Amitabh And Aamir – A Study In Contrast

Amitabh And Aamir – A Study In Contrast

As TV anchors both are doing the same thing – opening people’s minds,
but their contexts are vastly different. Yet, something is remarkably similar.

I am an ex-journalist. Therefore, my focus while watching the first episode of Satyameva Jayate was on Aamir Khan the anchor, and his performance was truly remarkable. Years ago, TV hosting got a major celebrity boost when Amitabh Bachchan not only revived his personal fortunes but also elevated anchoring to a new orbit with his stupendous performance in Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC). Aamir Khan too now as the host of Satyameva Jayate has created a benchmark in TV anchoring. In fact, he has taken a step beyond; he has brought real issues to the doorstep of every home and making people take notice with a combination of harsh stories and hard facts. 

In a way, both the As are doing the same thing – opening people’s minds, but their contexts are vastly different. While Amitabh has carried his portrayal of providing `relief` to the masses from the silver screen to the small screen with remarkable grace, Aamir is acting as the conduit to provide relief to people from heart wrenching issues in real life.  

Both the reel personalities, in their own unique way, are having a real time impact on people. While Bachchan is the dream weaver, this Khan is bringing alive the harsh realities of society and human behavior. Their styles are contrasting, but original, yet the subtle similarities they exhibit are intriguing. While Amitabh booms his way into your heart, thereby inviting even more awe and respect for his talent, Aamir, by simply manipulating his voice, tone, expressions and emotions, touches a chord within you which is hard to ignore,. The word manipulating is not used here in a negative sense, as if to suggest that Aamir yet again is just putting on display his excellent acting skills. The word here is used to convey his immaculate timing, so essential to carry out a professional, yet poignant role as an anchor of a show whose philosophy is education and not entertainment.  

Both these mega stars have also effortlessly carried their image and perception amongst the masses to the small screen. The consistency of their actions vis-à-vis their image is remarkable. While Amitabh has always been seen purely as a mega entertainer, Aamir over the years has been seen to combine education and entertainment through films like Taare Zameen Par and 3 Idiots. Therefore, KBC as a entertaining game show has a perfect anchor in Amitabh, and Satyameva Jayate, intended as a conscience arouser, has a perfect host in Aamir. In real life too, while Amitabh sticks to his core job of entertaining people through his films and as KBC host, Aamir does not shy away from taking stands on public issues.   

Thus, it is evident that both these celebrity hosts – also divided by generations as far as their film careers is concerned – operate in completely two different spaces. They carry different mindsets. Yet, one thing unmistakably connects them to their craft and to the masses – their professionalism.
Aamir in a way is creating a parallel legacy in terms of celebrities anchoring programs on television. Many others have attempted the same and have done well too, but none have come close to the quality of anchoring Amitabh and Aamir have put on display. They both – though operating from vastly different contexts -- have this innate ability to connect with the intrinsic hope, aspirations and pain points of people. They are charismatic, larger than life figures, yet through the small screen, they have managed to make people feel they are just one among them. They have utilized a medium to demystify themselves, which the 70 mm screen is hardly likely to achieve, thereby only increasing their RQ (Respect Quotient) in the eyes of people.   

Though still early days for Aamir on the small screen, he has captured the imagination of people like never before. He is building a sense of hope in people which is remarkable to see. When it comes to professional TV hosting, he is truly emerging as a game changer, but can he really change the game when it comes to redressal of people’s real life issues? We will wait and watch.