Abhishek’s ‘Bingo’ in Baroda at Laxmi Vilas Palace (earlier post updated)
Abhishek Bachchan is TV’s new ‘king of cool’
Abhishek Bachchan beats SRK, Salman in debut ratings
ABHISHEK’S BINGO DEBUT PIPS AMITABH BACHCHAN (BIG BOSS), AKSHAY, SALMAN
part 5
part 6
thanks to Tyler..
NEW PREVIEW
interview/press conference..
New Preview
LINK
Dressed in a bright yellow coat over a pale yellow shirt and white trousers, Abhishek Bachchan sports a metrosexual look for his debut TV show “National Bingo Night” to be aired on Colors.
Apart from that, the actor sports a baby pink jacket for the promotional photo shoot for the show.
However, this isn’t the first time Abhishek is flaunting the metrosexual look – he made similar style statements in movies like “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna” and “Dostana”.
He is extremely excited about the show, being produced by Fox Television Studios India Pvt. Ltd.
“It’s a fun-filled show where the whole country will be my guest without applying any brains or answer any difficult questions. This is such a chilled out concept and something that has never been done before in India. The sheer simplicity of the idea and the fact that this show is highly interactive is what attracted me to it,” Abhishek said in a press statement.
The game show will have two fast-paced rounds of the popular guessing game ‘Bingo’
The formal launch of the show was preceded by a flurry of marketing activity including teasers on the channel. For the past few weeks, viewers could see glimpses of Abhishek reclining on a chair or dozing in a cosy bed in promos announcing the launch of his ‘Aaram Classes’.
“The idea here is that it’s a show which is to be enjoyed by relaxing. That’s why we came up with the concept of Aaram Classes… we want people to chill out and play this game. There’s no stress, no tension involved at all. So tune in to learn ‘aaram’ and get ready for Bingo,” said Abhishek.
The launch date of the show has yet to be announced.
The format of the show is owned by 20th Fox Television Distribution and it has run successfully in the US, Australia and Philippines.
thanks to Tyler for the latest video..
thanks to Pradip and GF..
December 15, 2009 at 12:28 PM
I was always hoping this story wasn’t true. Sometime back one of Abhishek’s interviews confirmed this. Now there’s the website. I have been a perennial naysayer on this sort of thing. I am against stars venturing into TV anyway but don’t see why a guy with a pretty heavy lineup and at this stage of his career has to venture into this. Even if it’s a success I would suggest the same. would be interested to check it out just as a matter of discovering how he handles it. But it’s not an idea that I like at all.
January 23, 2010 at 3:23 PM
In the words of one great television master..
“You can’t fool television viewers with dancing girls and flashing lights. ”
Bob Barker (Lets Make A Deal)
“Many people have the idea that game shows are easy to come up with. And nothing could be further from the truth. ”
That I would rather be in another business where a bad cold wouldn’t put me out of work. (Merv Griffin)
That being said it is a time will tell kind of thing..if its in the ‘blood’ let it be.
December 15, 2009 at 12:29 PM
agree, can’t stand this this sort of thing myself…
December 15, 2009 at 12:31 PM
also this is a strange sort of ‘concept’ to be selling!
January 19, 2010 at 6:42 AM
yeah, add me to the growing list of people who are against this idea. it doesn’t make much sense when an actor with a stellar acting career decides to do this. its a bad idea for obvious reasons, overexposure for staters!. abhishek does just fine on the big screen only. you try out this venture when your movie career is in the toilet, not when you’re riding with high critical acclaim+juicy scripts landing at your doorstep, etc.
January 19, 2010 at 7:59 AM
but then..abhishek is ABHISHEK!! he is DIFFERENT!! he has never conformed 2 d stereotypes..nd he is breaking some rules here alrite…!! as of now d show looks fun nd cool..lets see!! i say..MORE POWER 2 HIM!!
December 15, 2009 at 12:31 PM
To date I haven’t seen more than clips of Indian game shows hosted by stars…
This website is quirky fun, though.
December 15, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Et tu GF?!
December 15, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Just the site! I’m with you in the sense that I always find it somewhat distasteful when Indian stars attempt television. But for me this is a specifically Indian media problem because Indian television, from 99% of the shows I’ve seen, (which is admittedly not very much) is atrocious. They still seem to be writhing in infancy, trying very hard to figure out the form on both reality and ESPECIALLY narrative fiction shows…
To date the only shows I have ever been able to stomach were the Malgudi Days series and Ramanand Sagar’s epics for their extreme kitsch value.
December 15, 2009 at 12:32 PM
GF found the connection and solved the puzzle in no time so I can’t share the credit though as I recalled was the first one to notice and post Abhi’s entry into T.V right here.
December 15, 2009 at 12:34 PM
you did provide the site link first!
December 15, 2009 at 1:36 PM
Abhishek walked the ramp today
December 15, 2009 at 3:16 PM
He looks good having lost weight. He should really maintain the lean look.
December 15, 2009 at 5:00 PM
Frothy, not fiery
After Kurbaan was dismissed by the audience, Dharma Productions has decided to shoot Tarun Mansukhani’s Dostana 2 first, pushing back Nishikant Kamat’s next with John Abraham
By Subhash K Jha
Posted On Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 02:40:31 AM
Karan Johar’s production house Dharma now feels the need to pull up its socks especially after its biggest turkey in years, Kurbaan. Dostana director Tarun Mansukhani has been asked to complete the script for Dostana 2 immediately.
Tarun says, “We will start shooting the sequel in April 2010. I’m just about locking in the script. We want to give the film a nice summery look in London. So far, Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham are the only cast members who are confirmed.”
In this rush to release a comedy which may prove to be more commercially viable, Nishikant Kamat’s (director of Mumbai Meri Jaan) film with John which was to start early 2010, has now been pushed to July 2010. Confirming this, the reclusive director says, “I think John has one other film to finish before he comes to my project. So I have more time to work on my script. I’ve been locked away in my native village most of this year writing the film.”
Kamat continues to tell us about the project, “I love the cinema of Karan Johar, Aditya Chopra and Sooraj Barjatya and that’s the kind of mass entertainment we’re attempting. John and I have been friends for a long time. We sat and discussed what kind of a film to make. We both thought an adventure-action-romance was a far bigger challenge than a topical subject.”
His film with John will be produced by UTV. And it’s likely that UTV would also be on board for Dostana 2. So a shuffle seems very much on the cards.
After the heavy losses Kurbaan incurred, UTV’s Siddharth Kapoor cautiously says, “We’re in a long-term association with Dharma. So the intention is to collaborate closely with them on their future productions. But nothing has been formalised for Dostana 2.”
December 16, 2009 at 8:44 AM
December 16, 2009 at 8:51 AM
December 16, 2009 at 8:53 AM
on his father:
“he’s the greatest that was, is and will be”! Well said..
December 16, 2009 at 6:50 PM
I’m also not keen on Abhishek doing a reality game show at this stage of his career. However I’m going to be positive. I hope it will be a successful but short venture into television for Abhishek. Besides he has some bang on great movie projects lined up. It’s the best line up of movies he has had in his career thus far. So he is still clearly upping his game in his acting career and keeping his eye on the ball. This is all that matters in the end.
December 17, 2009 at 1:22 PM
Nice One…………… Amitabhji is blessed to have a son like Abhishek….
December 18, 2009 at 8:13 AM
December 18, 2009 at 8:15 AM
December 23, 2009 at 2:50 PM
Small B follows Big B, to make small-screen debut on Colors
Mumbai: Another A-list Bollywood star will be hitting the television screens, following in the wake of such marquee names as Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar. Next in line is Small B-Abhishek Bachchan.Colors, the country’s leading Hindi entertainment channel from Viacom 18 Media Pvt. Ltd, has signed on the younger Bachchan for a reality show called Bingo, the American name for the game better known as Tambola in India or Housey Housey (also spelled as Housie) in parts of the former British empire.New role: Abhishek Bachchan will host a reality show called Bingo, to be launched on 23 January. Kunal Patil/HTThe show, to be launched on 23 January, will mark the star’s television debut almost a decade after father Amitabh Bachchan first appeared on the small screen to host Kaun Banega Crorepati on Star Plus in 2000.
Colors, which has displaced Star Plus from the No. 1 slot, has been running a teaser campaign featuring Abhishek Bachchan without divulging the show or the identity of the channel. The campaign refers to “aaram classes” and leads to a website called abhishekaaramclasses.com, which does not divulge any details either.An executive at Colors, who declined to be identified, admitted that the teaser campaign featuring Abhishek Bachchan was for a show on the channel, but he refused to share any details.According to a senior executive of a media-buying agency, who did not want to be named either, Bingo will be telecast once a week at 9.30pm and will have 13 episodes.”It will be based on the same concept as Tambola and will involve general viewers as well as the participants on the show.
Idea Cellular Ltd has already been roped in as presenting sponsor, while Maruti Suzuki India Ltd is the associate sponsor,” he told Mint. He said advertising on the show is being sold at a premium-Rs1.5-2 lakh for 10 seconds, as opposed to regular inventory on Colors, which is sold for up to Rs1.2 lakh. The media expert added that the main sponsor is shelling out Rs7 crore for the show and the associate sponsorship costs Rs3 crore. The Maruti spokesperson said it was too premature to offer comment while Pradeep Shrivastava, chief marketing officer at Idea Cellular, confirmed that the company was the presenting sponsor for the show. However, he did not disclose any financial terms of the contract.
The celebrity quotient has always been high on Colors with stars such as Shilpa Shetty, Akshay Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan hosting shows on the channel. Previous media reports have stated that Colors paid Amitabh Bachchan Rs1.5 crore per episode for Bigg Boss Season 3.Top stars such as Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan are signed on for multi-crore deals, according to Manish Porwal, chief executive, Percept Talent Management, a division of Percept Ltd. “At the very least, they would be paid Rs1 crore per episode. However, the contracts are complex and involve clauses on promotions, public appearances, merchandising brands that the stars represent and even commitments on the number of guest celebrities that the star can attract,” he said.However, not all channels endorse the celebrity route to get eyeballs. Joy Chakraborthy, chief revenue officer, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd, said Dance India Dance on his channel has opened with a 5-plus television rating. “Roping in big celebrities at a huge cost is not going to ensure ratings,” he said. “Our strategy has always been to invest in cost-effective programmes that work.”Colors has held on to the top slot for several weeks now. “On an average, viewers spend more time on Colors than on either Star Plus or Zee TV,” Sudarshan Rajan, senior business director, MediaCom India Pvt. Ltd, told Mint. During prime time, the average time spent on Colors is 110 minutes, 93 on Star Plus and 91 on Zee.
