| INTERVIEW | ARSHAD WARSI |
A L C
Posted online: Friday, January 19, 2007 at 0000 hours IST
It's ten weeks since you started anchoring Bigg Boss. How do you find the show?
It's a brilliant show. The concept is amazing. I wouldn't have agreed to be a host had I not found it different and appealing. And it's working like magic. People are talking about it. Even the people I know in the film industry are hooked on to it. Recently I was shooting with Kirron Kher and seem to know every little detail of the show. Bipasha (Basu) is hooked on to Bigg Boss. My wife Maria is an avid watcher of the show.
How do you find television anchoring?
Oh, it's not easy. I used to see other big actors anchoring TV shows and would often say it's not a big deal at all. But I was wrong. Anchoring is difficult. Not only does it require presence of mind but you also have to have a very sharp mind to know what's playing in the contestant's mind. Sense of humour and timing also play a crucial role in anchoring. Bachchan is my guru because he is the best anchor we have had on television so far.
How much work is it for you to host the eviction episode?
As far as possible I try to watch the show every day. If I can't then Maria gives me a lowdown on the show and I also go through the DVD of the episode. My work on the eviction episode starts from Thursday night when I reach Karjat. Though I have a fair idea about the week's happenings in the show I go through the script and during shooting I add my own inputs.
Do you think it's very difficult to stay inside the house?
It is quite difficult and most of the evicted people have admitted that it is indeed very hard because it's edgy life inside. You can't put on an act and carry it through for long. Your real self gets exposed completely. Though they know that they are playing a game and they have to stay in till the last, three months is too long a stay in a house without any contact with the outside world. A person can tolerate physical trauma but one can face emotional and mental trauma for too long. I am sure most of them want to run away but they are stuck.
But now the show has reached the crucial stage and they all must be trying hard to survive...
Indeed. They have lived here for ten weeks and it's a matter of three weeks more. Now it's time to play the mind game for them to avoid getting nominated. They all must be sensing victory.
I think it is Rahul Roy. He is a very settled person with head on his shoulders. He has got his priorities right. He is in total control of himself.
And who you think has the best chances to win the game?
I think it is Rahul, Ravi and Carol. While Rahul has exercised complete control over his mind and emotions, Carol comes out as a genuine person. But Ravi seems to be ahead of Rahul and Carol in the race because of his popularity in the UP-Bihar-MP belt.
Are you looking at doing more anchoring job on TV? What about acting on television?
I am open to anchoring. I enjoy it. But television is not my idea of acting. I had acted in a serial and it was a mistake. TV demands more of format acting at a hectic speed. To me acting is more of emotions than anything else.
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
