What brings you to Roadies 7?
I am judging the audition rounds along with Nikhil Chinappa. You know, I was part of the first Roadies too. I had hosted the show, then. I remember Roadies was just a small idea where we had contestants travelling from one part to another. Though the adventure show was popular among the viewers, I realised that for the contestants it wasn’t much fun. They had to deal with a lot of stress, lack of sleep and gruelling tasks. It was a crazy experience. This time around, Nikhil, Cyrus Broacha and I decided that it’s important for participants to have some dramatic fun on the show.
What was your criteria for judging?
My job was to break through the image, these contestants presented to us and crack their real personality. It was important that they have a sense of fun and entertainment.
What kind of people have you come across so far?
Oh! it’s been an interesting experience. There have been all kinds of people auditioning for the show. Most of them portray themselves as cool dudes but turn out to be the opposite. There was this guy who boasted that he had no problems eating snakes. So, we blind-folded him and gave him a small box with a rope and gulab jamun. We told him it was a snake. The poor guy got so scared that he psyched himself into thinking that the snake had bitten him! It’s not that I want to be mean or rude to the contestants but this Roadies will be the hardest as they have to pass seven deadly sins in Africa. They have to be mentally and physically prepared for it. If we make it easy now, they will have a problem later.
How much time were you giving to each contestant?
At least 45 minutes to find out how the contestant blooms under pressure. The process had been gruelling for us judges too. We would start at 8.30 - 9 in the morning and go on till 4 am the next day. By the end of it, Nikhil and I used to be half-dead.
You have been hosting a game show on Pogo...
Two shows, Hole In The Wall and All Stars. Both the shows are popular with kids. The other day I was in a mall and around 100 kids came to me as they recognised me from the show. I love hosting those shows because it doesn’t matter who wins or loses. It’s about having fun. You see adults getting into those blue or red suits to do weird and funny tasks. It brings alive your childhood fantasies. Even doctors and laywers have participated in the show. The show helps me relax.
You have been hosting it for one-and-half years. Aren’t you bored?
Not bored but tired yes because I have shot 90 episodes in 20 days. The level of energy on the sets is unbelievable. Different people come on the show and end up being funny. There was this housewife who got stuck in the wall. She told her husband to pull her out. He tried his best but couldn’t. We also tried unsuccessfully. Finally, we had to snap open the wall! It was hilarious. Everyone including the woman was laughing uproariously.
Your film outings Rang De Basanti and Delhi 6, haven’t exactly been your highpoints?
In both the films what mattered to me was acting with an ensemble cast. In fact, in Delhi 6, there are many actors and everyone has a small role. It was an interesting movie to do.
What about Aisha? Do you have a significant role in the Sonam Kapoor-Abhay Deol starrer?
It is an Indian version of Jane Austen’s Emma. I just returned from an extensive shoot in Delhi and Hrishikesh. However, I can’t tell you about my role because it is too early, but yes I have an significant role in the film.
Any plans of revisiting Rendezvous With Simi Girebal?
No, as of now. But I have signed a couple of mad comedy shows, which are scheduled on MTV. They should be out in the next couple of months.
