At heart I am a small town guy-artical

In a free-wheeling interview with A. L. CHOUGULE Saath Phere protagonist Sharad Kelkar speaks about the challenge of anchoring a reality show.

Q Anchoring seems to be the new career option for actors. Is it the case with you too?
Not really. I have anchored a few award functions and have also hosted a mini season of Antakshari for Zee Dubai. But that was just a 13-episode job done in four days. After I was voted out of Jjhoom India, I got this offer from Zee to host Rock-N-Roll Family and I just grabbed it because this is a big show and offers a larger platform for me to try out television hosting.

Q It is said that talkative people make good TV hosts. How comfortable do you feel in your new job?
I love talking and if talking makes you a good anchor then I am already a good host (laughs). But jokes apart, anchoring is not easy. When I anchored Antakshari I was quite nervous on the first day. The lack of confidence was probably because I was not used to working with a nine-camera set up. But I improved gradually.

Q Does the presence of a high profile jury on the show make you nervous?
I am sure it does. I am sure I am going to stammer and shiver on the first day of shoot. Kajol, Ajay and Tanujaji are big celebrities. I have only seen them in movies and never met them in person. Though I am living in Mumbai for the last couple of years, at heart I am a small town guy in awe of film celebrities.

Q How much does a script help in anchoring a show?
Generally we get a basic script to prepare for each episode. In some stage shows there is a tele-prompter too. Here there will be script but anchoring is not possible without deviating from the script. Since this is a big show for me I am going to do proper technical rehearsals before I start shooting.

Q. What's the USP of Rock-N-Roll Family?
Three generations of one family competing on a dance floor for the title. The essence of the show is grit, determination, emotions, family bonding and passion for dance. It's a fun show and I am sure everyone, including the jury, will have a great time.

Q Why didn't you get your wife Kirti to co-host the show?
We don't make a complete family yet. If Kirti had to be on the show we should have had a child first. The show is for three generations and we 've yet to start a third generation.

Q Why are you lagging behind?
Where is the time to start a family when both of us are working?

Q You have done a couple of shows with Kirti. Why are you not working with her anymore?
Nobody is giving us an opportunity to work together again. But I am doing a show with her at home and it's going great guns (laughs).