Shashi Sinha, chief executive of Lodestar Universal Pvt. Ltd, said that though the new format is certainly unconventional, “the show would be of interest to me if it involves viewers in the Housie game and on a large scale”.
http://m.livemint.com/s/6608/2?htmlUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.livemint.com%2F2009%2F12%2F23234907%2FSmall-B-follows-Big-B-to-make.html&itemPos=2
December 23, 2009 at 2:52 PM
Sounds like a big deal here. But the one walk of life where the Bachchans will never have my allegiance is TV! Bachchan has made me eat my words at times but I still do not back these endeavors. With Abhishek I back it even less. Hope he’s successful but I’m old fashioned. I like movie stars to do movies!
December 23, 2009 at 3:10 PM
I’m still against this move to TV but I hope the show succeeds. Luckily it is only 13 episodes once a week. I guess it will also help him to promote his upcoming movies. We’ll see how it plays out.
December 23, 2009 at 2:52 PM
at least it’s just once a week.
December 23, 2009 at 2:53 PM
didn’t realize Color was now the top channel.
December 31, 2009 at 4:38 AM
Colur is a top channel since last 6 months…
December 31, 2009 at 9:47 AM
It’s been amazing how quickly they’ve advanced to the top. But is it only because of these reality shows with stars or has there been other successful programming as well?
December 31, 2009 at 10:31 AM
my limited knowledge…
theres a show called balika vadhu(one of india no.1 soap) then theres uttaran… also big boss prior amitji was huge…
rest i dont know
January 7, 2010 at 5:38 AM
I believe its mainly because of Balika Badhu,Uttaran and some other soap operas coupled with these reality shows…
January 7, 2010 at 8:45 AM
so what’s the deal here? I can understand having successful reality shows with stars but how did they manage to hit it so big with soaps a well? anything specific to the latter?
January 8, 2010 at 8:41 AM
The usual KJO forumla — tears, lots of them.
January 23, 2010 at 10:45 PM
Balika Vadhu is a one of those shows examining social issues, and was I believe the first to do so. I know it’s very popular with several members of my family, of all ages. I guess they hit it big with the old fashioned methods of good writing, strong story lines, and interesting characters.
January 30, 2010 at 2:50 PM
Balika Vadhu is rubbish. Whatever their intentions were in the beginning, ostentatious clothing and a fancy house is not the reality of child marriage. I watched the show a little when I first heard of how “progressive” it was, and because I was curious to see how people felt about it, I tried to find stuff online about it.
It was sickening to hear people on the internet discussing how “cute” the child couple are and how a teenage girl on the show much remain loyal to her much older husband because “They’re married. What can she do now?”
Surprisingly, those are not minority views. I have no idea if it is helping the people who are actually affected by child marriage, but it certainly seems to have brought out the regressive attitudes of the middle class.
Midday has a great critique of it.
http://www.mid-day.com/specials/2009/may/170509-Balika-Vadhu-Child-Marriage-Indian-Soap-Opera-Sunday-Midday-Readers.htm
December 26, 2009 at 4:05 PM
December 26, 2009 – 5 part video
Actor Abhishek Bachchan on the show On the Couch with Koel says many flops in a row diminished his confidence but Yuva was the turning point in his life.
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Video/0/39/Videos
December 27, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Abhishek toes father’s line, to host game show on TV
Mumbai: Actor Abhishek Bachchan seems to be following in his father’s footsteps.
Junior B will make his debut on the small screen on Viacom 18’s General Entertainment Channel Colors as host on its new show Idea National Bingo Night produced by Fox Television Studios India Private Limited.
Abhishek insists that it wasn’t his father’s association with the channel which forced him to agree to host the show.
“I liked the concept of the show, it excited me creatively. I liked what they were trying to do and liked what they have done. It is great that Colors thought if me. The decision was theirs, it didn’t have anything to do with the fact that pa (Amitabh Bachchan) was part of the channel,” he says.
The international televised version of the popular guessing game Bingo is simple and interactive, involving not just studio participants and audience but also the viewers who can participate in real time.
Abhishek is all excited about the game show, which doesn’t require one to rack their brains to answer questions. One can instead simply sit back relax and play the game, an aspect that was the theme of the show’s first teasers.
“It is something different. It is important to do differently. I have always done so with my career, the kind of films I have done. It has to challenge me, something that I haven’t done before. So this suits me,” he explains.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/abhishek-toes-fathers-line-to-host-game-show-on-tv/107814-8.html
Video – http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/107814/abhishek-toes-fathers-line-to-host-game-show-on-tv.html
December 28, 2009 at 1:03 PM
Big B, Ash for Abhi on TV
This is one family that acts together, prays together and parties together.
The entire Bachchan clan will be by actor Abhishek Bachchan’s side for his small-screen debut, Bingo.
Father Amitabh promoted the show well at the Bigg Boss grand finale, and now he, along with Junior B’s wife Aishwarya, will feature in the opening episode of the reality show, the actor is hosting.
The family was last seen together at the premiere of their film, Paa.
December 28, 2009 at 1:30 PM
i would have only preffered ash along with abhi..but chalo..i dont know wat is d format of d show..may be it requires 2 participants..in dat case i would have liked jaya b or shweta on d show with ash..i think amitabh bachchan is a bit over-exposed in today’s times!!!
December 28, 2009 at 11:43 PM
its very rubbish
December 29, 2009 at 3:29 PM
Cover-up
His father, Amitabh Bachchan, made history as a host on Kaun Banega Crorepati. Jr AB will soon be following into Daddy-O’s footsteps. Come January, Abhishek Bachchan will conduct Aaram Classes on National Bingo Night on Colors, once a week.
Excerpts of our conversation: What are these Aaram Classes that you’ve been promoting on Colors? They are promos of National Bingo Night, my debut as a TV host. The concept of the show revolves around learning how to chill! Hence, Aaram Classes!
What drew you to it?
It’s a one-of-its-kind show that packs in fun, celebration, guests and a game together. You can aaram se enjoy all of it at one go. And the audience will not be the mute spectator type. Viewers, both in and out of the studio, will also participate in it, ‘live’. It’s for the first time on a show that everyone watching it in and out of the studio, and the contestant, will together play the game. How could I not be a part of something so cool?
What were your mum (Jaya Bachchan), dad and wife’s (Aishwarya) reactions? Did your paa give you a piece of advice?
They were all supportive and excited. Dad advised me not to relax too much and fall asleep while the show is on. Things could get a little embarrassing. (Smiles) Jokes apart, he mentioned that TV is more difficult than films and especially if you’re hosting a reality show. Thinking on your feet is an ability that one must have.
Movies revolving around the underworld are often accused of glorifying crime. With your show, aren’t you encouraging laziness?
Ah, not at all. I don’t think anyone will get such ideas when they tune in. The USP of Bingo is… An extremely interactive format and also the fact that the audience at home is as much a participant as the one sitting in the studio or playing the game at that moment with me.
How would you compare TV to films?
They’re poles apart dude! Films make me run from pillar to post, dance at all hours, and crush bozos like I’m crushing ice. While shooting for Bingo promos, I had a chance to sleep on comfortable beds.
Wasn’t money an allure?
Nope. Whether the show appeals to your viewers and you and if you can make an impact are things that matter.
How much has TV changed since your dad’s debut as a host on Kaun Banega Crorepati?
It has changed. But it still works on attracting and retaining viewers’ attention.
KBC’s success in its first two seasons is attributed to the way your father encouraged contestants. What would be your trump card?
I haven’t thought about that. Let’s see.
I’m sure you were offered more shows in the past? Of course and they were of all types, from game shows and reality show to daily soaps. I was even offered news shows. Can you believe that?
I believe a lot of your friends and colleagues from the industry would be seen on the show’s special episodes. Anyone you’d want to see in particular?
Right now, I’m only interested in how would I be on the show. I’m nervous. So, I haven’t had the time to chalk out my wishlist of guests yet.
Compared to the senior division of actors who’ve turned TV hosts, your career is still in its infancy. Isn’t it crazy, juggling your show and films?
No way! We’re well planned and organised. So my TV commitment hasn’t eaten into my film schedules.
Would you commit for a second season of Bingo?
It’s too early to think about that. Let’s see how the first one goes!
Did you expect Paa to become a hit?
Absolutely! I wouldn’t have produced it otherwise.
According to your father, you decided to produce it within a strict budget and time frame. Was it too tricky and risky?
What risk? I believed in the script and more importantly in Balki. And the schedules went as planned.
Considering that ABCL had gone through rough weather, what boosted your confidence to make it work this time?
Exactly that. Confidence in the director and the script. According to your dad, you feel that producers spend a lot on making a movie, and sell it at a much higher price, thereby reducing chances of good recovery.
What’s your business secret?
I don’t know anything special about production. After budgeting, I felt that it should be sold at that ratio too. I wanted everyone associated with this film to make profit.
What’s next at AB Corp?
Nothing’s decided. Paa is still in cinemas. So, we’re focusing on that now.
Raavan seems to have been delayed, given Mani Ratnam’s illness?
My next release is Raavan and it’s not delayed. We’re on schedule.
Ashutosh Gowariker is known to be a tough taskmaster. Did Aishwarya prepare you for working with him on Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey?
I’ve known Ashu from before I became an actor. He’s a dear friend. He’s not a tough task master, quite the opposite actually. He’s great fun to work with.
Apparently, Aishwarya opted out of Abhinay Deo’s Crooked because it’s reported that you’re planning a family.
I didn’t know that I have to clarify things about my personal life. However, since you’ve asked, no, that’s not true.
When would we hear someone addressing you as Paa for real?
I’m already being called Paa. Lately, after the release of the film, my audiences have started calling me Paa.
December 29, 2009 at 6:22 PM
Abhishek opts for metrosexual look for debut TV show
New Delhi News.Net
Tuesday 29th December, 2009 (IANS)
Dressed in a bright yellow coat over a pale yellow shirt and white trousers, Abhishek Bachchan sports a metrosexual look for his debut TV show ‘National Bingo Night’ to be aired on Colors.
Apart from that, the actor sports a baby pink jacket for the promotional photo shoot for the show.
However, this isn’t the first time Abhishek is flaunting the metrosexual look – he made similar style statements in movies like ‘Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna’ and ‘Dostana’.
He is extremely excited about the show, being produced by Fox Television Studios India Pvt. Ltd.
