contestants for another episode of the show.

The portly minister answered all questions correct in the rapid-fire round of the mock session. His lucky spree continued in the final shoot too—he answered without the help of the ‘Cheaters’ (five children who help participants). An impressed SRK told him: “Laluji, you are a walking-talking encyclopaedia. I am a big fan of yours.” To which Lalu quipped: “And I am the air-conditioner of Shah Rukh bhai, not just a fan.”

Not only was his general knowledge on railways impeccable, he even explained the recipe of a Bihari dish while answering a question on food. When asked how the minister was as a school boy (Lalu was the only literate in his family), he replied: “I was a good student and took a lot of interest in history, Hindi, political science and then later pursued an MA and LLB. However, I didn’t practise law and ended up as a politician.” Lalu, who did a cameo in Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav, was also offered a role in one of Khan’s films.

Beauteous and the beast