He is known for rib-tickling dialogues and one of the pioneers to introduce comedy in hosting. MANIESH PAUL speaks with MUSBA HASHMI about what attracted him to Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs Season 8

What made you say yes?

I have had a long relation with Zee TV. I started my career with the channel and have done some amazing work. This time when I got a call to host Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs, I had no reason to say ‘no’. I thought that it’s a good platform to be on. Also, I have never hosted any season of the show. Adding to that, it is one of the longest running shows — running for 25 years now. These are some of the reasons why I came on board the show.

Do you have to be extra careful while hosting kids based shows?

Absolutely. Whenever I host, I make sure that none of my jokes are cheap or below the belt. That’s one of my plus points.  And obviously, when kids are around, I have to be extra careful because they do look up to us. Whatever we do, they repeat. Not only me, everyone on the sets are extremely careful. We always try that kids should learn something good from us. Another thing that we take care of is to teach kids that it is not only about winning or losing. Not everyone will be the winner but everyone can learn something good here.

Were you always interested in hosting?

I always wanted to get into the entertainment industry. But I had no idea that I would end up becoming a host. When I came to Mumbai, I took whatever that was offered to me that time. Some people tell me that they never thought that I would reach such heights and I tell them ‘ki aap bol rahe ho toh ho sakta hai main yaha tak pohocha hoga, par mainey iss bare me kabhi socha nahin hai’. I don’t think about such things, I just want to focus on my work and do better everyday. I love what I do.

A lesson learnt in the industry?

One needs to be extremely patient and  have to work with the same dedication each and every time. There is no scope of taking any day lightly. You have to be very sincere. I have done so much  of work and explored different mediums but there was not even a single day when I thought of relaxing or being insincere towards my work. I still wake up with the same passion that I had when I first came to Mumbai.

Any challenges that you have to go through?

I don’t see anything as struggle. I call it the learning period. I came to Mumbai without having any support or clue of what I will be doing next. But God has been kind to me that I gradually made my way.

The audience has been kind to me. They loved and appreciated my work. I have seen days when I had no work and I have seen those days too when I had a lot of work. It’s all a part and parcel of life.

How supportive was your family of your decision of being a part of the industry?

My family has been extremely supportive throughout. I come from a family where no one has ever been in the entertainment industry. My father is a chartered accountant. A lot of people asked him what am I doing and why. But he was firm in his opinion that I should pursue what I want to. It is their love and support that has got me here.

Some best moment from your journey.

There are many. But to name one, meeting Amitabh Bachchan in the initial days of my career. I was hosting an award show when I met him. Then I went on hosting an episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati with him. Apart from that, working with Salman sir, Shah Rukh sir and Akshay sir has been some of my big achievements. I had never thought that I would meet these superstars someday.

What is your approach towards comedy?

There is no such approach. I don’t think about it too seriously. Only thing that I keep mind is to do the kind of work that my mother can watch proudly. I don’t want to do anything that would make my parents feel ashamed of me or my work.

Are you similar to what we get to see on screen?

Yes. I am more or less the similar person. Main ekdum mast aadmi hoon. When I am with my family — my wife and two children, I am like a family man. When I am working, I am very serious about it. I like keeping everyone around me happy because that gives me a lot of positive vibes.

What is there in the pipeline?

I have just finished shooting for a film Vijaynagar for an OTT platform. It is my web debut. I am also in talks for a lot of projects for some other OTT platforms. Apart from that I am doing Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs. There are couple of more projects in the pipeline and people will get to know about it soon.