‘It’s a fun-filled show where the whole country will be my guest without applying any brains or answer any difficult questions. This is such a chilled out concept and something that has never been done before in India. The sheer simplicity of the idea and the fact that this show is highly interactive is what attracted me to it,’ Abhishek said in a press statement.
The game show will have two fast-paced rounds of the popular guessing game ‘Bingo’.
The formal launch of the show was preceded by a flurry of marketing activity including teasers on the channel. For the past few weeks, viewers could see glimpses of Abhishek reclining on a chair or dozing in a cosy bed in promos announcing the launch of his ‘Aaram Classes’.
‘The idea here is that it’s a show which is to be enjoyed by relaxing. That’s why we came up with the concept of Aaram Classes… we want people to chill out and play this game. There’s no stress, no tension involved at all. So tune in to learn ‘aaram’ and get ready for Bingo,’ said Abhishek.
The launch date of the show has yet to be announced.
The format of the show is owned by 20th Fox Television Distribution and it has run successfully in the US, Australia and Philippines.
December 31, 2009 at 1:24 AM
Colors bets high on Abhishek’s ‘Aaram classes’
Betting big on its upcoming reality cum game show National Bingo Night that will have Abhishek Bachchan making his debut on television as a host, Colors is carrying out a flurry of marketing activities – all surrounding the “Aaram” (relax) factor.
For starters, the promotional campaign has centred around the Aaram factor. Colors is claiming that viewers just need to sit and relax to enjoy the show that is to unveil on 23 January.
The campaign shows glimpses of Bachchan reclining on an easy lazy boy chair or dozing in a cozy bed in promos announcing the launch of his ‘Aaram Classes’.
Says Colors programming head Ashvini Yardi, “Abhishek Bachchan embodies the charm, the grace and the persona of the young India. His energy, spirit and infectious charm is something that will be refreshing for Indian television. This was the exact mix of qualities we were looking for in the person who would host this new show.”
The format of the show is originally owned by 20th Century Fox Television Distribution. In India, it is being produced by Fox Television Studios India.
Says Colors marketing head Rameet Arora adds, “A unique show calls for unique ideas. When we decided to do this show, we knew that the promotion had to be unique. It did not involve any application of brains or IQ or answering tough questions or engaging in any strenuous physical activity. Yet everyone is involved. This is when we hit upon the concept of Abhishek’s Aaram Classes.”
The campaign, which launched the ‘Abhishek’s Aaram Classes,’ was created by creative agency Orchard with the promos being shot by Morse Code Productions.
The idea behind the campaign focused on the simplicity of the show and how one does not need to do anything to win, enjoy or meet Abhishek Bachchan – the only skill required is the ability to chill, lay back and enjoy.
Adds Arora, “Aaram is the idea that will be the center point of the Bingo campaign all the way through. In ways that I promise will surprise you. So keep watching for the campaign as it unrolls.”
The campaign has become a rage on the internet in less then 10 days. Arora claims that the microsite has got close to a million page views and hundreds of thousands of viewers. The channel has also got over 50,000 user generated comments and tips on aaram. Thousands of people have taken the test to get the certificate of being an Aarami, over 6000 registered themselves as fans on the official face book page of I Am Aarami. Also, there are already close to 2000 followers on twitter.
The channel has taken a 360 degree approach that involved the use of all traditional forms of media and below the line promotion as well. Apart from short teaser films across channels and on Colors, the channel has put a sofa with a man chilling during the peak hour at contact points like railway stations and bus stops.
Colors has already roped in Idea Cellular as title sponsor for the show.
January 2, 2010 at 6:55 AM
Playing host
2010 will see you making a debut on TV. When is the show starting and what prompts you to do television now?
The show starts at the end of January. Through the years I’ve received many offers for TV. This format and show appealed to me the most. National Bingo Night is a fun- filled show where the whole country will be my guest without applying any brains or answering any difficult questions. This is such a chilled-out concept and something that has never been done before in India. The sheer simplicity of the idea and the fact that this show is highly interactive is what attracted me to it.
What is the idea behind a show like Bingo?
The idea behind the show is a great idea, that’s why Idea is sponsoring this idea. Get the idea?
Are you taking any tips as a host from your father?
Not really, because his show is vastly different from mine. And I think the key to being a good host is to be natural, individual and personal.
We have been seeing promos of aaram classes.. Looks like you are giving tips on how to be lazy?
I will tell the marketing team at Colors that theii message has been successfully communicated. The idea here is that it’s a show which is to be enjoyed by relaxing. That’s why we came up with the concept of aaram Classes…we want people to chill out and play this game. There’s no stress, no tension involved at all.
Are you a lazy or laidback kind of a person?
I would love to be! However, my profession doesn’t allow one to be lazy.
What motivates you to work and when do you shy away from it?
My films and my audience motivate me.
Do you seriously think people need tips on how to be lazy?
Some do, and some don’t. But there’s nothing wrong in sharing ones knowledge. Ha ha.
Paa was one of the best films that released this year. What is your response?
Thank you very much. The response has been overwhelming. I don’t think I’ve received this kind of response from one of my films in a very long time.
You are producing a film, which will star your entire family. Can you share some details about it?
The only detail I can share at this juncture is that….. It’s false!
January 2, 2010 at 10:33 AM
Making Of Abhishek’s ‘Bingo’ Show On Colors
http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/broadband/video/Television/7Kew2r77/3/Making-Of-Abhishek-s-Bingo-Show-On-Colors.html
January 4, 2010 at 3:58 AM
Hi, i went for the shoot of Bingo on 3rd January 2010. I would like to share my experience with you. We were called to participate as a contestant for the game show and were told that we will playing the BINGO game show with Mr.Abhishek Bachchan. The shoot was supposed to start at 7:30a.m on 3-1-10, we were informed @ 2.00 a.m in the night that it is postponed to 1:30 p.m. As scheduled we reached the studio @ 1:30 p.m. No one was aware as in when the shoot will start and how many contestants are there. The general audience and contestants were made to sit together in a tent, without any brief. The show organizers were not capable enough to handle a crowd of 200 people and most of the people who never got the message @ 2.00a.m reached the studio by 7:30 a.m thinking that the shoot will start early morning, after reaching their they found that no one is there to assist them or brief them. The crowd kept on coming till 4:00 p.m and was gathered in one single tent and soon the figures reached to 400 plus. The organizers were very confused and it was becoming difficult for them to handle the crowd. I personally met many people who were coming all the way from Thane, Borivali etc. and were waiting @ the studio since morning and some from 1:30 p.m onwards. It was really disappointing to see that such a big channel is not capable enough to handle the crowd of 400 people. At last @ 6:00 p.m we were informed that we need to sign an agreement before appearing for the game show. It was then we found out that everyone in the tent will act like an audience who will be sitting for the game show to clap and show excitement about the game, where in the clebs will be playing the actual game. Most of the people got really upset and had an argument with the organizers and was joined by couples and people who were not even offered a glass of water or any kind of refreshments since afternoon. Later every took the agreement form and undersigned it thinking the show will start in 30mins, but after signing the agreement everyone was made to sit for other 2hrs before the show can even start. By the time it was 8:00 p.m the organizers realized that the contestants and the audience who have been waiting for the game show leaving their work, family needs some refreshment badly, so they called for Tea and biscuits. (BIG MAHARBANI….). Well its 8:10 p.m and we all were asked to enter the studio after long wait of 6hrs in a tent where almost everyone was exhausted and tired. We were made to sit and it took them almost 1 hr to organize the crowd. It was almost @ 9:00 p.m when i really saw everyone pepped up and got charged with energy when Mr.Abhishek Bachchan enterted the set. @ last the time came where we can see Junior Bachchan, dude he was cool and chilled out. The crowd forgot everything for an instance of what they have gone through throughout the day. I feel really sorry to write this, but this is just for the organizers who should realize one thing that when you have a DOM like Mr.Abhishek Bachchan hosting your show, i am sure they should know what they dealing with. It was just Junior Bachchan who made the crowd wait for so long; otherwise people would have left long back. I am sorry guys but very bad coordinators and sorry Mr. Producer you should know how to make the best out of your show. It will be only general people who make HITS & FLOPS dun forget them!!!
January 4, 2010 at 6:41 AM
ohh..i feel very sad 4 u guys..damn these organizers!!!
January 4, 2010 at 6:44 AM
p.s. but wasn’t abhishek shooting 4 rohan sippy’s film??!!! he didnt even mention it on twitter dat he has started shooting 4 bingo!!
January 5, 2010 at 12:20 PM
SRK to Bingo with Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan’s ‘National Bingo Night’ has not even gone on air, and Colors is going all out to make his first outing on the small screen a successful one.
Apparently, Shah Rukh Khan has agreed to be part of the show and has even allotted dates for the same. Says a source, “It is going to be an exciting episode.”
The source further adds that papa Bachchan will possibly be shooting in the next couple of days, and will flag off the show.
Our source says, “Abhishek will open the show with an act followed by Shiamak Davar’s performance. We have just finished shooting one episode. ‘Bigg Boss 3′ winner, Vindu Dara Singh and Pravesh Rana were also present on the sets.
Pravesh enjoyed shooting the episode, and even managed to bag a very pleasant gift for himself. This week we will start filming with a few more guests. Sonali Bendre and Kirron Kher are supposed to be shooting with us too.” Incidentally, the ‘India’s Got Talent’ judges are also Bachchans’ family friends.
Promos with other celebrities are likely to go on air soon, as well.
January 5, 2010 at 12:38 PM
thats very good if srk is coming..but really my interest only lies in HOW IS ABHISHEK GOIN TO PERFORM AS A HOST??!! i hope he is really good!!!
January 5, 2010 at 1:16 PM
It’s all so incestuous with these shows. I was watching Johar’s first episode of Lift karade yesterday with SRK. The extent to which Johar praised SRK in the most hyperbolic language was nauseating, even by his low standards. But the point is that every week there will be a star on the show which automatically assures a certain sort of rating. Dus ka dum also started doing this exclusively with time. On Abhishek’s show his father and spouse will show up, SRK will and obviously others will too. It will still be interesting to see how he performs given it’s a first outing for him but the fact is that all these things are already in place. And I don’t have too many doubts about his doing well here as he has a certain tongue-in-cheek element for this kind of thing. The point is that with so many things in many many of these hosts don’t really have to be superb to make the shows successful. Johar in fairness is still rather articulate for this sort of thing (or for the awards shows). It’s just unfortunate that a lot of what he says is junk.
