Karan Johar To Salman Khan, A Look At Bollywood Stars Who Turned TV Hosts
As Salman Khan’s ‘Bigg Boss’ and Karan Johar’s ‘Koffee With Karan’ continue to rule our screens, here is a list of celebrities who have turned TV hosts.
The glitzy world of Bollywood has always been synonymous with silver screens and red carpets. However, in a notable trend, several Bollywood celebrities have forayed into the world of television hosting, bringing their charisma and star power to the small screen. This transition, over the years, has brought a paradigm shift in the dynamics of Indian entertainment, blurring the lines between film and television and giving us a chance to witness the hosting skills of big Bollywood celebrities. This has also allowed us to witness our favourite Bollywood stars being their candid best.
The unscripted nature of many television shows also presents an opportunity for celebrities to showcase their authenticity. The appeal of television hosting has proven irresistible to many Bollywood stars, offering them a unique platform to connect with audiences on a more personal level.
Traditionally, television hosts were associated with seasoned anchors or television personalities. But the influx of Bollywood celebrities has offered a fresh vibrancy, transforming the landscape of Indian television forever.
One of the main driving forces behind this shift is the increasing overlap between the two mediums – theatre and TV. Over the years, television has evolved as a powerhouse of content creation, with daily soaps, reality shows, talk shows, and game shows becoming staples in the Indian household. Who doesn’t love switching on a show of their choice and enjoying a mouth-watering meal with their family members while being in the comfort of their homes?
Bollywood celebrities, realising the immense reach and impact of television in Indian households, have eagerly stepped into the hosting shoes.
The diverse formats of television shows have also allowed Bollywood stars to experiment with their hosting roles; from reality shows that showcase their mentoring skills to talk shows where they share interesting anecdotes and insights.
From Amitabh Bachchan to Karan Johar and Salman Khan, many Bollywood celebrities have successfully brought their charm and wit and captivated the small screen.
Recently, Karan Johar’s long-running talk show ‘Koffee With Karan’ returned for another season. While with the digital age, the show now airs on Disney+ Hotstar, it has ruled the small screen for a really long time and marked Karan Johar’s debut as a TV host.
Not just Karan Johar, Salman Khan and Amitabh Bachchan also returned with all-new seasons of their wildly popular TV shows – ‘Bigg Boss’ and ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ recently.
As these Bollywood celebrities continue to rule the small screen, we decided to take a look at some of the most iconic Bollywood figures who have successfully ventured into hosting television shows, becoming beloved faces in households across the nation.
1. Amitabh Bachchan: The ‘Shahenshah’ of Bollywood and Pioneer of TV Hosting
The megastar has not just been ruling the silver screen for decades but has also become synonymous with the TV game show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’. Amitabh Bachchan can easily be credited as the trailblazer in the trend of Bollywood stars turning TV hosts. He has been the host of ‘KBC’ for nearly 22 years. Big B has hosted the game show since its first season in 2000, except for the third season which was hosted by Shah Rukh Khan in 2007. Amitabh Bachchan’s infectious and towering presence made the show a massive success, redefining the landscape of Indian television. His deep voice, articulateness and empathetic approach turned ‘KBC’ into more than just a quiz show; it became a thrilling and emotional journey, where dreams were pursued, shattered, and sometimes, miraculously fulfilled. Talking about ‘KBC’, the show’s format involves multiple-choice questions, with each question's difficulty level increasing as the game progresses. Contestants can use lifelines such as ‘Phone a Friend’ and ‘Audience Poll’ to help them answer questions correctly. Big B has also hosted the third season of the reality show ‘Bigg Boss’, which aired in October 2009.
