Veteran actor Anil Kapoor has returned to television as the host of India Ke Top 1%, a family game show that tests his spontaneity, presence of mind and ability to connect with people. The actor, who appears to be enjoying the game as much as its contestants, says remaining relevant after more than four decades in entertainment requires him to keep leaving his comfort zone.In an exclusive conversation with India Today, the 69-year-old spoke about what drew him to the format, the challenges of hosting 100 contestants in each episode and the response to the show.

He also discussed the discipline, curiosity and willingness to learn that have shaped his career across films, television and hosting.Having spent more than four decades in the entertainment industry, Kapoor has watched audiences and their preferences change. He said longevity could not be taken for granted, regardless of how long an actor has been around. "The audience doesn't owe you its attention because you've been around for forty years.

You have to give them something to look forward to today." Kapoor cited his decision to bring 24 to Indian television and his move to host India Ke Top 1% as examples of his willingness to try unfamiliar things. For him, repeating a successful formula is not enough. "You can't approach every opportunity thinking, 'This has worked for me before, so let me do it again.' Here, I can prepare, but I can't predict what a contestant will say or where a conversation will go.

I have to be completely present," he explained.A format that made him want to playKapoor said the format itself gave him the confidence to return to television because it immediately made him want to participate. "What excited me immediately was that I wanted to play the game myself! You look at a question, think you have the answer, and then realise you’ve missed something that was right in front of you.

I loved that feeling, because I could imagine families having the same reaction at home," he said. Hosting 100 contestants in every episode, however, presents its own challenges.

Kapoor has to understand their personalities, put them at ease and keep the game moving. He said the experience was unlike anything he had done before. "Even after so many years in entertainment, this felt like a new experience.

That combination gave me the confidence to say yes," he added.The game has also become a family activity at Kapoor's home, with his daughter Sonam Kapoor providing strong competition. It occasionally makes its way into his workouts too. "We play at home too, and Sonam gives me tough competition!

And sometimes in the gym also with my trainer Marc, we take a pause and start playing the game. It's so addictive and engaging," he shared.Discipline, curiosity and learningKapoor said there was no magic formula behind his ability to reinvent himself across films, television and hosting.

He attributed it to discipline, curiosity and a willingness to continue learning."I take my work seriously, and I've been fortunate to work with people who push me and tell me honestly when I can do better. I'm comfortable asking questions, preparing and learning from someone much younger than me," he said.He added that even conversations with contestants could offer a fresh perspective. "I still arrive on set wanting to do well, and I still go home thinking about what I could have done better.

As long as that matters to me, I'll keep giving it everything I have," he said.Contestants leave an impressionKapoor spoke about contestants such as Bittu Tabahi, known for his efforts to clean rivers, and Mumbai autorickshaw driver Sandeep Bachche, whose acts of service left an impression on him. He said such interactions had added another dimension to his experience as a host."As a host, you get to discover the person beyond the contestant.

When a show gives you those conversations and also brings people together at home, the success becomes much more personal," he concluded.The show premiered in September and emerged as the biggest family game show in a decade, according to JioStar's internal data on non-celebrity game show launches. It had three winners in its first six episodes, with Bijal Shah taking home Rs 94 lakh in the premiere episode.

More than 2.2 lakh people also joined the Play Along experience on JioHotstar.- Ends