Pre-requisites
"You
don't have to look
like Brad Pitt to
be a good host.
In fact 90% of the
hosts worldwide
are not exceptionally
good looking,"
says Sajid Khan.
"You need to
talk well and this
can't be learnt."
Saiid
who began hosting
shows way back in
1994 (Main Bhi Detective)
is still going strong.
Ikke Pe Ikka his
countdown show on
Zee Cinema has done
over 400 episodes
and put him in the
big league. Of the
belief that hosting
is an inborn art
and that very few
people are born
with it, Sajid says,
"Shah Rukh
Khan, Shatrughan
Sinha, Karan Johar
are those blessed
with it. As for
Amitabh Bachchan
he is a superstar
and hence it is
easier for him to
host a show. He
is being himself."
Karan
Johar normally wears
the director's hat.
And when he is not
making films he
hosts a talk show,
Koffee with Karan.
The show brings
together celebrities
who are interviewed
in the show's trademark
informal style.
The first season
was a huge success,
and the programme
became the first
English entertainment
show to ever get
a huge rating in
India. Karan is
himself on the show,
chorus all those
who know him. A
veteran Karan very
cleverly juxtaposes
his teleprompter
lines with his real
lines. Having said
that he is a delight
to watch. In fact
another super host
Sajid Khan says,
"I like Karan
on the show. It
comes naturally
to him. I have known
him since years
and he has always
held a captive audience
be it when talking
informally with
friends or as a
host. He doesn't
pretend and that
is his USP."
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And
then there was Simi
Garewal in her impeccable
English accent hosting
Rendezvous with
Simi Garewal. A
picture perfect
in her designer
outfits and chic
appearance Simi
hosted this very
class-centric talk
show. Simi who had
been an actress
but not a successful
one had finally
found her calling.
The show spilled
over into many seasons
and Simi did her
la- di- dah act
to perfection.
From small-time
housie shows to
countdown shows
on TV, to prestigious
award functions
he has done them
all. Armed with
an abrasive sense
of humour, Sajid
Khan has done many
a celeb in with
the Sajid brand
of wit and all this
with his tongue
firmly in the cheek.
"Right
since my childhood
I was always standing
with a mike and
taking a show on
the floor,"
informs Sajid. "My
USP is being able
to connect with
people. I've hosted
shows for as varied
an audience as the
House of Commons,
to the Maharashtra
Shetkari Sangh.
My strength lies
in the fact that
I don't work on
a script. I never
use teleprompters
and I don't need
writers. What people
see is what they
get. I think a successful
host is one is who
conducts a show
without giving himself
too much importance."
Mini
Mathur who was a
MTV host for 4 years
has also hosted
both the seasons
of Indian Idol and
is gearing up for
the third is an
MBA in Marketing
and her stint with
hosting goes way
back to hosting
India's first game
show, Tol Mol
Ke Bol. She
is of the firm belief
that it is a very
specialised field.
Mini says, "Today
everybody is a me-too.
Unfortunately most
over do it. I am
in the business
since 10 years.
I haven't burned
out as I do less
work. I have a family
and am a happy person.
And because of my
life experiences
I can put it better
before the camera."
"An
effective anchor
needs to be quick
witted, observant
and adaptable to
unforeseen situations,"
says Roshan Abbas
popularTV host.
But when he took
over from the oh-so
natural Faroukh
Shaikh to host the
second season of
Jeena Isika Naam
Hain it was a tough
act to follow. Shaikh
had charmed viewers
with his dignity,
subtle wit and grace.
Despite his experience,
Abbas was unable
to match Shaikh.
As
there are so many
new shows mushrooming
now on the small
screen the hosts
can cast a wide
net. But what is
important is the
fact that the subject
should not matter
to a host. And hence
it is only a well-read/intelligent
host who can do
justice to the work.
Mini says that reality
shows do not have
a script. "It
is made up of good
moments. I like
to work on a basic
framework and then
improvise. It is
very reactive. Spontaneity
and wit are the
two essentials that
make a successful
host."
So
does that mean that
a Sanjeev Kapoor
who has been hosting
cookery shows should
try his hand at
a reality show?
Talking of spontaneity,
Ranvir Shorey and
Vinay Pathak are
the latest two entrants
in the hosting arena
and they are a delight
to watch on their
late night talk
show, Ranvir -Vinay
aur Kaun?
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