Sharad Kelkar is treading a new path. The handsome hunk is set to host Zee TV’s first dance-based reality show Rock ‘N’ Roll Family. And like every novice, Sharad is experiencing those butterflies in the belly. He describes his predicament, in his own inimitable way. “I feel like a batsman who’s just walked on to the pitch for the first time in his career.”

He’s known across most households as Nahar Singh of Saath Phere but Rock ‘N’ Roll Family presents an opportunity to scale a new height. After all, not all get the opportunity to work with a team that has produced the most successful reality show - Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. The actor too endorses the same. “Sa Re Ga.. is indeed the best show ever. For fifteen years, they (producers) have been running the show successfully. I grabbed the opportunity, the moment it came my way.”

As one who’s a complete novice to anchoring, it does surprise that Sharad was chosen for this task. Sharad gets defensive as he says, “Though, I’ve never learnt anchoring, I did have some experience as a host. Not long ago, I had hosted a stage show in Dubai. I had positive feedback then and this spread across the circles. My name was recommended for Rock ‘N’ Roll and this gave me the necessary encouragement.”

While he’s bagged the opportunity, Sharad is well aware of the enormous task ahead. He says “Just to be chosen by the team of Sa Re.. is an honour in itself. However, my mind isn’t occupied with this. For me, it’s about learning a new craft. Out here there’s never any given script or use of the teleprompter. It makes my task all them more arduous.”

The hallmark of a successful anchor lies in being your self. That’s precisely what Sharad intends to do. “I’m very childish and emotional by nature. That’s’ exactly how I’ll be on the stage. Also, trust me to shed a tear or two.”

It’s right being oneself but will Sharad be able to hold his own in front of an esteemed jury – Tanuja, Ajay and Kajol Devgan? He replies, “That’s one of the challenges that lie ahead of me. I’ve just met these stars for the first time in my life. I’ll have to be careful as to what I say.

I remember my harrowing experience at an award function recently wherein I had to face Amitabh Bachchan. Smriti Irani was supposed to invite him to the stage but unfortunately, Amitji arrived early and Smriti Irani wasn’t ready. So, I was asked to do the honours. However, I was stammering and was speechless for the best part of the act.”

In a show which has Ajay, Kajol and Tanuja, there is every likelihood that Sharad may not get much focus.. However, the actor is unperturbed. “It’s true that I many not be the prime focus of this show. But I’m a star within my own right. People across India and abroad call me Nahar Singh. Thus, I’m no less than any Bollywood superstar. If I were a newcomer, may be then it would be a loss for me,” he says.

Finally, in a show which will be contested between families, has a family as jury, why don’t we have Mrs.Kelkar in it? With a broad smile on his face, Sharad quips “That would have been perfect. But she has to do her own work. She’s currently busy doing Solhah Singaarr. If she were to be with me here, then we wouldn’t get any time to be together at home. I need an off in a week to be with her.”