January 5, 2010 at 2:07 PM
u r quite right..but i really want 2 check out how much NOVELTY ND DIFFERENT (approach) can abhi bring here??coz he is one of d youngest star 2 do this..he has not hosted anythin in d past(not even award shows)..dats my curiosity factor out here!!
January 5, 2010 at 4:16 PM
the show does seem to be developing some real buzz..
January 5, 2010 at 3:23 PM
For his upcoming movie SRK has to Twit, play Bingo, mend fences, act to lift and so on and on…
Let me reproduce what I just wrote on AB”s blog.
“It’s disturbing to learn that U will be on KJO’s show ‘Lift Kara de’. Charity is fine but in your face charity looks plastic, shameful and cruel. KJO and his self-proclaimed world best and the most popular star SRK were at their artificial best in first episode.
Lift Kara de surely is a recycle of Koffee with Karan plus Farha’s ‘Tere mere bich’ and Slumdog millionaire’s theme. I would request/suggest/plead not to associate with it. Let’s don’t forget Adi’s two blunders Dhoom-2 and Chundri and the price/penalty Abhi paid for it”.
January 5, 2010 at 3:36 PM
Apparently Soneli Bendre already taped her appearance because yesterday her husband Goldie Behl tweeted that she had won a car! I had to laugh considering Goldie is best friends with Abhishek.
I’m hoping Ash doesn’t make an appearance on the show but they never listen to me since they have already done one ad together and I was against that!
January 5, 2010 at 4:52 PM
Deepika will be making an appearance on the show too
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/30/2010010620100106024518462e41a0267/Two-is-better-than-one.html
January 7, 2010 at 12:57 PM
I really intrested to participate in bingo game show so plz. let me know about the auditions dates.
Arvind Mohan Gupta, Age-19
BCA, 1st Sem Student
Jivaje University
bingo……::::::)
January 8, 2010 at 6:45 AM
I really intrested to participate in bingo game show so plz. let me know about the auditions dates.
Shivaji Manmode
Shiv-Ganga Niwas
Adarsh Nagar,Pangari Road Beed
January 8, 2010 at 8:37 AM
I have no idea what the process is..
January 8, 2010 at 8:44 AM
Bachchan Jr to rouse the aarami in you
Aminah Sheikh / Mumbai January 07, 2010, 0:20 IST
A few days back, if you were at Mumbai’s Dadar Railway Station or at Delhi’s Rajiv Gandhi Chowk Metro Station, you could not have missed a man sprawled on a sofa with a cushion that read: “Reserved for Abhishek Bachchan classes”. Is Bachchan Jr preparing for an alternate career? Not really. This is on-ground activation aimed to create a buzz for the newest reality show on Colors, National Bingo Night. It will of course be anchored by Bachchan Jr.
There is a mad clutter in the Hindi general entertainment space. Close to a dozen channels vie for the viewer’s attention. Some channels like Colors have managed that with reality shows — celebrities have in the last couple of years done hazardous stunts, stayed in isolation for months, and spent time in dense rainforests. But other channels caught up quickly. So the next rage was reality shows anchored by superstars from filmdom. When that too became passé, channels began to spend vast sums of money to promote their shows. The activity around National Bingo Night should be seen in that light.
It is a show about riding the gravy train without any special effort. The show is based on an international format called Bingo and owned by Fox Television Studio. Here, not just the studio contestants but also the studio audiences and television viewers can play. While the contestant plays in-studio games based on game ball numbers, the studio audiences predict the numbers and try to match them with their tickets. No special skills required to bag prizes. This is the big differentiator of the show.
And this is the theme that will run through the promotional campaigns. Bachchan Jr claims to have won the title of Super Aarami for his expert laziness skills. “Are you an aarami (fond of rest)?” he asks on his promotional website http://www.abhishekaaramclasses.com. The digital initiative clearly shows that Colors hopes to get young viewers to watch the show.
“In our busy lives, one hardly finds the time to chill. And most of us laze while watching television. So what better way to relax than through a television show?” says Colors’ Head of Marketing, Rameet Arora. The show will break later this month.
And how did the idea for the creatives come about? “We were sitting around discussing when one of the members asked if one could actually win all this stuff, even money, without doing any work. And, as a bonus, be entertained, meet his favourite star,” says Hemant Kumar Sivan, the executive creative director of Orchard, the agency that did the creatives for the show. “It was an insight that inspired a volcano of ideas. It is the only show in which you don’t need to do anything to be on top. And the ‘don’t need to do anything’ led to aaram (rest) and a very big creative idea — Abhishek Aaram Classes.”
Innovative shows call for innovative promotion. Thus, hoardings in five cities were booked, which showed giant pillows that read “Abhishek Aaram Classes”. Buses across ten cities displayed banners of Bachchan Jr lazing on a beanbag with the message “Abhishek’s Aaram Classes”. “When we launched the first campaign, nothing suggested that it was a show to be aired on Colors. That’s how we wanted it to be,” explains Arora. The website, which witnessed almost 100,000 hits on day one, runs contests to test your laziness, tips on how to chill and so on. It now has 5,000 to 10,000 new visitors each day. The application for Aaram Classes on social networking site Facebook has around 5,000 fans.
National Bingo Night was revealed in the finale of Bigg Boss 3 on Colors hosted by Amitabh Bachchan. Big B called his son from the studio and asked him what classes he was organising. That’s when the first promo of the show broke. “People have been made aware of the Aaram classes with Bachchan Jr and now the show feels like a natural extension of the classes. The initial campaign didn’t come across as a gimmick to viewers,” says Arora.
Idea Cellular is the title sponsor of National Bingo Night. Promos are already on air. As the show gets closer, multimedia will build the surround sound. This will include the media, radio, out-of-home and on-ground activation. The mass engagement of young audiences on the internet will also be milked. Will this be good enough for Colors? Will it be able to repeat the magic of Khatron Ke Khiladi and Bigg Boss? Over to Bachchan Jr.
January 18, 2010 at 10:08 AM
Big B to be Abhishek’s first guest on Bingo
Actor Abhishek Bachchan, who is the newest celebrity to join the long list of television hosts, says small screen allows film actors to be themselves.
“Our fans and audiences know us through the characters we play in movies. But here, we are not acting and they get to meet us as we are and they judge us as real persons,” Abhishek said at a press conference to announce the launch of weekly game-show National Bingo Night on Colors channel from January 23.
The actor said his father and Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan will be his first guest.
“Paa has advised me to be myself, relax and be nice to the contestants and just pray that they like me,” the 34-year old actor said when asked if his father had given him tips to be the perfect host.
Abhishek said apart from his father, he has still to shoot an episode with Shah Rukh Khan. “I have shot with Vidya Balan, Farhan Akhtar and Deepika Padukone, Kiron Kher and the child stars of Balika Vadhu,” he said.
Abhishek said ‘Anandi’ and ‘Jagya’, the child stars of Balika Vadhu were his friends and he enjoyed shooting with them. “I was part of the serial when I was promoting one of my films,” he said.
Ashwini Yardi, head of Programming, Colors said Abhishek was so fond of the star kids that he would say that he wanted to play Jagya when the character grows up.
January 18, 2010 at 12:51 PM
the new preview does look a lot of fun despite all my reservations about Abhishek doing a TV deal..
January 18, 2010 at 11:24 PM
Colors bets big on game show Bingo
fe Bureaus
Posted online: Jan 19, 2010 at 2311 hrs
MumbaiColors, Viacom 18’s general entertainment channel (GEC) is all set to launch Abhishek Bachchan in their first ever game show Bingo, which premiers on January 23 on the television channel. Colors, known for exploring new content from Balika Vadhu and Uttaran is the first channel to come up with a show where the entire nation can play either by coming onto the sets or just by sitting at home.
The show will have 13 episodes, and Idea Cellular Ltd is the presenting sponsor. According to industry reports, the advertising on the show is being sold at a premium of Rs1.5-2 lakh for 10 seconds, as opposed to regular inventory on Colors, which is sold for up to Rs1.2 lakh. Colors, post its launch in 2008 has brought the television rating points (TRP) of the one time No. 1 Star Plus. The channel is currently giving a tough competition to other GEC players like Zee TV, Star Plus, Sony and NDTV Imagine. Bingo being aired at the 9 p.m. slot it will compete with Music Ka Maha Muqqabala (Star Plus), Mahi Way (Sony) and Dance India Dance2 (Zee TV) in terms of the TRP. Interestingly, according the latest TAM report (Jan 3-9) among these shows, it is only Dance India Dance 2 that has occupied the sixth position among the top ten shows during he second week. On the non-fiction front, the channel has attained the number one position by acquiring shows like Bigg Boss and Fear Factor from content production company Endemol India.
Talking about the show, Ashvini Yardi, programming head, Colors said, “The unique aspect of the show is that television audiences’ can play the game sitting at home. With this show we plan to add variety to our weekend programming. Sam Balsara, Sam Balsara, CMD, Madison World said, “ With the past experience of the channel being on the top slot, it will definitely give neck to neck competition to the other channels.
However, it musty be noted that presence of a top star is not enough to pull up the ratings of any channel, since it solely depends on the content.”
Currently, in week (Jan 3- 9) Colors is ahead in the TRP race with 289 points, followed by Star Plus at 275, Zee TV at 268, Sony at 151, followed by NDTV Imagine at 91. One month prior to the launch of Bingo, the channel had been running a teaser campaign featuring Abhishek Bachchan referring to “aaram classes” leading to a website called abhishekaaramclasses.com, which does not divulge any details either.
For the availability of the tickets, viewers can download it from the aaraamclass website. The channel has also partnered with newspapers like Times of India, Hindustan Times, Dainik Bhaskar and other regional newspapers where the tickets will be available. Idea subscribers can download the ticket from their mobiles and the channel will be distributing tickets through various mediums like dabbawalas, at railway stations, colleges and so on.
The format of the show is based on the international game owned by Fox Television Studios India Pvt Ltd. According to industry reports, the main sponsor Idea is investing Rs 7 crore for the show and the associate sponsor Maruti Suzuki is shelling out Rs 3 crore.
January 19, 2010 at 8:34 AM
‘I don’t compete with my father’
January 19, 2010 at 9:41 AM
Looks like money wins all the time! It looks pretty gimmicky and complicated for a simple old game.
I must state this that Aamir has won the prestige association from Bachchans. Sad, but true.
