PTI

Mumbai, May 24: Superstar Shah Rukh Khan on Friday took the blame for the dipping TRPs of his television show Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain because the show could not attract audiences despite his presence.

"Even in my films, it is said that it will get a good opening because I am there. If I consider the same yardstick, a star of my calibre should have brought enough audiences before the television set. If there is no opening and lack of appeal for the show despite my presence, then I think I am responsible," Shah Rukh said while interacting with a select group of journalists on the sets of Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain at film city in suburban Mumbai.

However, he defended his decision to do the show because it was educative and he liked being in the company of children.

"Maybe the format was not appealing, but we were bound by the original format (Are you smarter than the fifth grader)," he said, "There are no options for a question on this show. This brings loneliness whereas giving options sees involvement of more than one person. Some have not liked that the contestant at the time of dropping out of the contest, being asked to say that hum paanchvi pass se tez nahi hain (I am not smarter than the fifth grader).”

The actor wondered why should there be a problem with the statement because it is not meant to show disrespect to the contestant.

"Grown-ups forget that it is okay not to know everything. They don't realise the beauty of saying I don't know some things," he said.

The actor felt that the key to his success was that he was open to accepting that he doesn't know everything.

He said he had enjoyed being part of Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain. "It is close to what I am and refreshing like KBC. I only act as a host," he said.

He said he was comfortable working with children. "I treat them as adults," he said.

Shah Rukh agreed that several television programmes have been swept away by the IPL ratings. Besides, the audiences have become fragmented and even the concept of silver and golden jubilees for movies is over.

"According to some feedback we have received, it is felt that the timings (8pm) is too early. Some felt that the show was marketed as a children's show and may be adults wondered whether to see it or not," the actor felt.

The actor said that he has not received any negative feedback about the show. "In fact, KBC received mixed response," he added.

Shah Rukh admitted that the ratings of the show post IPL would help the Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain team to analyse in a more effective way.

Responding to a question on whether he was unnerved, the actor said: "May be next time I may not be signed for a television show and might be paid a much lower fee."

He agreed that at present there was no novelty factor in television programmes. "If something has to change on television, it is the news," he said sarcastically.

He said that there has been an overkill of reality shows but Paanchvi Pass is technically speaking a quiz show and not a reality show.