We’ve heard you are being paid a fancy sum for your talk-show?
That is definitely too personal to talk about.

Okay, you have been in the television industry for around 15 years. Why did it take you so long to come up with a talk show?
Honestly, the idea of doing a show with stars has been with me for many years. I even had a name for it, Star Yaar Kalakar. But then Sony came up with a game show with that title and I had to let it go. I am glad that I am doing the show now, which will be one of the biggest and expensive chat shows on air. I have called it Sajid’s Superstars because for me any star who is shooting round-the-clock, has no dates and is mobbed for autographs is a superstar.

Wouldn’t it have been better if you had gone to an established channel?
I have known Ashwini (the programming head) for a long time. Even Akshay Kumar is on this channel. The channel may be new but the people behind it are experienced. Moreover I have a pulse on what the viewers want and since this show is 90 per cent in Hindi, it has a huge mass-appeal.

Has becoming a Bollywood director helped you in your TV career?
To a large extent, yes. Earlier I couldn’t be considered for being a judge on a reality show but now the tag of a successful director is getting me plenty of offers.

Will you participate in a dance show as you are a good dancer?
I don’t think so. I don’t want to be standing there and telling the judges that I will work harder next time. It’s just not me.

Was it easy to convince the stars to come on your show?
Yes, they are all friends who share a great level of comfort with me. They trust me completely which is why not a single person asked me what kind of queries I will be asking them on the show.

The stars seem to be enjoying themselves with you. Which are your favourite moments?
There are lots and lots of terrrific moments that I can recall. There’s this one where Farah (Khan) and Karan (Johar) keep their hands on each others’ heads and swear that they have never bitched about each other’s films. There’s a nice moment when I ask Katrina (Kaif) if she has a sense of humour and she is confused about it. There’s a fun moment betwen Riteish and me when suddenly while talking about the movies in the 80s he starts acting like Kader Khan and I start dancing like Mithun. Then there’s Akshay’s entry into the show with a somersault that I think is a great moment. And Vivek has actually done stand-up comedy!

What did you ask your sister Farah Khan?
In that episode I wasn’t asking the questions, it was Karan (Johar) and Farah who grilled me!

We don’t see Shah Rukh Khan in the promos.
He will be there in the second season. He was busy with IPL and then his own show Paanchavi Pass ... which is why he couldn’t come this time.

Who else is in your wishlist?
I would like to get Sridevi and Jayaprada on the show.

Your shows seems to be on the lines of Karan Johar’s Koffee With Karan?
Karan took talk-shows to a different level. It was indigenous but unfortunately it was in English as the channel wanted it like that. However, my show is very different from his. It is more fun-oriented. It is sleek and has a lot of style. My look designed by Sambo is formal but slightly different with jeans, jackets and boots.

Though you were one of the first persons to do stand-up comedy, it is Shekhar Suman who is remembered for his Movers & Shakers.
(Cuts in) It was way back in 1994 that I started doing stand-up comedy. I was hosting a countdown show where I spoofed films and actors. I was also the first to make fun of nominated films at award shows. I never resorted to canned laughter. I don’t want to compare myself with others but my show Ekke Pe Ekka is the longest running show with 700 episodes. Then there was this show Kehne Mein Kya Harz Hai on Sony which was a big hit. I am not interested in comparing balance-sheets with others.

Which is the most awkward question you have faced?
(Thinks) I really don’t remember. I can handle any kind of questions. No query is awkward for me. (Laughs)