January 20, 2010 at 7:34 AM
Abhishek interview with devansh Patel
January 21, 2010 at 7:15 AM
Color is on Dish network ch-651 started beaming here.
January 21, 2010 at 10:36 PM
January 22, 2010 at 12:56 AM
I want playing bingo with Abhishesk on colours.
Please tell me how can entry there
please register me
Name k. c. Rathore
Agra
Phone : 09411602988
January 22, 2010 at 1:00 AM
http://www.abhishekaaramclasses.com/quiz.php
I don’t have any info beyond this.. apparently the audience at home can also participate but I don’t know how..
January 22, 2010 at 9:18 AM
TOI:
You’re making your debut on television as a host. You will be compared to your father, who created history on small screen. How do you feel about it?
I am getting tired of this constant comparison with Dad. Who doesn’t like to be compared to Amitabh Bachchan? He is the best of what we have and will have. As his son, it’s a great honor for me. Being his son this comparison is obvious. I never had a problem with this comparison. He has been on television and has created history. Nobody is going to be a bigger actor than him. Nobody can make a bigger mark in Indian cinema and world cinema than him, and achieve what he has achieved and I don’t intend to compete with my father. But you can’t allow that to pull you down. I am his son and his biggest fan. I want him to be around forever and I want him to be the best. And if you want to know that as his son I hope to outdo that, then the answer is ‘No’. No son wants to compete with his father. I am more than happy to stand behind in his shadow.
2009 ended with you in a producer’s role and 2010 started with you in a new role of television show host. Are there any other roles you are planning to take up this year?
My first television show will be aired on Saturday. After I finish shooting for Bingo’s first season, I will get back to my films, since there are lots lined up. So you will see me in different roles this year, too.
How is your show different from other game shows?
We have just fiction, non-fiction and educational shows on television. Today, Indian television has blossomed so wonderfully; that fiction as well as non-fiction shows have made a mark for themselves. Bingo has a bit of everything. I can’t categorize it as any particular genre. The thing that makes it different from other game shows is that the entire family can take part in it. There is no age restriction. This game show introduces a new genre to India, where even the home viewing audience can participate.
The game looks like ‘Housie’…
In Housie, the numbers are from 1 to 99, whereas in Bingo the numbers are from 1 to 75.
Whenever Big B is on any television show, the TRPs increases, so…
That’s the reason I’ve made sure he will be there on my show.
How was the experience shooting with him?
I have been on shows with him earlier too. I have yet to shoot that episode with him, so will come to know about it later. It will be a lot of fun!
How long did it take to convince you to take on the show?
Two days! We had been discussing it for some time, but couldn’t adjust my dates. When they narrated the concept, I asked to see some episodes shown on foreign channels. They showed me the ‘Australian’ Bingo. That’s when I decided it was something I wanted to do.
How much television do you watch? What’s your definition of ‘Aaram’?
Very rarely do we get a chance to relax or do some ‘aaram’. On Tv too, I just watch the news. Most of the time, I like to spend time with family or just chilling.
Which is your favourite game show?
Undoubtedly, KBC!
Since Bingo is based on an international format, what changes have been made for the Indian audience?
We can’t change the original format, but keeping the Indian audience in mind, we have Indianised the show with more conversation, naach gaana, etc.
How do you think a show’s content should ideally be?
It’s very difficult to answer. We want freedom of speech as the Constitution says. I personally believe that whatever is shown on the television should be responsible. I don’t like to associate myself with something which is irresponsible. This goes for my brand endorsements as well. Having said that, I am not going to stop somebody from doing anything they enjoy as it’s their personal choice.
Lots of Bollywood stars are doing television, do you think the time will come when stars will do TV and movies together?
Why not? I don’t differentiate between television and movies. In both, you are acting. We are actors, not stars. If you are passionate about acting, the medium doesn’t matter. If the role inspires me and I want to be part of it, then I am open to acting on television.
You have been on many talk shows hosted by your friends like Farhan Akhtar. Now, since the roles are reversed, how does the equation change?
Many of my guests have been very good friends of mine so I try to take advantage of that. Farhan Akhtar has grown up with me, we are from the same fraternity and he has been gracious enough to accept my invite to play Bingo on my show. Whether he won or not, you’ll have to watch the episode to find out. And contrary to media belief, though we are from the same fraternity, we do get along very well and like each other.
You’re said to be quite a prankster, so will you play pranks on participants as well?
I am not a prankster. Actually, it’s tiring to explain. I have always said that, when I am on the sets shooting, I am a very limited actor. I get very conscious. I have my inhibitions, and in order to free those inhibitions so that I can perform to my best, I try to make an atmosphere which is positive. I believe the atmosphere should be calm and relaxed. If I see things tense, I try to relax the mood. I don’t play pranks. If you ask me who the pranksters really are then I will tell you it’s someone like Suniel Shetty or Ajay Devgan. I just have fun when I shoot.
Lots of actors are concentrating on television or movies in Hollywood. Do you think this will leave our movies behind?
I don’t understand the big hype about Hollywood. A lot of our actors do regional movies. I myself have done three Bengali movies. What’s the big deal? Like any other regional language they have done an English movie, that’s all! There is nothing like ‘our’ movie and ‘their’ movie. We are all actors and are just doing our jobs, but in different languages.
Has television opened a new source of income for actors?
Who said there is more money in television? I know everybody has reasons to believe otherwise, but actors are not like that. By end of the day, if they are not passionate about their work, they are not going to do it. There are many ways to make money for an actor. I don’t think any actor worth his or her salt would have done television only because of money. The money we get for TV is equivalent to movies. The same goes for my endorsements. I don’t endorse products only because they are offering me good money.
Any plans to bring AB Corp. into television?
Not yet. Right now, we are concentrating only on movies.
What does this show mean to you on a personal level?
It will give people a chance to see the ‘real’ Abhishek. Till now, they have only seen me in various characters like Gurukant Desai, Lallan, Sameer, but for the first time, they get to meet the real me. And that’s exciting for me.
January 23, 2010 at 2:14 PM
i was hoping 4 a better show..i was a lill dissappointed!! first..the format itself was a little confusing..nd second abhishek was not in his elements today..he seemed a bit subdued in front of his father..maybe..it was d pressure of d first show!! but..i have not lost hope..i will be again in front of my idiot box at 9 pm on colors next saturday.i m hoping it will get better!! keep it coming junior b..love u..all d best!!
January 23, 2010 at 4:14 PM
I found it to be an assured debut. The format of a game show doesn’t allow all that much by way of a stand up performance. Admittedly you need to squeeze in those nuggets wherever you can but he certainly looked in control. Of course having Bachchan go through some of his greatest hits also meant that Bachchan pere held the stage for considerable bits of time. But hey this is Amitabh Bachchan! You don’t upend him even if he seemed a bit detached today even as he was obviously doing everything well. Jha suggested in a story that he made it for the recording at very much the last minute and that might have been part of it.
One of the things with many of these shows on Indian TV is that stars host and stars are the principal guests.It’s a bit hard for the shows to not entertain. Dus ka dum for example wasn’t about celebrities at one point but over time became exclusively so. Given the relatively low bar for this sort of thing the fact that Johar’s show is so miserable means something.
The other thing that disgusted me about Johar’s show is the whole ‘porn’ element with respect to the impoverished or the slightly better. Somehow this whole glitzy affair is helping out those folks and hence we cut from the studio to an extremely downmarket area in Delhi where we can then be treated to various kinds of physical malformation and so forth. The star who attends and the fanatical fan (who makes even the severest partisans on blogs look reasonable) is only help out for a charitable cause. I’m sure the people who do get helped don’t mind the vulgarity of the enterprise but as a viewer it is nonetheless nauseating to behold.
January 23, 2010 at 4:25 PM
I might add, with respect to the last paragraph, that, unlike with the Slumdog Millionaire brouhaha, no-one has made public protests — is poverty porn only problematic if “outsiders” do it?
January 23, 2010 at 4:30 PM
good point there Qalandar..
January 23, 2010 at 4:35 PM
the only thing is dat i want 2 see a SPARKLING junior b.coz i know he has d ability 2 be so..(remember his emotional nd witty at d same time kinda speech at iifa last year..he was too good there..)..i just thought he lacked d ZING 2day..i m hoping much better stuff in future!! i m an ardent fan of his nd want the best 4 him…but if he is lacking somewhere,,i will point out nd hope he will improve upon this!!
p.s. the karan johar show is PLAIN BAD..altho sallu’s episode was quite fun actually..as a big “koffee with karan” fan..i m disappointed with this one!!
January 23, 2010 at 4:40 PM
yes Salman with his digs still elevated things somewhat..
January 23, 2010 at 10:22 PM
Somehow, I find this whole concept of the father son duo promoting a game show really distasteful. Colors have a done a combo deal, buy one get one free or at least at half the cost price. The only reality show I loved AB in has been KBC. A classy show worthy of his stature unlike Big Boss. Abhishek should not be getting distracted with reality television when the reality of his acting is just beginning to sink in. He does not need this now. At the end of the day, everybody is out to make quick bucks, cashing in on new concepts. The Bachchans are no different.
January 23, 2010 at 10:48 PM
OK, I have read through all 76 comments here, and I still don’t understand what the “game” is here! If it’s the American game of bingo, where is ther “guessing” involved in that? Someone calls out the numbers and you either have them or not on your card. It’s a pure luck based game. So how can the audience at home participate? Obviously the “game” has been changed, but I wish someone will explain it to me.
I am also amused on the amount of stress laid on the fact that you don’t have to know anything or use your brains to win this game. Everyone’s dream, I guess!
January 23, 2010 at 11:33 PM
The audience hooks up online and I think if they get the combo the star calls out they win a lakh or something. It is the Bingo we’re all familiar with a few variations introduced.
January 23, 2010 at 11:03 PM
OK, I just noticed the video link at the top (blushing). I feel foolish, but still hope someone can spare me the trouble of watching the video and just tell me what the actual “game” consists of.
January 25, 2010 at 12:24 AM
Agree with the comments of Sharmila and Offside.
Agree with Sharmila’s comment about KBC and Amitabh–that was one classy show worthy of his stature–unlike Big Boss. KBC involved an intelligent activity like quizzing. The thing with quizzing is that you need to have a certain amount of knowledge and awareness–but you can also get lucky with a calculated and intelligent guess.
I have not tuned into the Bingo show, nor have I bothered to watch Lift Kara De. I found Koffee with Karan entertaining, witty, bitchy occasionally but also fun–and I wish Karan had simply gone on to do Koffee with Kaeran 3. Did not like Farah Khan’s show either. Frankly, it was boring and ordinary for the most part.