2. Salman Khan: The Dabangg Host
Salman Khan, often fondly referred to as ‘Bhaijaan’ by his fans, is known for his larger-than-life persona in Bollywood. He stepped into the world of television hosting with ‘Dus Ka Dum’. However, he became everyone’s favourite TV host with the insanely popular reality show ‘Bigg Boss’. He was offered to host the fourth season of ‘Bigg Boss’. Even though the Bollywood megastar was going to refuse the offer due to date issues, he ended up taking the offer and hosting the fourth season. It was a blessing in disguise for ‘Bigg Boss’ viewers as the show found its permanent host in Salman Khan who has hosted the reality show for over a decade now. His unique and ‘Dabangg’ style of hosting, a blend of humour, assertiveness and tough love, resonated with the viewers. His candid interactions with contestants made the show a cultural phenomenon, showcasing Salman Khan's versatility beyond the big screen.
3. Karan Johar: Brewing Koffee, Stirring Conversations (And Controversies)
Who doesn’t love Bollywood gossip? Karan Johar turned TV hosted with his popular celebrity chat show titled ‘Koffee With Karan’ and gave viewers spicy revelations and many controversies. On the ‘Koffee’ couch, revelations about dating rumours, love-hate relationships between stars, and other topics became the hot topics of discussions. KJo, who brought his innate charm and wit on the show, started the show back in November 2004, and till now, he has hosted seven seasons of it. He is currently hosting the eighth season of it. Each time an episode of ‘Koffee With Karan’ comes out, it sparks discussions and debates on social media. Unlike traditional talk shows, Karan Johar's show sees celebrities not only discussing their upcoming projects but also baring their souls in a light-hearted and engaging manner. The show remains iconic for its candid revelations, fun rapid-fire rounds and Karan Johar’s signature hamper. The show's success highlighted KJo’s ability to create an intimate space for celebrities to share their stories, making a connection with audiences that went beyond the usual star-fan dynamic. Karan Johar has also hosted the first season of ‘Bigg Boss OTT’.
4. Shah Rukh Khan: The Charismatic Entertainer
Following in the footsteps of Amitabh Bachchan, the ‘Badshah of Bollywood’ Shah Rukh Khan entered the world of television hosting with ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’. While stepping into the shoes of Big B as the host of ‘KBC’ was no small feat, King Khan brought his own of charm and warmth to the popular game show. His episodes included personal anecdotes, loads of laughter, and emotional moments. He later went on to host shows like ‘Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain?’, ‘Zor Ka Jhatka: Total Wipeout’ and ‘India Poochega Sabse Shaana Kaun?’
On these TV shows, King Khan wowed viewers with his charismatic personality, amazing sense of humour and witty responses. Shah Rukh Khan’s stint as a TV host showcased his versatility and ability to connect with viewers. SRK’s foray into television reinforced the fact that King Khan’s reign extends beyond the silver screen.
5. Rohit Shetty: Directing Action Beyond the Silver Screen/ Fear Factor Maestro
Filmmaker Rohit Shetty, known for his high-octane action movies, made his television hosting debut with ‘Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi’. The long-running show sees celebrities challenging themselves by participating in several stunts and daring tasks, oftentimes overcoming their fears. Rohit Shetty’s involvement in the show went beyond being a host as he also guided and motivated contestants through tough tasks. If you are adventure fanatic, then this is one Indian reality show will offer you the perfect dose of adventure on television. Having hosted numerous seasons of the show, Rohit Shetty has become a brand name for the game show. With his daredevilry, the Bollywood filmmaker ensures that the participants, as well as the fans, are blown away by the stunts on the show.
6. Aamir Khan: The Perfectionist's Social Advocacy
Popularly known as ‘Mr. Perfectionist’ of Bollywood, Aamir Khan has been ruling the heart of millions with his hit films like ‘Dangal’, ‘PK’, ‘Taare Zameen Par’, ‘3 Idiots’, ‘Lagaan’ and more. After mesmerising the audiences on the big screen, Aamir Khan made his television debut in 2012 with the show ‘Satyamev Jayate’. The show was very well received by the viewers. Unlike conventional talk shows, Aamir Khan used the platform to address pressing social issues, bringing them to the forefront. The show was about sparking conversations and inspiring action. Aamir Khan's foray into television showcased the medium's potential to go beyond entertainment and serve as a catalyst for positive change in society. The Bollywood actor’s heartfelt and meaningful conversations struck a chord with the viewers as the show was renewed for multiple seasons.
