CHHAPPAR PHAAR KE
Govinda Comes Lateo

He may be late and at other times, may just not be there. But in an industry where generally budgets reign, Govinda has re-emerged to be Star No 1 yet again. Sony Entertainment Television and director Ajay Kapoor are very happy with Govinda and can never imagine another star in his place in Jeeto Chappar Phaad Ke.

"Chi Chi is so good and spontaneous that he even shoots for three episodes in day when he is in a mood," says the director of the show Ajay Kapoor. "People have been asking me about his latecoming. I want to say, time is not the issue, timing is. Even I don't report on time to my sets on time, sometimes. But it when he is on the sets, what Govinda does is amazing. He is just so involved. There have been times. He wants to better and better himself… and each time he gives a take, he is so much more better that I don't know when to say, OK"

Ajay Kapoor, who has been in the entertainment business for over 16 years and has been associated with Lintas, Nimbus and Professional Management Group among others and is using a nine-camera set-up to cover Govinda and his antics in the show.

Says Govinda, "I decided to do this show basically because I got a chance to gift many things to people. Moreover, I had many offers before. I did not want to take up all that. I took this one because it appealed to me."

Jeeto Chappar Phaad Ke starts on January 26 on Sony, and will run three days a week from Friday to Sunday. Care has been taken to ensure that the show does not clash with the Amitabh Bachchan anchored Kaun Banega Crorepati in any way.

He sets are strikingly in contrast as are the timings of the show. But it is no tacky job as was Zee's Sawaal Dus Crore Ka. Nitin Desai has ensured that the sets of the show are very enthralling with a lot of hydraulics. The sets, built on a 22-feet framework, comprise of a mixture of iron and wood.

A white cyclorama is in the backdrop. There is enough space to accommodate around 300 people. A massive golden crown assumes centrestage on the sets. Eleven contestants and their buzzer desks are on the next row.

The hot seat area has been made of hydraulic material. The platform encompasses one chair and two computer screens. These there will emerge from below. The hot seat is not called so. They prefer to call it Aasan. There is just one seat. That's because Govinda will be standing throughout the show. But that is not the USP of Jeeto Chhappar Phaad Ke; it is a show with a plethora of fun, frolic and funds. People can win upwards of Rs 300 crore if they are smart and lucky enough.

Apart from the mind-boggling moolah, cars, computers, televisions and incredible prizes like a 45-day world tour are available for the viewers of the show. Govinda also asks the participants before they start… "Khelte khelte khelna chahte hain ki hanste khelte khlena chahte hain?"

The participants would rather laugh and play with Govinda. Says Kapoor: "Amitabh Bachchan makes a quiz show seem like a quiz show. Govinda moves away from the format. He makes this show seems like fun all the way. The participants just can't stop laughing."

Kunal Dasgupta, the CEO of Sony TV says that Jeeto Chappar Phaad Ke means pure entertainment. "We had lakhs of entries in just a few days. People want to get into the show not just for anything, but to be with Govinda. We had letters pouring in just 10 days. We are very happy with our decision to take on Govinda."

Govinda has been very impromptu. "He is so good," enthuses Ajay Kapoor. He is amazing. He can make people do anything, be cause he is so likeable. When he talks to the participants and asks Aapke Sapne Kya Hai, they tell him everything. It is so nice and warm."

Thus Govinda seems to be all set to give Amitabh a run for his money. Come on KBC, buck up. Jeeto Chappar Phaad Ke is here to stay.

WRITTEN BY ANUSHA SAMIR GILL