Quick gun shotgun: Shatrughan Sinha in Patna on Monday. Picture by Deepak Kumar

Patna, Jun 27: Vishwanath makes his intentions clear while he delivers the sizzling dialogues. But Shatrughan Sinha, the star of the 1978 blockbuster by the same name, did have to struggle to be comprehensible on the sets of the Bhojpuri Kaun Banega Crorepati.

He was the only one who could speak Bhojpuri — the language of the show — on the sets.

The veteran actor and the BJP MP told The Telegraph today: “Yes, I had to struggle on the sets while shooting KBC because I was the only person who knew Bhojpuri. However, it was a problem initially. Later, everything became smooth. I was also not used to the mock practice and had to do it a number of times to get it right.”

On being asked the reason why he got interested in hosting the show, Sinha said: “When I was offered to be the host of this show, I was reluctant. But Siddhartha Basu, the person who conceptualised KBC, came to me and said that this show could not go on air without me. He told me that I am the only Bihari who can appeal to the masses and also a play pivotal role in supporting Bhojpuri as a widespread language.”

The actor added: “This forced me to take up the challenge. I have always promoted Bhojpuri and this was also chance for me to perform in a reality show. Bhojpuri is spoken not only in Bihar but also in foreign countries like Mauritius, Holland, Fiji, Guinea and the Caribbean. I wanted to promote it further. People like Sir Shiv Sagar Ram Gulam, a former Prime Minister of Mauritius, Loknayak Jai Prakash Narayan, former Prime Minister of India Chandra Shekhar and Lalu Prasad are Bhojpuri. Then why not me?”

He also said: “KBC has been hosted by famous personalities like Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. However, the Bhojpuri version of KBC is completely different. In the Bhojpuri version, people from all walks of life participate. It is watched even in the villages. It creates a sense of belonging, unity, peace and prosperity.”

On being asked about if his duties interfered with his work as a politician, he said: “As you know, my daughter Sonakshi just got the best female debutant award at the 12th International Indian Film Academy Awards in Toronto. I was going to attend the event when I heard that I have to attend a party programme in Patna. I came here.”

The actor has also gained from his experience in the show.

“I must say that my general knowledge has improved,” signed off Shotgun.