`Won`t imitate Amitabh Bachchan`

Veteran star Shatrughan Sinha says he will not imitate Big on Bhojpuri KBC.

New Delhi: Shatrughan Sinha`s stint as the host of `Kaun Banega Crorepati` in Bhojpuri is bound to attract comparison with Amitabh Bachchan but the veteran star says he will not imitate Big B.

The actor, known for his witty style, says he is not scared of being compared to Bachchan, his contemporary in the film industry. Sinha will host the Bhojpuri version of the show on Mahua Channel from June. "If he is Big B, then I am double B (Bihari Babu)," Sinha joked when asked about comparison with Bachchan. "Why shall I imitate Amitabh Bachchan? He had his own style in the KBC and I will have my own. I don`t claim that I am better than him but I don`t feel inferior to him. He is an old friend and the pride of the film industry," Sinha told PTI in an interview. The show, first launched in 2000, marked the successful comeback of Big B, who was going through a bad phase in his profession life. Bachchan`s popularity continues to be a litmus test for other TV hosts and even eclipsed Shah Rukh Khan`s performance in the third season of KBC. Sinha is aware that Bachchan`s performance casts a long shadow but the actor is confident that his original style and connect with Bhojpuri audience will click. "Be it films or TV programmes, I have never copied anybody and always believe in my own style. As far as comparisons are concerned, I think it`s for the viewers to judge our performances," he said. The Bollywood contemporaries worked together in 70s films `Dostana`, `Shaan`, `Naseeb` and `Kala Pathar`. Sinha, who is rehearsing for the show nowdays, said he agreed to do the programme to promote Bhojpuri language. "The language was spoken by leading personalities of the country including first President of the Independent India Rajendra Prasad, Loknayak Jayprakash Narayan and late Prime Minister Chandrasekhar...I wish to spread it further by doing a programme in that language," Sinha said. Bhojpuri is spoken in UP and Bihar in India and outside in countries like Guyana, Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago and Mauritius. PTI