Picture by Aranya Sen

Sourav Ganguly the quizmaster is back in the groove…

Yeah, it’s been good (smiles). It’s still a long way to go. You just keep going on. I have got used to it (make-up and coming to the sets). It’s hard, but I have got used to it.

We heard Aamir Khan will be coming for an episode…

I’ll try and speak to him and ask him if he can come. Hmm… but nothing’s confirmed yet.

How many celebrity surprises are in store for us?

I think Zee is responsible for that (getting celebrities). I’ll help them out in whatever way I can. This is the beginning. We will have people in the course of the show.

Who are the stars you would like to have?

Aamir (Khan) is definitely one of them. As time goes on, we will try and get Leander (Paes) one day. He’ll enjoy this!

Take a Break: Sourav shows a pair of twins how to press the buzzer during the break. The commercial break is also the time when the quizmaster parks himself on a red plastic chair and breathes easy. Or, on the makeshift staircase. That is the only time he gets to sit during the whole shoot. He changes his face wipes. His make-up is touched upon as he checks his mobile. He often takes his can of milkshake on stage and sips it during the break. He waits patiently for the cue. Or, paces up and down.

What about Kareena Kapoor?

I don’t know if she can come. Different contracts with different channels… If she says “yes” then definitely. It also depends on Zee.

When Dadagiri started, a lot of us were surprised by your easy wit. Who was your wittiest teammate in the Indian dressing room?

They are all, at different times. Sachin’s (Tendulkar) been one. Harbhajan Singh has been a witty one. It depends on their mood. How well they are doing (laughs), how much pressure they are in. It depends on a lot of things.

And pranks in the dressing room…

They have played a lot of pranks (laughs again). I remember the one they did with me in Cochin. I think it was in 2005 when Pakistan came. I wasn’t playing well. So just to take the pressure off me… I’ll keep that a secret! I still remember some of the things I faced when I was in the U-14 national camp. Things keep happening.

His air-conditioned den on the sets has a bed, a fridge and a microwave oven. A row of suits hangs in a corner, his chappals are neatly arranged on one side.

Your favourite joke?

Anything that makes me laugh!

Dona said in an interview to t2 that you have become more relaxed and jovial post-retirement...

Is it?

Yes, is that because there is no pressure anymore?

Yes, obviously there is no pressure anymore. That’s definitely there. Obviously it is a new life after you’ve finished playing. You do a whole lot of things. Life changes after you finish playing. You are doing things on your own. You are not always doing (things) by the clock.

In between two episodes nobody disturbs him. His room becomes a no-entry zone. He makes an exception for the kiddie autograph hunters though. He finally calls for Swadesh Pradhan, his stylist. “He likes this suit-and-tie look. White is one of his favourite colours. He likes to keep it really simple,” says Swadesh.

 

Do you miss the Indian dressing room?

No, I don’t. But I must say that playing for India was fantastic! Those 15 years were a fantastic time of my life. But once it is gone, it is gone. I enjoy playing for the Knight Riders. Hopefully I can carry on and enjoy myself there.

The IPL auctions are round the corner...

We’ll have to wait and see the rules. It is a new season. How many players are retained and who all go on auction. I think it’ll be decided shortly.

Which team would you like to play for, in case KKR doesn’t happen?

Anyone. But hopefully KKR happens…

Sourav has a tandoori chicken and soup lunch.

Shah Rukh Khan was in Calcutta recently. Did you meet him?

I did not meet him because I had viral (fever). I could not get out of home. But I knew he was coming.

Today, what gives you a sense of fulfilment?

Spending time with Sana. I see her growing up. I see her change. But it is fantastic, spending so much time with her.

Any real regret?

No regrets!

What about World Cup 2003?

Yes, you can say that…not winning the World Cup. But things do keep happening. There is no guarantee in sports. But I must say we played outstandingly that season. We just lost to Australia. From that point of view, it was a great World Cup for India.

Sachin Tendulkar has just got another feather in his cap, as honorary Group Captain of the Air Force…

Yes… hmm… He is the greatest I have seen. He is fantastic. The way he just keeps scoring runs. He’s been phenomenal. The ability he possesses as a player… and hopefully he can carry on for some more time and keep piling on the runs. He is a great guy. He is committed to the game. He gives his 100 per cent. Nothing is more important for him than playing for his country. He is a role model for everyone.

Did he ever share with you his passion for flying a fighter plane?

I am hearing this for the first time. I have heard about his passion for cars. And we all know his passion for runs!

Give us one word for each!

Yuvraj Singh: Hmm… Flamboyant.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni: Calm and calculative.
Harbhajan Singh: Lovely person!
Rahul Dravid: The Wall.
Anil Kumble: Nice guy.

What is your take on the match-fixing expose?

Let the verdict come out. It is allegations at the present moment. Once proven guilty, then we can talk about it.

On the personal front, what’s the status of your school?

It’s opening next year when the session starts in January. It’ll be a good school and good atmosphere for the kids to come and study. It’ll give them good education and sports facilities. It’ll be till plus-two and college as well.

What keeps Sourav Ganguly busy?

I go to office. We are building this school. That requires a lot of time, a lot of work. I am doing this show. I do TV. And will wait for the IPL season to start.

TWO MUCH: DADA’S DADAGIRI

Second love
Cricket. My first love is my family.

Two things you love about your life at the moment
I get a lot of time to spend with Sana and at home. And I am back home every day after work.

Two of your favourite dishes
Biryani is definitely one of them. And phuchka.

Two of your favourite actresses
Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif.

Two of your favourite films
Sholay and 3 Idiots.

Two of your favourite women
Does Sana fall in the category of a woman? Then definitely she is number one. And then obviously my wife.

Two match results that you would like to change
The World Cup final and the IPL game against (King’s XI) Punjab.

Two of your favourite rounds in Dadagiri
The audio-visual round and the Googly round. Googlies can get a little tough. It is on stage and you have to answer immediately. But the audio-visual round is interesting. It has a lot of things happening. It’s got personalities, music and films.

Two of your favourite quizmasters
Mr (Amitabh) Bachchan and the O’Brien brothers (Barry and Derek).

Two things you love about Dadagiri
I can have fun on the sets.There is no script.