7. Farhan Akhtar: The Multifaceted TV Maestro’s Music, Masti, and More
Farhan Akhtar, known for his versatility as a filmmaker, actor, scriptwriter and musician, added another feather to his cap when he made his debut as a TV host with ‘Oye! It's Friday’. This unique chat show, a refreshing departure from traditional talk shows, wasn't confined to a single genre. Beyond celebrity interviews, it celebrated various art forms, including music, dance, poetry and films. Farhan Akhtar's venture into the world of television showcased his commitment to bringing diversity and dynamism to the small screen, just as he does on the silver screen. Several stars including Karan Johar, Priyanka Chopra, Ranbir Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, and Hrithik Roshan, have appeared as guests on the talk show. Farhan Akhtar has also been a judge on the TV dance reality show ‘Nach Baliye season 1’, along with Saroj Khan and Malaika Arora Khan.
8. Shilpa Shetty: The Stunning And Graceful Diva
Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, known for her graceful and stunning presence on the silver screen, expanded her horizons by becoming a judge on reality shows and showcasing her fitness expertise on ‘Super Dancer’. Shilpa Shetty’s stardom reached newer heights with her participation in ‘Big Brother’, where she not only brought Bollywood glamour to a global audience but also won hearts with her affable personality. After winning hearts as a contestant on ‘Big Brother’, Shilpa Shetty hosted ‘Bigg Boss 2’ that shifted from Sony TV to Colors TV and has been airing on the same channel till date. Shilpa Shetty replaced Arshad Warsi as the host of the controversial reality show.
9. Priyanka Chopra: The Global Icon
Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas made waves in the television space with her debut as a host for the hit show ‘Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi’. She hosted the third season of the popular reality show. The long-running reality show sees celebrities challenging themselves by participating in several stunts and daring tasks, oftentimes overcoming their fears. Priyanka Chopra’s hosting style combined glamour with grit and fearlessness.
10. Akshay Kumar: The Khiladi Of Bollywood
Akshay Kumar ventured into the world of television hosting with his stint on the popular Indian reality show ‘Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi’. The Bollywood star, known for his versatile roles in films ranging from action-packed blockbusters to socially relevant dramas, brought a unique flavor to the show when he hosted the second season of the adrenaline-fueled reality series. ‘Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi’ shows contestants facing their fears and undertaking daring stunts. Akshay Kumar, with his background in martial arts and a reputation for performing his stunts in films, seemed like a natural fit to host the show. What set Akshay Kumar apart as a TV host was his hands-on approach. Unlike other hosts who merely guided participants, Akshay Kumar actively participated in the stunts, setting a precedent that resonated with both contestants and viewers.
Akshay Kumar’s physical prowess and charismatic persona added an extra layer of excitement to the popular stunt-based reality show. Beyond the thrill of stunts, Akshay Kumar's hosting style also brought a dose of humour and camaraderie.
Notable Mentions
Ranveer Singh hosted the television trivia game show ‘The Big Picture’, which ran on Colors TV from October 16, 2021 to January 9, 2022. 'The Big Picture', a 12-stage trivia game show, saw contestants answering multiple-choice questions on visuals projected on a giant screen in front of them.
Preity Zinta made her TV hosting debut with the show ‘Guinness World Records – Ab India Todega’, which premiered on Colors TV on March 18, 2011. Every episode of the show featured a different person attempting to break an official world record.
Arshad Warsi hosted the first season of ‘Bigg Boss’, the Indian version of the reality television series ‘Big Brother’.
Abhishek Bachchan hosted a game show titled ‘National Bingo Night ‘, which premiered in January 2010. His father, Amitabh Bachchan, was the first guest of his show and later stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Vidya Balan, Farhan Akhtar, Deepika Padukone and Kiron Kher were seen on the show.
Anupam Kher has previously hosted ‘The Anupam Kher Show – Kucch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai’ on Colors. The talk show, which ran from July 2014 to November 2015, featured a new celebrity every week.
