Sameer Nair, head of NDTV's upcoming entertainment channel, says the challenges of his new job are going to be greater: "The stakes are higher, so the victories and losses are also higher."

"I'm also part owner of this new channel (NDTV Imagine). That brings an even greater sense of responsibility," Nair told IANS.

What are his plans for NDTV Imagine?

"When I'm asked what I'm going to do, I say something old, something fresh, something borrowed and a touch of the new. What I'm going to do at NDTV is what I'd have done at STAR if I had stayed on."

His ultimate goal is to make it the best channel.

"I'm always in pursuit of excellence. So yes, I'd want NDTV Imagine to go right up there. If our channel beats STAR at the TRP game, I'd be elated."

Excerpts:

Q: How does the move feel?

A: Exciting. I joined from April 2... thank god it wasn't April 1. To start with, we'll do a Hindi entertainment channel. Then we'll go on to many other things. The sky's the limit. First we have to get the office and team in place, put ideas down. I've been at the helm of affairs for seven years at STAR. It's supremely exciting.

The change will bring out the best in me. My ex-boss always used to say change brings challenge and challenge brings excellence. It's a good process of re-discovery for me. I've been closely associated with the television business. But the idea now is to do everything connected with entertainment within television space.

Q: You seem to have taken a large part of your efficient team from STAR to NDTV?

A: Yes, some of them are accompanying me. Others will stay back. Shailja Kejriwal, who's been a part of my creative team from the start, will join me at NDTV. When I'm asked what I'm going to do, I say something old, something fresh, something borrowed and a touch of the new. What I'm going to do at NDTV is what I'd have done at STAR if I had stayed on.

Q: How heavy will the Bollywood in-flow be?

A: Bollywood and television are so closely linked. In recent years, we've had Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar coming into television. The marriage between Bollywood and television will be further solemnised. There'll be a lot of Bollywood on our channel for sure.

I'm also part owner of this new channel. That brings an even greater sense of responsibility. The stakes are higher. Hence the victories and losses are also higher. Karan, who's also a part of NDTV, has a lot to do.

Q: Will Karan bring a lot of stars into the channel?

A: I've much more in mind for Karan than bringing in the stars. He has fantastic vision. We're looking at many ideas. General entertainment needs a great amount of imagination.

Q: Would you consider STAR to be your biggest rival?

A: At the moment it's the biggest channel and network. I'm always in pursuit of excellence. So yes, I'd want NDTV Imagine to go right up there. If our channel beats STAR at the TRP game, I'd be elated.

Q: Would you miss STAR?

A: Of course! My STAR colleagues gave me a great farewell party. It was a super show. My friends bought me a really fancy mobile phone. And then they gave me a watch. They're all such close friends. Leaving STAR was like growing up and leaving home.

At the moment we're getting our new office done. When I joined STAR in 1994 we built the STAR office from scratch. Now I'm re-visiting the past as the new office comes up. These are exciting times for me. I'm really kicked.