CHAT Gaurav Kapoor on the excitement of hosting the Indian Quiz League
Move over IPL, it is now time for IQL! Questions, general knowledge and all things curious will take a turn as National Geographic Channel launches the quiz Indian Quiz League (IQL).
IQL will put quizzers to the ultimate task of proving their intelligence against the average Indian.
Donning the quizmaster’s hat is VJ-actor-sports presenter Gaurav Kapoor, who, in a telephonic chat, explains: “The IQL will test contestants in relation to how the nation fares in answering the same questions. It’s not just about being smart, it’s about being smarter than the entire nation. This is a never-explored-before concept in terms of quiz shows so it is bound to grab eyeballs.”
Having risen to fame as a VJ and then dabbling in films and sports, Gaurav says he couldn’t resist taking up this assignment. “I found the format interesting and intriguing, and, of course, working with a channel this popular was reason enough to say yes.” “Not having to shoot outdoors in the blazing sun was another reason why I took this up!”
Gaurav, who has always been interested in current affairs and general knowledge, is happy that he isn’t playing just quizmaster. “In the pre-production stage, I would sit for at least an hour every day with the research team and we would finalise the questions, change a few things around, and so on. I could even spot the odd mistake and the guys said I had my GK all sorted,” Gaurav laughs.
His own style
Of his experience as quizmaster, he says, “Doing this in a style that people recognise as mine was what the job really called for. The participants, for example, don’t really come with the excitement of being on television. To them, this is about outdoing the nation with their smartness. And for the channel, the IQL is a means to get the nation to watch and learn together, so there I am bridging the gap between the serious and the quirky to make it an enjoyable show.”
Looking ahead, Gaurav’s got the IPL coming up and on the film front, he is in talks with a few directors.
(Indian Quiz League will air every weekday at 8 p.m. on National Geographic Channel)
NEETI SARKAR
To the participants, IQL about outdoing the nation
with their smartness. And for the channel, a means
to get the nation to watch and learn together. I am bridging the gap between the serious and the quirky