Agree with Offside that Aamir has kept his prestige flag flying (not the exact words used by Offside–but you get the meaning)–by not succumbing to the lure of tv. I am happy with his once a year films and occasional production, the small film that tries to work. Wonder what is going to be fate of Peepli Live at Sundance–but am not too bothered either. At least it got that platform, reached it. The film was supposed to be shown at Sundance on 24th afternoon–but so far not a peep out of Aamir either at his blog or on fb.
If Aamir were ever to do tv , I hope it will be something like a tv series on individual efforts to save environment. Aamir could play sutradhar.
January 25, 2010 at 1:58 AM
Sukanya Varma:
http://movies.rediff.com/review/2010/jan/25/tv-review-abhishek-bachchan-bingo.htm
January 25, 2010 at 5:50 AM
Balika badhu is much more than “‘tears”"…Its is addressing some of the important social issues with a very effective way…
January 25, 2010 at 10:41 PM
The ratings appeared to be very good according to Pritesh Nandy on twitter
PritishNandy
@juniorbachchan Amap ratings show NBN debut at 3.5% as against Akshay’s KKK debut (1.67%) and Salman’s DKD debut (2.54%). Celebrate?
@juniorbachchan. Hold on. You have even bettered ratings of Bigg Boss Season 3 debut with Sr. NBN 3.5% vs BB3 3.24%. Still wanna celebrate?
http://twitter.com/PritishNandy
January 25, 2010 at 10:54 PM
great to hear, and LOL on that final bit!
January 26, 2010 at 12:01 AM
Paa seems to have begun a good phase for Abhishek!
January 26, 2010 at 12:02 AM
and of course Paa was part of the debut episode as well. He deserves some credit!
January 26, 2010 at 1:00 AM
Stars in their prime must not get into television shows. It almost always dilutes stardom, unless the show proves to be super successful, like in Salman or Amitabh’s case.
January 26, 2010 at 8:22 AM
i agree sandy..but i think since this is like once a week deal..i think ..it wont impact abhishek’s standing dat much i feel..AND a big yaayy!!! on fine ratings for bingo nights..lets see if it can sustain deese ratings!!
January 26, 2010 at 8:47 AM
I saw Bingo for 5 minutes and could not not bear to see more. Somewhat despo to refer to daughter-in-law etc, knowing that is what will get the audience attention!
The show might still be okay, but the studio audience are being made to fake expressions. That is the funniest. I mean, I know placards are held in front of them prompting them to ‘Applaud’ but I actually saw a woman going ‘wow’ and the whole audience erupting into claps when there was nothing really that great happening. This might just turn out to be a funny show.
January 26, 2010 at 9:01 AM
the first episode left me a bit disappointed too..but i m hoping for better episodes in d future!!
January 26, 2010 at 9:22 AM
yeah one of the things here is that curiosity alone could get high TRPs on the first episode. Maintaining it is another matter. But again as I also said a few days ago let’s not kid ourselves about this either. Many of these reality shows depend on stars being around all the time. Dus ka dum had only the occasional celebrity once upon a time and now it’s only celebrities. Johar’s show has celebrities. Bachchan in KBC 1 remains untouchable of course but even KBC 2 was way ahead of 3 and of course that was the last bit SRK did. His own Paachvi Paas was a resounding failure (again no celebrities). Even the talent shows depend on celebrities either being around all the time by way of judges and/or appearing regularly on the same. And it’s not just celebrities but film celebrities. In the US for example there are clear dividing lines. Movies stars just do movies. The exceptions are few and far between and usually people with thriving film career don’t venture into TV. Certainly no movie figure ever does a reality show’s. There are very separate talents for this sort of thing. In India it’s filmstars doing everything from KBC to Fear Factor to Bingo to what not. I eagerly await the time when movie stars will do the newscasts as well!
January 26, 2010 at 3:09 PM
Economics Times
“ABHISHEK Bachchan could well fancy a career as a TV host, now that he has had a Bingo debut. According to overnight TV audience measurement agency Audience Map (Amap), ratings for the actor’s National Bingo Night’s first episode (3.5%) have surpassed those of the first episode of Akshay Kumar’s debut Khatron Ke Khiladi season 1 (1.67%) and Salman Khan’s Dus Ka Dum season 1 (2.54%).
[for more follow the link in the post]
January 26, 2010 at 3:25 PM
On the side note KJO needs uplifting for himself and YRF…
On January 1, the colour of your TV screen will be red,” promised YRF TVs promotional campaign. The hype preceded the launch of a five show-package for the weekend slot on Sony, namely Powder, Mahi Way, Lift Kara De, Seven and Rishta.com.
Three weeks have passed since and the TRPs are far from encouraging and the YRF TV shows that cost the channel over Rs 50 lakh each in promotional expenses, have left viewers unimpressed. Advertisers aren’t showing interest either.
Karan Johar playing host on Lift Kara De didn’t get great reviews. The show opened at 1.3 and reached 1.4 over the next two weeks. Mahi Way, inspired by Sony’s previous hit, Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin, is probably the only show showing some growth.
The ratings of Seven have come down from 1.1 to 0.9. Powder, despite a tight script rated just 0.5 and has since dipped to 0.3 and Rishta.com could only garner 0.6.
Danish Khan of Sony says, “We didn’t expect them to take a flying start but are hoping they will grow, slowly but surely.” Khan insists that the ratings that have been circulating are incorrect. Rubbishing rumours that Yash Raj Films plans to move into the weekday primetime slot, Khan says, “No show will be moved from its current slot.”
Karan Johar who received flak for Lift Kara De defends himself. “I’m more comfortable speaking in English. The concept of the chat show is novel and noble,” he says.
January 26, 2010 at 5:15 PM
not surprised.. I find Johar’s show quite horrible.
January 26, 2010 at 5:13 PM
yes I saw this yesterday (link above).
January 26, 2010 at 10:13 PM
Ha Ha Ha Satyam – Moviestars doing new casts…hee hee hee..cannot get better than this!
January 28, 2010 at 2:37 PM
The official ratings for the debut show are much higher than initially estimated. Actually Pritish Nandy first reported it on Twitter to Abhishek. Here is the report:
Abhishek Bachchan beats SRK, Salman in debut ratings
By GAURAV LAGHATE
Indiantelevision.com Team
(28 January 2010 10:10 pm)
MUMBAI: It was father Amitabh Bachchan that turned the fortunes of Star Plus with his debut on television in the game show Kaun Banega Crorepati. Almost a decade later, son Abhishek has had a remarkable opening, beating his Bollywood peers Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan to post record ratings as audiences hooked on to the weekend primetime game show National Bingo Night.
Junior Bachchan surged ahead of all other celebrities on first-day ratings for the last two years, according to Tam data. Of course, he had the support of his ‘Paa’ who came as the first contestant.
The debut episode of National Bingo Night on Colors clocked a TVR of 5.1 on 23 January, making the show the highest rated non-fiction launch in the last two years.
http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k10/jan/jan225.php
January 28, 2010 at 4:28 PM
WOW!!!
January 28, 2010 at 4:37 PM
does anyone know who’s on in the second episode?
January 28, 2010 at 4:47 PM
National Bingo Night hits the jackpot, for now
Aminah Sheikh / Mumbai January 29, 2010, 0:49 IST
Amitabh Bachchan wouldn’t mind losing this one. His son, Abhishek, who made his television debut on Colors, has managed the highest television viewership rating for any celebrity show with National Bingo Night.
The show has got a rating of 5.1, much more than the first episode of Bigg Boss (also on Colors a couple of months earlier) that the senior Bachchan hosted. In the process, Abhishek has outperformed the other celebrities as well — Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, et al. The ratings have been given by TV rating agency TAM Media Research.
But, the jury is out on whether National Bingo Night will be able to sustain its ratings. Experts feel weeks of hype created around the show has helped the initial rating. Also, the illustrious father can claim some credit. Amitabh Bachchan was the first participant at the show and came up with one of his best performances.
CASHING IN ON THE MOOLAH
TV VIEWERSHIP RATINGS (TVR) OF CELEBRITY SHOWS ON DEBUT DAY
Celebrity Programme Year TVR
Abhishek Bachchan National Bingo Night 2010 5.1
Amitabh Bachchan Bigg Boss 3 2009 4.6
Shah Rukh Khan Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain 2008 4.6
Akshay Kumar Khatron Ke Khiladi 2 2009 4.4
Rakhi Sawant Rakhi Ka Swayamvar 2009 4.1
Shilpa Shetty Bigg Boss 2 2008 2.5
Salman Khan Das Ka Dum 2009 2.2
Source: TAM Media Research
Amitabh also promoted the show big time during the finale of Bigg Boss 3. Big B called his son from the TV studio and asked him what classes he was organising. That’s how the viewers were introduced to the show after almost a month’s promotion running across the out-of-home media talking about ‘Abhishek’s Aarami Classes’.
“With the success of Paa, the father-son duo have been top of the mind for audiences. This has helped the show’s ratings. Colors has done a smart thing by capitalising on the show at the right time. Also the format is new. All these factors have helped in record ratings,” said Shubha George, MD, MediaEdge.
The show is based on an international format called Bingo and owned by Fox Television Studio. Here, not just the studio contestants, but also the studio audiences and television viewers can play. While the contestant plays in-studio games based on game ball numbers, the studio audiences predict the numbers and try to match these with their tickets. No special skills are required to bag prizes.
Ashvini Yardi, Programming Head, Colors, said: “There was a huge wave of interest amongst the viewers to play the game of Bingo with Abhishek. The format of the show is so simple, the ease with which Abhishek conducts the game and the Saturday 9 pm time slot is all so perfect, that it gives the entire family a chance to sit and play together, enjoy and win prizes.”
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/national-bingo-night-hitsjackpot-for-now/383973/
January 28, 2010 at 5:49 PM
Some more random musings-
Pardon me -Only Some of them relevant to the topic–lol-
I have just seen only a few portions of this show called bingo.
As a background-i am lurker who posts v v rarely.
I am undeniably an amitabh fan . Like it or not, due to some form of transferrence, i have got some form of empathy/ support for abhi.
i liked him in yuva and adored him in guru (one of his best performance till date)
Few may agree ( because of not seeing the movie) but abhi has given a gem of a performance in a “disaster/flop” called umrao jaan. Satyam’s views will be welcome on this (if he has seen it)
I just saw it again since they played multiple repeats in the UK last week.
