Master of name game
S.R.ASHOK KUMAR
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G.S.Pradeep has turned his childhood passion into a riveting show.
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One cannot do this by reading for just a couple of years. It begins at the age of four.
Are you ready for the challenge?: G.S.Pradeep
G.S.Pradeep is known for his comprehensive knowledge of history and contemporary world affairs and analytical skill. The ‘Reverse Quiz’ programme on television has brought him into limelight with his name gaining an entry into the Lim
ca Book of Records. He is also a State level carom player and an author of five books.
In his school days, Pradeep was the best orator in Malayalam. After leaving school, he won the ‘Best Orator of Kerala’ award for six successive years (1987-93). He has also been associated with Doordarshan Kendra ever since its inception. In fact, he first appeared on television when he was 14, in the programme, ‘Just a Minute,’ where the participant had to speak non-stop for a minute, with the topic announced on the spot.
Pradeep studied at the Government Arts College, University College, Thiruvananthapuram, and at the S.M.College.
A passion
How did he arrive at the ‘Grand Master’ show? “The spark came when I was chatting with a friend,” says Pradeep. The game was a passion with me from my school days, and I used to play with my friends. It was a Wednesday evening in 2000 and I was sitting in a restaurant playing the game with my friend. And whenever I gave the correct answer, he would buy me an item on the menu.
Somebody called me from behind and asked me if he could also play the game with me. This bearded person had a Russian author on his mind and I found it easily. After nearly 45 days, I got a call from Kairali Television, where I met actor Mammootty. He too wanted to play the guessing game and I found that the person in his mind was Monica Lewinski. He signed me on a contract for five years, and the first episode was shown on June 25, 2001, with the late E.K.Nayanar as the chief guest.” Pradeep never looked back.
The show became the talk of the State after seven episodes. After 25, it became the passion of the people and after 40 Pradeep was a star. The show went on air to complete 1,000 episodes.
‘Reverse Quiz’ entered the Limca Book of Records. The title of the programme was ‘Aswametha,. which also became the name of the house Pradeep built. He was invited to Chennai to conduct the show on Vijay TV with Jacob as the producer and Sivaranjani as the co-ordinator. And the show began on June 12, 2006.
“ With me, reading was a craze till I was 15 and what I grasped then is more than what I’m learning now. I am 34 and my wife hates newspapers. This is mainly because I read the paper for more than an hour in the morning and twice later to assimilate the news.”
New challenge
Pradeep has taken on a new challenge recently. He faces a team of three. While one challenges him with a famous personality, the second thinks of a place, and the third, an event.
The Grandmaster has to guess the place or city within 17 questions and one lifeline, the personality within 21 questions and two lifelines and will have 25 questions and three lifelines to crack the famous event.
The contestants winning all the three rounds will get a cash prize of Rs. 1.5 lakhs. The ‘Grand Master’ show is telecast on Vijay TV, Monday to Thursday, 7 p.m.
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