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Small just got bigger

With Shah Rukh Khan appearing on television as the host of `Kaun Banega Crorepati' from next month, life would come full circle for this mega star.

With that dimpled smile, a flamboyant Khan says with earnestness, "I started with television and I am happy to be back. In fact, I never went away, for some channel would always show my movies." Most cinemagoers are privy to the story of how Khan as a struggling actor, after featuring in the tele-series `Fauji' and `Circus,' made headway in Bollywood.

But mind you, King Khan's nod to Star Plus to don the cloak of former show host Amitabh Bachchan has now a lot to do with the size of the box than the actor's nostalgia for the medium. Today, television is getting bigger in India.

Stars on TV

Or else, why do you think Khan is being joined by actors like John Abraham and Arshad Warsi at the peak of their career?

We might see Sanjay Dutt too on TV if only he can wrangle himself out of the court cases. Ace Bollywood comedian Johnny Lever already has a show on Zee TV, and we hear that Karan Johar is soon returning with Koffee with Karan.

Shah Rukh laughs aloud when he is asked, why TV? "Don't worry, my money is not getting over. I am here because television is now very big. How can you ignore such a mass medium?" Obviously, everyone wants a piece of the pie. Meanwhile, Sony TV is in talks with "some big actors" for - what else? - hosting shows.

SANGEETA BAROOAH PISHAROTY

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