Sunday, March 18, 2007

Shweta - brew your own koffee

Karan Johar is a smart film maker and a great talk show host. Yes, his guest list is a little repetitive but he's trying.

Tonight he had Mira Nair and Tabu on 'Koffee' - and it was nice! Mira of course is the more gregarious type and shared some interesting ideas and anecdotes. Asked what she felt about Deepa Mehta, Gurinder Chadha and herself being lumped together she laughed, "You could call us the Charlie's Angels of Punjab". (All 3 women, brown and directors).

Of course she is in her own league and conveyed that but with warmth and diplomacy.

Tabu on the other hand giggled and hid her face for a large part of the show. "I suffer from low self esteem," she admitted. And it does seem like it! Despite so many awards and people gushing over her performances (especially for the upcoming 'Namesake'), she herself does not seem to believe in her talents.

Farah Khan was a 'surprise guest' and added some entertainment value with her muhphat jawaabs.

All in all Koffee with Karan is watchable even in its second season. I think Karan manages to put even those who aren't technically his friends at ease. He also does a lot of research, slips in provocative questions with a straight face and pull a leg or two.

Plus, he has a great sense of timing - he does interrupt but it's natural, like you would in a real conversation.

Quite the opposite, however, is the scene with Shweta Bachchan and her much hyped talk show on NDTV Profit. When the only non-acting member of the Bachchan clan makes her 'debut' so to speak there's bound to be some curiosity. And the idea of a 'Next Gen' show featuring 'achievers under 40' is an ok one.

But unlike Karan, Shweta is not a natural. She's well turned out and has done her homework but when you're not at ease it shows. Luckily she didn't have to put her guest at ease - it was Karan Johar.

One can't blame Shweta for being nervous but having Karan as one of her first guests? Seemed like the teacher giving an 'easy test' to ensure the principal's nephew will pass with flying colours.

Despite Karan's best efforts, it did not really work. He had nothing new or interesting to say.

To live up to its promise Nextgen needs to ensure its guests are more eclectic and truly 'next gen'. Not the already arrived and over-exposed!

Keep the koffee hot, Karan. And Shweta, brew your own unique blend. In short, keep away from Bollywood!

10 comments:

  1. I agree - ppl will watch it out of curiosity for Shweta and not for her guests/content.

    CNBC's Young Turks is a far more interesting show since the ppl are not celebs and far more down to earth! (this blog's author was featured as well if i'm not mistaken)

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  2. Hi Rashmi

    Why cant you create feed for youthcurry.

    Chaitanya

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  3. Hi Rashmi, I think the KJ and Shweta comparison makes for an interesting read. And yes, you're right about Shweta not being a natural on the show. The Bachchans' upbringing is all too evident in her, but like Abhishek, she needs a lot of working on before she be called a pro at her job!

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  4. Hey,
    I agree with your opinion about Koffee. But at times, if the guest is too uptight or reserved, it can get boring, like the episode with Sunny and Bobby Deol in Season 1.
    I'm surprised Shweta is bitten by the media bug and I must add that all the "friends and well wishers" of the Bachchan family will be featured as guests and that star power will probably attract the viewers...

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  6. hmm intersting look here.i must say i do enjoy KWK only cause he makes it flow smooth and makes his guests feel like comfortable.Now that is a task and a lesson one has to learn from him...I have not watch the other show.Wil and keep the debate on...

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  7. its nice reading ur articles, i watch KWK sometimes as the guests behave less starry. yet to see shweta's show, so cant comment really. she has the bachchan charisma sure!

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  8. yaah karan is great host whether it hosting his talk show or any award function(as he every does)...

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  9. hai rashmi....cool post...am very interested to apply but are there any posts which can be done from my home coz am very far dats am in A.P...u can see my blo if u want any exaple...all are written by my own hand except a post on south indian culture....ur post on Nextgenn...u r right...when it comes to nextgenn y cant these shows introduce common youth who have achieved something...y always interviewing the same ones who are very well known icons....hope this will change...ok...plz leave ur valuable comments on my blog...bye and take care

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  10. Somehow I hated Karan's show. Allthough I haven't seen it for ages now, I did write a post about it when I had just started watching it.

    http://thinkingenious.blogspot.com/2005_06_01_archive.html

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