Let’s start with a quiz question – what is common to Parmeet Sethi, Archana Puran Singh, Mona Singh, Rohit Roy, Shweta Tiwari and Shiv Pandit? Rack your brains and search your telly memories to find out. The correct answer lies in a reality show. Yes, they are all hosts of Jhalak Dikhlaa Jaa (JDJ) since the year it started. While the others are well-known film and television personalities, Shiv Pandit (this year’s host along with Shweta Tiwari) is a somewhat odd man out in this list. He shot to fame with his hosting IPL cricket matches last year and has also played a role in the serial FIR . Tellychakkar spoke exclusively to the handsome actor-turned-host. Excerpts from the interview.

Congrats on bagging the prized role of Jhalak Dikhlaa Jaa’s host. Tell us something about how this happened.

Honestly speaking, it fell in my lap! Sony called and offered me this and there was reason for me to say No! I am really grateful to Sony authorities for giving me two most prized shows in my career – IPL matches and JDJ. After taking up the job, I did have some issues with the dates and was a bit confused on what would be the best way to schedule JDJ. I had a couple of meetings with Sony and we could iron out the problems. Jhalak is a very good show, I am very excited to be a part of this.

You will be co-hosting the show with Shweta Tiwari – one of the most senior actresses on Indian television. Are you nervous?

Not at all! On the contrary it is my proud privilege to work with her. We have finished shooting for the first episode and had a gala time with her. The shooting went of perfectly. I am extremely happy that I could pair up with such a good performer, dancer and actress.

Shweta Tiwari has been in the news for her tantrums on the sets. How has your experience been?

One advantage or disadvantage of working with me is the fact that I am very thick skinned. I don’t care if someone is snooty, wants to talk or to ignore. I understand that we are in this for professional reasons and the faster we complete our shooting the better.

Having said that let me clarify that I have had no problems whatsoever working with her. We have a very good working relationship and I sincerely hope that this continues.

Recently, the Zee authorities replaced the host (Tarana) in Dance India Dance with Saumya Tandon because of the apparent lack in chemistry between Tarana and Jay Bhanushali. There are also reports saying that because Tarana is much older than Jay Bhanushali, this did not work out. What are your thoughts on this controversy?

I am not sure whether age is the reason for replacement in the show or not. I am not aware of what went inside and thus would not like to comment. However, if you are indirectly asking me about my chemistry with Shweta, I would say audience is the ultimate judge. On my part, I sincerely hope and will try my best to ensure that Shweta and I have a very good bonding.

Tell us something about your looks in the show.

(smiles) Designer Hemant Trivedi has worked on my looks and we have had many discussion sessions to finalise my looks for the show. During IPL last year, the audience could see me in lots of T-shirts and jeans. However, in JDJ I will be required to wear a lot more formal dresses as per needs of the show. I feel, clothes should not be so flashy that they draw the audience attention away from you.

What do you feel about the contestant line up this year?

This year’s list of participants has a number of surprises. For example who could imagine sports personalities like Mohinder Amarnath and Baichung Bhutia shaking their legs in the show. And then there are good dancers like Gauhar Khan and Monica Bedi who will charm the audience with their dancing skills and good looks!

You have acted in a Tamil film – Leelai. Tell us something about your first film experience.

I am very fortunate to have worked under a very famous banner down South (Oscar Films – V. Ravichandran) . But I must admit that it was not cakewalk for me. Language is a big barrier for me and my voice will be dubbed for the dialogues. However, I have five song sequences in the film and had to lip-sync the songs. It was pretty tough! I had to mug up dialogues even during a break when everyone else was relaxing. Leelai is a romantic comedy where actress Mansi Parekh (India Calling fame) will be pairing with me. I play a character who takes everyone for granted and does not care about emotions. That is when he meets Mansi in his office. The film is about how his life changes after that. Leelai will release in April.

We know very little about your personal life. What’s happening on that front?

I am from Delhi and have a brother and a sister. While my brother is a very good footballer, my sister has come to Mumbai to work behind the camera as a technical expert. I came to Mumbai seven years back and started my career as a RJ. I have done diametrically opposite shows like FIR where I played Hanuman Prasad, and hosted IPL matches. I could manage this because of my English literature academic background and meeting people from all strata of the society.

And, I am single!