Abhishek Bachchan is TV’s new ‘king of cool’

The year 2010 has given actor Abhishek Bachchan a new beginning in a completely new space — television. Most people did not think he would tread on territory that his father Amitabh Bachchan had made his own. But Abhishek, who hosts a reality show, is currently on a high as he has got huge prominence on the small screen.

When Abhishek made his television debut two weeks ago, he got the distinction of being the best host from Bollywood. In terms of debut TRPs by rating body TAM (Television Audience Measurement) he surpassed Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar and even his father. He garnered a TRP of 5.1 in the first episode, a feat that is unrivalled despite the change in the way TRPs are calculated now.

Though the second episode saw the TRPs dip slightly, Abhishek can still boast of what audiences and analysts are calling him — the ‘King of Cool’ on TV.

“It is a great feeling. The show has opened well and the marketing plans have worked. But I don’t want to rejoice much because we have just begun and we do have to stand the test of time,” Abhishek says.

Ask him for a reaction on surpassing his industry colleagues, and he says, “I took up the show because it excited me and not because I wanted to surpass anyone. About crossing my father, I still maintain that he’s the best and no one can beat him.”

Amitabh Bachchan is most overjoyed about Abhishek beating him. Abhishek says, “He’s happier than everyone else. It is an emotional moment for him and he is very happy about the way I’ve been received by the audience.”

Whenever the show is aired, Abhishek’s better half Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan is glued to the TV set. “Ash is very excited. She has loved the show. She has even played but unfortunately she didn’t get it right,” he ends.