Maybe unrelated to the topic- maybe i am the only one- but i really appreciated the effort, sensitivity gone into the movie . The movie was undoubtedly slow but had many tings going for it.
i didnt know this earlier but a casual glance at the credits enablled me to discover an excellent but under rated dialogue writers of bollywood – op dutta (jp dutta father)- pure brilliance- excellent merging of avadhi dialect into the conventional “bollywood” lingo.
the music by annu malik and the singing by alka yagnik was excellent. damn the critics and damn the box office- i dont care- one of the best is my humble verdict.
bravo performance by aish.
and now coming to the “cameo” by abhi.
i think (maybe my thinking is affected by the bacardi right now)- the best performance by abhishek bachchan till now.
the interaction between shabana azami and abhi is classy (for want of a better word)
it restored some faith in abhi in my mind.
to be frank and honest, i have recently had thoughts of amitabh subtly forcing abhi’s (wrong ) career choice (aka parikshit sahni in 3I or the guy playing darsheel’s father in tzp)
Irrepective of the “positive” reviews about abhi’s trp beating “performance” in bingo- i felt otherwise.
his body language, dress sense, screen presence etc left a lot to be desired. Seldom has such a show NEEDED an “ali baba” so much as in this one.
i really got a feeling that abhi will have to literally pull up his socks really hard to keep this show afloat- forget about breaking non ab trp records.
sorry ab, abhi – i am your genuine fan- cant give you a false sugar-coated feedback.
Besides, i feel my patience is running out about abhi doing an AB ( a spectacular turn around)
He does promise this ever so often but has not really done it yet (barring guru). I still cannot get over the missed opportunity called delhi 6.
Whatever may be their justification, I cannot forgive mehra and abhi making a mess of ar rahman’s cult music here.
January 28, 2010 at 8:05 PM
http://satyamshot.wordpress.com/2009/03/08/the-2-umrao-jaans/#comment-1908
January 29, 2010 at 9:19 AM
January 29, 2010 at 9:53 AM
abhishek interview:
http://www.screenindia.com/news/follow-your-lazy-luck/572046/
January 30, 2010 at 1:15 PM
Superb little dig at RGV fof killing him off in SR , must have realised he got a very raw deal from the sequel . Still think RGV used him to get to senior especially with his so called earlier praise before he started working with senior that he believed Abhishek was the better actor of the two . Now that he’s firmly entrenched with senior suddenly there’s no work for junior .
January 30, 2010 at 1:26 PM
RGV said in a recent interview when asked about getting Abhishek for Rann that he would get the two together only if there was something special! What’s the logic here? That Bachchan’s ok when it’s not special?! I will say this — RGV will need something very special to now get Abhishek on board!
January 30, 2010 at 4:05 PM
Agree with that fully and once he handed RC to Viveck which he claims is his most ambitious to date he showed what he really thought of Abhishek . By also saying only if there was something special will he work with both , he is basically saying he would only cast Abhishek with his father as some kind of package deal
January 30, 2010 at 5:14 PM
Aramak, frankly that doesn’t make much sense from the guy who’s done solos with everyone imaginable at every grade of talent and success! On RC why do you assume that Abhishek would have done it?! I think the fact that SR didn’t hit it out of the park, whatever the reason, is a blot on RGV’s record. You don’t get three bachchans together for just something half decent at the box office.
January 30, 2010 at 4:58 PM
That was not a dig or put down from Abhishek. That was merely a joke from Abhishek about saving his brooding and seriousness only for RGV movies. It was a joke. I suppose some don’t have sense of humours or need to develop some humour. Also there are no troubles between RGV and Abhishek. Abhishek has been nothing but cordial and encouraging about RGV, Rann, and even congratulated Oberoi on bagging RC.
After all Abhishek during the last 5 years has been working with some of the choicest and best directors in India. And currently Abhishek has the best line up of movies he has had since debuting 10 years ago. And he is busy adding to that very promising line up. Abhishek is doing vastly well in his career. No need for him to care one whit about not being in a RGV movie. There are no worries from Abhishek. I’m personally stoked that Abhishek is currently not being featured in any RGV movies. Since I think barring a few movies in the past(Satya, Rangeela, Company, and Sarkar) RGV is a vastly inept and over rated director.
January 30, 2010 at 1:24 AM
Junior Bachchan sets new TVR record with ‘National Bingo Night’
First it was the legend Amitabh Bachchan with the game show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ who set the cash registers ringing with unheard of TVR, and now proving his own is son Abhishek who broke all previous limits to emerge as the top contender when it comes to the TVR game.
We learnt that with the recently launched game show ‘National Bingo Night’ on Colors, Abhishek has become the new rage, setting the highest record in terms of TVR (Television Viewership Ratings) for an opening night as compared to most of the other shows hosted by Bollywood stars. The first episode of the show which was aired last Saturday (Jan 23rd) garnered a TVR of 5.1 which is much higher than the first episode of shows like ‘Bigg Boss Season 3′ (TVR- 4.6), ‘Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain?’ (TVR- 4.6) and ‘Fear Factor- Khatron Ke Khiladi Season 2′ (TVR- 4.4)
Speaking about this, a visibly elated Abhishek said, “I have just been informed by the Colors team that the opening ratings of ‘National Bingo Night’ have broken all records. I am happy that through this show, I have got a fantastic opportunity to connect with people from all corners of India. And if the ratings are anything to go by then I am excited with the sheer outreach television as a medium has to offer – I am happy that people watched my debut episode with much anticipation and that we have got winning numbers in TVRs.”
Well with such impressive ratings, all we can say is that Jr. Bachchan is here to stay.
January 30, 2010 at 1:37 AM
Bingo time for Abhi, Arshad
TNN, 30 January 2010, 12:00am IST
After a fun-filled and electrifying first episode with Paa Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan is back with the second episode of National Bingo Night. This time around, he is joined by his co-star from Paa, Vidya Balan and the man with the impeccable comic timing, Arshad Warsi.
The jodi will play a game of Bingo with Abhishek while sharing anecdotes from their upcoming film. While Vidya plays Bingo, a lady’s voice in the studio audience manages to reach Vidya’s ears! Every time Vidya listens to what this particular Aunty (that’s how Vidya addresses her) said, she ended up winning that round of Bingo!
However, Arshad’s game is jinxed by ‘Pinku’ – an irritating pink Bingo Ball. The ball keeps returning like a harbinger of bad luck, thus making Arshad lose every time it appears! Every time ‘Pinku’ comes up, Abhishek quips about the Return of Pinku Part I, Part II, Part III…
So, did Aunty’s charm help Vidya win the game? Did the ‘Pinku Jinx’ really jinx Arshad’s victory, or did he conquer the Pinku curse? To know more tune in to National Bingo Night tonight at 9 on Colors.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tv-/Bingo-time-for-Abhi-Arshad/articleshow/5513090.cms
January 30, 2010 at 12:53 PM
I think there was more energy on this episode.. the game itself isn’t exciting really but Abhishek does seem to be holding it together.. they’ve of course added the cricket and credit card bit as well..
January 30, 2010 at 12:59 PM
i love it now..i saw dis episode on colors 2day nd liked it much more dan d last one..today abhishek was more enthusiastic nd had dat zing nd spunk dat he was missing in d last episode…d format is weak but since i downloaded my tickets frm d net..i was playing at home 2day..nd missed bingo by just 2 no.s..i was much more involved today nd hence d weakness of d format didnt hurt much..plus it helped dat d episode was much more fun 2day:)..go junior b!!
January 30, 2010 at 1:28 PM
can’t stand Ali Asghar though..
January 30, 2010 at 1:36 PM
next week it’s SRK and Johar.
January 31, 2010 at 10:48 AM
Dad and I signed for ‘Bigg Boss’, ‘Bingo’ same day: Abhishek
January 31st, 2010
Dad and I signed for ‘Bigg Boss’, ‘Bingo’ same day: Abhishek
New Delhi, Jan 31 – If you think Abhishek Bachchan is following in father Amitabh’s footsteps by doing TV show ‘Bingo’, months after Big B hosted reality show ‘Bigg Boss’, think again. The father-son duo actually signed the deals on the same day.
‘We both signed on ‘Bigg Boss’ and ‘Bingo’ on the same day. At the start of last year when Colors (channel) spoke to us, we actually signed the contracts on the same day but they did not want ‘Bigg Boss’ and ‘Bingo’ to clash,’ Abhishek told reporters here.
‘They first wanted to air ‘Bigg Boss’ and then ‘Bingo’,’ added the 33-year-old who was in the capital to promote his TV debut ‘National Bingo Night’.
Bachchan senior had struck gold with his TV debut as the host for the first two seasons of quiz show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’. He followed it up as a pop philosopher for ‘Bigg Boss 3′.
January 31, 2010 at 3:11 PM
‘Bingo’ clocks top reality TV views since 2008
February 1, 2010 at 9:11 AM
Catching up with Pa’s fame? No way, says Abhishek
February 2, 2010 at 9:26 AM
Anchoring is easier than acting: Abhishek
February 3, 2010 at 9:51 AM
February 6, 2010 at 10:14 AM
Abhishek:
[BINGO is going to be shooting in Baroda for the next 2 days. Dying to meet all the gujju bhais and bens!☺ GURUBHAI is making a comeback!]
February 6, 2010 at 10:37 AM
It’s no longer Baroda.In 1974 it changed from Baroda to Vadodara. Interestingly In 1907, a small village and township in Michigan, was named after Baroda and still called Baroda!!
February 6, 2010 at 10:41 AM
I’m sure he knows that.. I’m with him on this though.. I love the colonial versions of many of these names!
Jokes aside some name changes are more justifiable than others. I don’t have an equal problem in all instances but being part of a blog in English, which language I would have been unlikely to write in barring British history in the subcontinent I would find it a little hypocritical to just reject their ‘names’!
February 6, 2010 at 10:41 AM
On French news they apparently still use the French equivalents of “Peking” and “Bombay”!
February 6, 2010 at 10:43 AM
PS– I will say that I don’t think “Vadodara” ever caught on with non-Gujaratis the way some other name-changes have. “Chennai” has been the most successful (one hardly hears anyone say “Madras” these days), but among Hindi/Urdu speakers one hears “Banaras”, “Baroda” quite frequently. Because these aren’t just “British versions” of these names, they have a long history of Hindi/Urdu usage too, and have come into those languages on that basis. Thus Ghalib’s letters will refer to either “Banaaras” or “Kashi” etc.
