Exclusive - Participants and their involvement with the game amaze me, says ‘Dadagiri’ host Sourav Ganguly

With the ‘lights-camera and action’, shooting floors are mostly high on energy. But nothing can beat the enthusiasm, when former captain of Indian Cricket team Sourav Ganguly is on the floor. After all, Dada is back with his Dadagiri.
The moment one steps inside the shooting floor of the popular non-fiction show ‘Dadagiri’, he or she can smell the enthusiasm in the environment.
With the crowd cheering for the host and the host encouraging the participants to play well or sometimes aggressively, surely add a positive vibe in the environment, which isn’t much different from the sporty energy in the cricket field during a match.
Wearing a brown suit, when Dada entered the floor, from audience to the crew, everyone started applauding him. And one can easily relate the scene when Sourav used to leave the field after hitting a century during a match. With a smile to the audience or a glance, Dada pleased them all.
In between the shots, Sourav addressed the media.
After hitting consecutive centuries with its last 7 seasons, ‘Dadagiri’ is back. From celebrities like Sachin Tendulkar, Shah Rukh Khan to Subhasini Mistry, a vegetable vendor who built a hospital for poor, ‘Dadagiri’ has welcomed guests from all walks of life. But what’s new this season?
“This season we will narrate Din Bodoler Pala. The show will feature the contestants who have worked hard for the betterment of the society and introduced a change. That’s really encouraging,” he shared.
And what about Dada himself? “There’s nothing new about Dada. I’m the same old person. It is the participants and their involvement that lead the show towards its success. The involvement of the participants amazes me.” Sourav added.
The former skipper shared his experience as a host. He explained how ‘Dadagiri’ provide a platform to many people, how it made the participants popular almost overnight. But he also said how winning matters.
Sourav narrated a story. “Once a teacher participated in Dadagiri. Unfortunately, when he was asked where Victoria Memorial is situated, he wrongly answered that it is in Delhi. And his students used to tease him miserably for the wrong answer. After 3 years he again participated and won the game. The moment he was announced as a winner, he looked at the camera and told his student, ‘now none of you can tease me’. Later, he shared his agony of losing the show that too after answering such a simple question wrongly. This is how winning matters, you see,” Dada laughed out loud.
Sourav is all excited about the latest season and lauded his team and its effort. “It is the team that made the journey a successful one. Without their hard work and the participants, we couldn’t have reached the 8th season,” he said.
Right after the interaction with the media, Sourav went back to the floor and started the show. What amazes, is his involvement with the participants. Interestingly, he was seen lauding the involvement of the participants a few moments ago.
Having two participants in the final round, Sourav encouraged both of them. He explained how it will be a clear tie if the female participant doesn’t challenge her opponent. Being a host, he was seen boosting the confidence of one contestant while asking the other one to challenge the opponent. And being a player in its true sense, Sourav clearly explained the contestants, how a ‘tie’ can’t be the goal of a match. What matters is winning the game and the spirit.
What else can prove that he is 'Mahraj', in every possible way, be it the 22 yards or the stage of ‘Dadagiri’.