Next, Gajendra launched what would be one of his most popular shows -- Antakshari. But even as he was on the threshold of real success, his uncle died in 1992.
"Till this day I regret that he did not see my fame and my serial," Gajendra laments. "He knew I had become successful in life after quitting Doordarshan but I had not yet become a very big name."
Zee's Antakshari brought with it its share of twists and turns. Gajendra wanted Anu Kapoor to host the show, while others preferred Sajid Khan.
Eventually, Gajendra had to give in to the pressures of replacing Anu with Sajid, who was more popular in those days.
Unfortunately, Gajendra could not get along with Sajid from Day 1 itself. Sajid wanted a trendy presentation of Antakshari, while Gajendra preferred a traditional form. Sajid walked out.
"Everyone cursed me after he walked out," Gajendra recalls. "Some felt that I should not do Antakshari though it was my concept. It was not lifted like Sony's Indian Idol."
Gajendra finally managed to convince the Zee bosses to take try Anu Kapoor. When the rehearsals began, everybody seemed convinced the serial would become a hit.
Antakshari ran for 12 years, and enjoyed many hosts besides Anu, like Sonu Nigam and Shaan.
Advertisement