February 6, 2010 at 10:49 AM
Controversies are surreal recipe of getting eye balls so let me drag Abhi into it!!
Jokes apart ‘Vadodara’ never ever caught even with Gujjus.
February 6, 2010 at 12:19 PM
Abhishek tells Johar ‘I’ll give you 3 balls’
Johar responds ‘what God doesn’t give a Bachchan gives’!
What in God’s name is this humor on Johar’s part?!
February 6, 2010 at 3:10 PM
LOL. I actually think it is quite funny tho a little risque.
February 6, 2010 at 3:17 PM
yup..me too found it really funny..have to admit..i really laughed hard on dis one!!
February 6, 2010 at 3:15 PM
Well SRK said himself that Karan has a dirty mind. LOL
February 6, 2010 at 3:21 PM
Oh, the wannabe porn star who lusts after Megan Fox !
Pot calling the kettle black.
February 6, 2010 at 3:31 PM
LOL!
February 6, 2010 at 2:32 PM
The one thing I object to is that just because it’s SRK and it’s MNIK they have this strong definably Muslim contingent there in the audience!
February 6, 2010 at 7:02 PM
At one point he said ‘yahan sabhi khan hain’ which gives one the idea that perhaps they invited all Khans.
February 7, 2010 at 10:34 PM
for the ratings to only dip slightly from a debut episode featuring Amitabh Bachchan actually suggests an excellent holdover. And the ratings must certainly have gone up again with the SRK/Johar episode. He’s got it made with this one.
February 8, 2010 at 9:17 AM
February 9, 2010 at 10:21 AM
I hope he stops yelling all the time!
He looks better here than in the SRK episode, though.
The ratings are actually not a surprise for what they are. It’s his first tv outing and he’s calling all the stars that he’s amiable with. Not that there’s anything wrong there.
February 8, 2010 at 2:12 PM
After Baroda the next Bingo episode will be shot in Amritsar.
February 9, 2010 at 9:22 AM
Abhishek promises more visits to state promoted by Paa
TNN, 8 February 2010, 10:35pm IST
VADODARA: Abhishek Bachchan’s maiden visit to the city has left the actor mesmerised. And, he wants to come back to the state more often along with his father Amitabh Bachchan, who recently agreed to be brand ambassador for Gujarat. Junior Bachchan also shared that this state is special for him as his first film Refugee was shot in Bhuj.
Will Abhishek join his father to promote the state? “I will come here along with my father, connect to large number of people and explore various Gujarati cuisines. I have visited Ahmedabad earlier and this is my first visit to Vadodara. There are many people from this state who are working with and contributing to Indian film industry,” replied Abhishek, who was in the city to shoot a special episode for a game show
he is hosting on a television channel.
While the actor could not move around the city, he said he is awed by the grandeur and architectural beauty of Laxmi Vilas Palace. He also added that it’s one of the most beautiful palaces that he has ever come across in his life.
Asked why they had chosen Vadodara to shoot the special episode, Bachchan junior said, “We want to take this show to every nook and corner of the country. The backdrop for the episode shot in the city is simply stunning and it’s great to see that so many people have been turning up for the event. I would definitely want to come to city again.”
Apart from Laxmi Vilas Palace, the actor is all fascinated by the Gujarati food. “I did try out the Gujarati thali at a well-known restaurant here and was amazed with the variety of food served and packed in one single meal. I liked what was served on the platter. When I come back next time, I would want to explore other dishes relished by the people in state,” he said.
February 9, 2010 at 9:43 AM
Vadodara and Palace takes back in memory lane-though Palace was ‘Ghar ki murghi daal barabar’ at that time and now from here in NJ it fascinates along with everyone.
February 9, 2010 at 9:47 AM
It is indeed a stunning palace… thanks for the video..
here’s a related post.. if one follows the link there some truly striking images from Ahmedabad’s architecture:
http://satyamshot.wordpress.com/2010/02/02/bachchan-becomes-brand-ambassador-for-gujarat/
February 9, 2010 at 9:59 AM
satyam you are definitely invited to ahmedabad if ever u come here..
i will take u for local sighseeing.. between theres a plcae called gir in gujarat which is only habitat of asiatic lion which u might be interested to know about..
and do inform in advance
between u stay in america i know but which city
February 9, 2010 at 11:10 AM
thanks very much Rooney..
NY.
February 9, 2010 at 11:11 AM
The Gir forest is legendary! Would love to check it out at some point in life.
February 9, 2010 at 10:02 AM
satyam u will be interested to know we have the biggest coastline in india.. though undevoloped.. reason is this state is not tourism mined ..its industry based..
also here there is prohibition means u cant drink in gujarat which is tough for travellers.. but great gujarati tradition
February 9, 2010 at 4:17 PM
Amitabh Bachchan is one and only: Abhishek
Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan today said he refused to host Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) Junior, after roaring success of the show hosted by his father Amitabh Bachchan.
“I had refused the offer of becoming a host to Junior KBC after success of KBC show conducted by my father,” he said.
Abhishek, who was here to shoot for the reality show “Bingo” to be aired on Colors channel, said,” Amitabh Bachchan ek hi tha, hai and rahega (Amitabh Bachchan is one and only and will be so) and there cannot be any comparison.”
“Bingo” gives opportunity to viewers to participate in the progranmme and win prizes by sitting at their homes.
Abhishek said his father’s good will helped him getting entry into Bollywood. He said it was his family contribution for making him what he is today.
He advised students appearing for the board examination to do their best in the examinations and do not get disappointed by failures.
He refused to comment on Shah Rukh Khan-Shiv Sena controversy, saying his job is to act and he would continue to play role of actor.
About Royal Laxmi Vilace Palace, where shooting of “Bingo” is going on, he said he was impressed by the beauty and richness of the palace.
February 9, 2010 at 4:22 PM
February 15, 2010 at 4:43 PM
Abhishek Bachchan makes a fashion statement in Bingo
February 15th, 2010
February 15, 2010: ‘Bingo’ which is currently on-air on Colors channel has been getting a great response… and not just because of suave hosting by Abhishek Bachchan! It seems Abhishek is making quite a fashion statement with his snazzy wardrobe that is getting a whole load of attention.
And well where there are great clothes, there’s Bollywood’s numero uno designer Manish Malhotra!
Talking about Abhishek‘s wardrobe on Bingo Manish says, “The clothes I’ve selected for Abhishek are simple and chic, very Abhishek–the bandhgala designed for him is contemporary and it’s nice to see him in casual shirts and peppy waistcoats that we don’t often see on him.”
Manish Malhotra has always created iconic looks for the stars he’s styled for, and now the ace designer is working his magic on the suave and stylish Abhishek Bachchan yet again.
-Sampurn
February 15, 2010 at 4:55 PM
There is definitely a more focused Abhishek in all matters like never before in terms of his thought process not only in movie choices, his look. He seems more aware than ever before of his market value and what he represents.
February 15, 2010 at 5:33 PM
agreed.. there seems to be a clear ‘mission’ at this point which goes beyond signing one interesting movie or another.. there is also a much greater overall sense of assuming the mantle.. will be fascinating to see how this all plays out.. but certainly it’s been a good season for him with both Paa and Bingo and Raavan to be the first release now.. I also think he did Bingo among other reasons to paper over this gap 7 month or so gap which he must have known about between Paa and Raavan.
February 20, 2010 at 11:02 AM
Another example of a great historic site or national monument serving as the backdrop for a ‘symptom’ of mass consumption.
February 20, 2010 at 1:32 PM
That national monument also serves as outdoor wedding/reception venue! Yes, one can get on rent for the event.
Anyway this was fun filled event and Abhi gets high marks for correct Gujju accent and language. He kept saying ‘Vadodara’ and not ‘Baroda’-perhaps he reads this blog!
Thanks Satyam for keep putting these clips.
February 20, 2010 at 1:43 PM
by far d BEST EPISODE OF BINGO so far..hands down!! abhishek’s getting better wid each one..d real ppl make it so much more fun..nd to be honest all d gujjubhais nd gujjubens were d real ROCKSTARS of todays episode!!
February 20, 2010 at 1:52 PM
I was and still am against Abhishek doing this show. But the show is obvously connecting with the masses and in the long run may help him.
February 20, 2010 at 2:30 PM
I must grudgingly admit that it’s done a few things for him besides the obvious fact of being successful. It’s filled in a gap for him( 7 months between Paa and Raavan). He recharges his metrosexual persona but also the show feeds off his persona in a more general sense of highlighting the ‘endearing’ bits. Really like the idea of taking it on the road.
February 20, 2010 at 2:33 PM
perhaps it’s the setting but I too liked this episode most of the ones so far.. The SRK/Johar was very good too. Next week it’s Deepika and Farhan.
February 20, 2010 at 2:43 PM
for me second best was vidya-arshad one..nd then d sonali-kirron kher one!! i was bored a lill wid d srk/johar one nd d amitabh bachchan one. also..i feel abhishek takes a backseat wen a huge personality like a srk or his own father comes on d show nd let them take d limelight..nd also i found d all muslim audience in d srk-kjo episode a bit repulsive..i mean ..wat d hell were dey trying to prove??!!
nd tyler..i think since d show is once a week deal..so i think it will not be so harmful 4 abhishek in any which ways..if u r worried of d overexposure!!
February 20, 2010 at 2:31 PM
Glad you enjoyed these Pradeep..
February 20, 2010 at 2:32 PM
“That national monument also serves as outdoor wedding/reception venue! Yes, one can get on rent for the event.”
Didn’t know this! Quite distasteful! You can even rent Versailles this way. One of the Hindujas got their daughter married on these grounds a couple of years ago.
February 22, 2010 at 5:25 PM
I just saw snippets of the kjo-srk-bingo episode on this website. For a change, it seems srk was trying to underplay himself to “give space” to entrant abhi. ( INspite of having a problem with most things SRK), I must admit he still manages to outsmart, outwit, & “out-everything” others eg abhi, kjo here. I also watched star awards 2010 recently. Without even trying hard (& he also appeared to be under-rehearsed), he still managed to shine the brightest here; liked his witty one liners here and esp the interactions with the audience. The way he asked ab to teach him the paa steps so he can copy them in future was ace (wihtout offending anyone). Must say-srk has a flair for these things. shahid kapoor incidentally compered better than expected…
February 22, 2010 at 5:30 PM
lol-Now KRK does an SRK at the Mumbai airport
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tv-/Marathis-angry-with-Khans-KRK/articleshow/5603809.cms