There’s a gentleman called Karan Thapar who plays Devil’s Advocate in CNBC TV 18 giving celebrities a real tough time interviewing them. He also does or used to do the Hard Talk program.
At the end of one interview, his closing comments were, “Mr. Pranab Mukherji, it was a PLEASURE having you on Hard Talk.”
Pranab Mukerji, in faltering tones replied, “Yes. And . . . it was really. . hard.”
And former Tamilnadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha’s icy response, spurning the hand that was stretched forth to be shaken, was, “It was NOT a pleasure talking to you, Mr. Thapar.”
That shows how tough Karan Thapar can be.
I don’t know if he has interviewed the Prime Minister. If he did, the interview would perhaps go like this:
Q: Welcome to the show Mr. Prime Minister!
A: Thank you.
Q: Let me begin by asking you about your government’s policy on child marriage
A: Child marriage . . .
Q: Are you saying that it is not the government’s . . .
A: I did not say anything!
Q: But how can your government remain silent on such a vital issue, Mr. Prime Minister?
A: Our government has not remained silent!
Q: Can you spell out the statements you have made on this subject during the past month?
A: ?
Q: The Indian Express dated 25th January 1980 says that there were 7600 child marriages in India in a YEAR. What do you have to say to that Mr. Prime Minister?
A: In 1980?
Q: I shall ask the questions Mr. Prime Minister. Your job is to just answer them?
A: What is the question?
Q: Again you are questioning me. Doesn’t matter. What do you think about it? That was my question!
A: I didn’t think about it …
Q: “Business India” in its issue of 20th August writes and I quote, “ Villagers have reported two armed men entering the outer boundary of the Kakrapur Atomic Reactor.” Mr. Prime Minister, how could you allow these two armed men to enter into such a high security area?
A: The villagers …
Q: Please do not avoid the question Mr. Prime Minister. We’ll talk about villagers later. First tell me why you allowed these two persons to enter.
A: Arey, I was here in Delhi baba . .
Q: The “Hindustan Times” which I even now hold in my hand says, and I quote, “The Prime Minister was attending parliament when the news came to him.” Mr. Prime Minister, how could you be attending parliament at the time of such a national crisis?
A: I heard about it . . .
Q: Of course you heard about it! That’s the least one would expect of a Prime Minister! Let us talk about the nuclear deal with Bush. Correct me if I’m wrong. But haven’t you surrendered our sovereignty to the United States?
A: Of-course …
Q: Mr. Prime Minister!
A: Please let me complete! I was going to say, “Of-course not!”
Q: The “Miami Herald” says in unequivocal terms, without any ambiguity whatsoever that President Bush has called you a good friend of the United States. How do you explain that?
A: What should I explain?
Q: Again you are asking questions Mr. Prime Minister! Please tell me how you can be the friend of a country that is trying to poison our people with their Pepsi Cola and Coca Cola?
A: America is co-operating with India in many areas. Our young people are employed by American companies. We have received a lot of technology from the US . . .
Q: Are you saying, Mr. Prime Minister, that in return for all this they can poison the people of our country?
A: I did not say that.
Q: You might not have said that Mr. Prime Minister, but clearly the inference is that you are willing for our people to be poisoned. And just have a look at this photograph Mr. Prime Minister. This picture was taken at a party that was hosted by you for President Bush. While all the participants are having glasses filled with black colored liquid, you are drinking something transparent . . . . water, possibly. Doesn’t that clearly indicate that the Bush had already informed you that the colas are poisoned?
A: These are really wild allegations. Do you . . .
Q: Let’s turn to another subject, Mr. Prime Minister. … your equation with the Congress President, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi . . .
A: Shrimati Sonia Gandhiji is . . .
Q: The “New York Times” of July 23rd, quotes you as saying that Sonia Gandhi is an MP just like any other MP and that you are the Prime Minister and that you know how to keep her in her place! Mr. Prime Minister, WHAT HAPPENED, WHY ARE YOU LEANING SIDEWAYS, YOUR EYES ARE GOING UPWARDS! OPEN YOUR EYES! O MY GOD! THE PRIME MINISTER IS FAINTING! SOMEONE BRING SOME WATER!
4 comments:
Brilliant!just the way a real interview would've gone.
George my friend,
I went thru the blog and it was simply fantastic. I had seen the interview Karan Thapar had with both Jaya as well as Pranab and its so true considering their response the questions that Karan might have for the Prime Minister.
This blog thing is absolutely amazing and fits the purpose. We might not have been exposed to your skills if we didnt have them and now we can also send the link to those of our friends who might want to read them.
Great George, keep it coming. You should also write in our yahoo group hub and give that Dickie guy and the wonderful Nimmi, some competition. They write wonderfully as well.
love
altaf
Teddy,
Is it the Lal who put his leg between the train and the platform?
GEORGE I CRIED...
IT WAS LIKE HAVING A LAUGHTER THERAPY...
THANK YOU...
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