‘Easier than cricket dressing-room disputes’: Sourav Ganguly on managing Bigg Boss Bangla conflicts

Ganguly, who has already shot the promo for the show, unveiled the Bengali version of the popular reality television format at a city hotel on Friday.

Speaking to the media, the former India captain opened up about adapting to the format of Bigg Boss, which he said is fundamentally different from the other reality shows he has hosted.

‘I will adjust, just as I have done throughout my life on the cricket field’

Taking a cue from his international cricket career, Ganguly said he is prepared to adapt to the demands of the show.

“I will adjust, just as I have done throughout my life on the cricket field — from flat pitches to turning tracks to bouncy wickets. This is a show that is completely centred around the participants. I have always maintained that such shows are about the people who come in.

“Even my earlier quiz shows were as much about the people as they were about the questions and answers. The same goes for this show. I will also be doing an international quiz show for Star after this finishes,” he said.

Ganguly has previously hosted two Bengali reality shows — Dadagiri and Ke Hobe Banglar Kotipoti, the Bengali adaptation of Amitabh Bachchan-hosted Kaun Banega Crorepati.

Ganguly prepares for ‘in-house issues’

Bigg Boss is the Indian adaptation of the international reality television format Big Brother. The show brings a group of contestants, often celebrities and public figures, under one roof, where they live together under constant surveillance and compete in various tasks.

The format is known for its interpersonal conflicts, alliances, friendships, rivalries and emotional confrontations, with contestants facing periodic nominations and eliminations.

Speaking about his preparation for the show, Ganguly said he had watched several episodes to understand the format.

“I have watched a lot of episodes of the programme. It is essentially about interacting with the people in the house. The participants will have their issues and complaints, I will have to decide what is right and wrong, bring in ethics, and deal with things like punishment and food. So, it is going to be a little different. Hopefully, I will be able to pull it off,” he said.

‘Bigg Boss conflicts should be easier than cricket dressing-room disputes’

Ganguly said his experience of handling different personalities during his cricket career would help him manage conflicts inside the Bigg Boss house.

“I will be able to manage the in-house disputes because I have witnessed a lot of them in the dressing room throughout my cricketing career. The stakes are different, but the conflicts in Bigg Boss should be easier to handle than some of the situations I have had to deal with in cricket,” the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president said.

Ganguly on Salman Khan

In the Hindi version of Bigg Boss, Salman Khan has been the show's most prominent host for several seasons, particularly during the weekend episodes.

Ganguly said he has watched the Hindi version hosted by Salman and is excited about taking on the new role.

“It is a show that is completely new to me as a host. I have watched the Hindi show which Salman Khan hosts on the weekends. It is quite exciting, actually. Since it revolves around in-house issues, I am really looking forward to it,” Ganguly said.

He added, “I have never met Salman Khan personally in my entire life. I had only come across him once, at a film festival (KIFF).”

Bigg Boss Bangla was previously hosted by Bollywood veteran Mithun Chakraborty (2013) and Bengali film superstar Jeet (2016).

‘A new platform and a new chapter’

Ganguly also reflected on how his personality away from the cricket field differs from the image audiences may have seen during his playing days.

“I am a very conservative Bengali boy who has seen all sorts of antics on the cricket field, but as a person, I am very different from the character people have seen on the cricket field.

“So, this is a new platform and a new chapter for me. But throughout my life, I have learnt to adapt — whether as a player, captain, administrator or now as a host,” the former BCCI president added.

When and where to watch Bigg Boss Bangla

Bigg Boss Bangla will premiere on Star Jalsa and JioHotstar on August 30.

(Photos: Avishek Mitra/IBNS)