Insight

r o s h a n a b b a s
Master Of Game Show

He has been hosting his show, Mastercard Family Fortune, since the past four years. And in spite of the fact that the format of the show has been the same all these years - a risky proposition on TV - Roshan Abbas is still going strong.
What is the secret of his success? “It’s simple and although not interactive, the viewers can relate to what’s happening in the game show. Then we prefer to call common people most of the time, instead of celebrities, which gives the viewers a sense of belonging,” says Roshan, trying to catch his breath after his work-out. “Besides, Family Fortune now has so many prizes. Even if you sneeze you can win a prize,” he adds with a wicked grin.

However, the same host on Breakfast With Zee could not create the magic of the Family Fortune. Although on air since mid-July, it failed to impress the Zee officials. “Actually, Zee is shelving 16 programmes and this also came on chopping board. But in any case morning programs do not get very impressive TRPs. I feel complimented because Good Morning India, which earlier had a stiff-neck approach has adopted a casual approach on Breakfast With Zee, because they found it more appealing,” explains Roshan. He has no regrets regarding this program, that had the motif of a sunflower, a sunny ambience and was well appreciated by media. According to him, it may be adopted later by Zee as Tea With Zee for the late afternoon slot. “They are comprehending it let’s see.”

What Roshan is excited about is a new game show, Sixth Sense on DD-1 that he is hosting. Scheduled to begin telecast in a months time, this programme is produced by Maya Entertainment and the game format is formulated by Arshad Khan. Quiz questions are being done by a team of quizzers. “It is a quiz for children and will be very informative and interactive. Besides, it will also enrich their values and sense of responsibilities. It has a segment that is totally devoted to conservation. Petroleum Research Agency had come up with this idea. I took this show because quizzing’s been my passion since childhood and now it is the first time I am getting a chance to do that on television.”

For selection of participants, the producer had posted ads in the newspapers. Then the children who responded from various schools were put through a written test. After the competitions between four zones, they will hold an all India competitions, which Roshan hopes will be telecast live. The time is slated to be 12.30 p.m. “It may sound like Bournvita Quiz but the focus is very different. Besides testing the participants’ intelligence and wit, we also want to educate the viewers about conservation. It will be very informative.”

Besides acting, anchoring and quizzing Roshan also indulges in behind the scene technicalities of showbiz via his company Encompass. “I am now planning to take to direction which happens to be my first love. Anchoring on TV was an accident, not an intention. I’ve written a script. Besides, I have a few other ideas as well which have been received well by the channels. I am also planning niche game shows targeted at select audiences. Let’s see what materialises in the end,” says Roshan who specialises in communication skills.

Another feather that Roshan has in his cap is event management and promotion. Kaun Banega Crorepati on STAR Plus, Survivor series on AXN and now Chappar Phaad Ke... on Sony are among the TV shows that Encompass is promoting besides many other industrial and consumer product launches. “For the Survivor event, we had put up live snakes, jungle gym, block bridge, archery contest... phew it was a load full of things that one can relate to the Survivor series. In event management, you have to give the taste of the show within that given time and with Survivor, it worked beautifully. I used my theatre expertise to the hit.”

So much confidence! But surprisingly, when it comes to acting, Roshan looks everywhere but at the camera. For the Toyota ad, Roshan was called to be the company brand ambassador. Shantanu Shourie was directing and Roshan was so nervous that he refused to let go off his wife Shaheen’s hand. “But once the camera was rolling, each shot did not require more than three takes. I was so thrilled,” he laughs. Actually, Shourie wanted Roshan to be himself, not act. So it came as a pleasure and not an exercise for him.

“But anchoring is still my favourite. KBC has given game shows an ISI mark. For now, my concentration is to direct and conduct a few of these.”

Neelam Gupta

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