Making the right moves-Hussain(new intv)

After displaying his anchoring skills on Indian Idol and his dance moves on Nach Baliye, small screen heartthrob Hussain is having a ball hosting Dance Premier League on Sony. A t2 chat…

What has the experience been like hosting DPL so far?

It's been phenomenal, a complete learning experience. The performers are way too good and they just inspire you to dance like them. Being a part of DPL has made me realise how much talent is just waiting to be explored in our country. DPL is the kind of show that has never happened on Indian television before. Nowhere will you get to see such a good mix of contemporary moves with Indian traditional folk dances. The contestants are amazing and the choreographers are simply too talented. My eyes pop out every time I see them perform. I am having a great time on DPL.

Does hosting DPL call for a different approach than anchoring Indian Idol?

The difference in content calls for a difference in approach. The one major difference this time around is that having won a dance show myself (Nach Baliye), I am more in sync and can gauge what is happening and also come up with my own inputs. I can understand the various harkats (movements) that make up a particular dance and appreciate them. I really couldn't contribute to Indian Idol in the same way, because I am a pathetic singer (laughs). Also, hosting DPL is a lot more interesting because the format marries Bollywood with cricket, both of which are a passion with almost every Indian.

What are the five essentials of a good show host?

Confidence and a good command over the language. A show host has to be poised and be able to think off the cuff. Most importantly, he should know when to speak and when to shut up! (Laughs).

Of the performances so far, are there any that stand out in your mind?

There was a performance by the Western Yoddhas team that had all of us raving. They had scripted an entire performance around the subject of farmer suicides and it was a truly mind-blowing dance choreographed by Harshal-Vitthal. Then there was a solo Malkhamb dance that blew us away. That is a performance to look out for.

After having Mini Mathur and Meiyang Chang as co-hosts on Indian Idol, how has it been hosting DPL with Bidaai girl Sara Khan?

Sara is a very nice girl. Unfortunately, we haven't been able to interact much because I walked into the show late (Hussain replaced Eijaz Khan), but I think we complement each other well. I can't say that we have a really good chemistry, but we are improving with each episode.

DPL has a stellar line-up of judges, including Rani Mukerji…

We have an amazing group of people on the show. The coaches (choreographers) are some of the best in the business, we have a very competent umpire in the form of Shiamak Davar and the judges, especially Rani, bring a lot to the table. They all disagree a lot and as a host it is my duty to control them (laughs), but at the end of the day we all are working towards making DPL a success.

Given a choice, would you like to come back to the show as a host or a contestant?

Oh, being a host is much easier. I always thought that I was a good dancer, but after the level of talent that I have seen in DPL, I know that I still have a very long way to go.