The mastermind behind India's TV quiz shows

His is a familiar face on Indian television. Siddhartha Basu is best known as the suave, eloquent host of the BBC television quiz show Mastermind India.

Last updated: July 23, 2019 | 21:22

By Jyoti Kalsi

1 MIN READ

But Siddhartha Basu - in Dubai recently - prefers to call himself a 'collector and dispenser of arcane information'

His is a familiar face on Indian television. Siddhartha Basu is best known as the suave, eloquent host of the BBC television quiz show Mastermind India. He is also the producer and director of several other television programmes including Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), the highly successful Indian version of Who Wants To Be a Millionaire.

Siddhartha Basu... host of the BBC television quiz show Mastermind India. ©Gulf News

Jyoti Kalsi:

Besides hosting quiz shows, you have compered many celebrity shows like film and sport awards functions. Which do you enjoy more?

Siddharth Basu:

What has been the influence of television quiz shows on Indian viewers?

While hosting Mastermind, did you study the style of Magnus Magnusson, the famous host of BBC's original show?

Have you become interested in quizzing now?

You were a founder member of the Theatre Action Group in Delhi and have directed and acted in many plays. Has this contributed to your success as a television host?

How do you perceive your public role?

Which programme have you enjoyed working on the most?

Tell us about the pains and pleasures of producing a programme like KBC and working with an icon like Amitabh Bachchan.

What projects are you working on now?

Tell us about your plans for the Samsung c:\brain challenge.

What message would you like to give to our readers in the UAE?

Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox