Kids are my loyal fan base: Cyrus Sahukar

From music shows, talent hunts to game shows you have covered a wide gambit as a host. What appealed to you about Sab Khelo Sab Jeeto?  
The show has an old-world charm to it. First of all, it brings families together to play simple fun games like bursting maximum balloons in one minute  — the kind we played in our childhood. So, there is a bit of nostalgia there.  I think a large part of the world is going back to the old school. Whether it’s music or films, people have had a crazy overdose of loud drama and action. They want gentility.
Also, with phone, internet, etc, pervading our daily lives, we don’t have the time to sit together with our friends or family. This show helps do that. Also, it’s not about winning or losing, it’s about letting your hair down. Actually, it’s like being on a picnic. I have shot for one episode and coordinating with the six families is quite taxing, but fun. It will be visually funny too.

Of the shows that you have done on TV, which has been your favourite?
I really enjoyed playing offbeat characters. I used to do a show called Kickass Mornings in which I played over 25 characters. My favourite was Paromita — an attractive woman, she had come to India to become an actress. She was also an offbeat musician who had cut an album on diseases. I also loved playing the child’s character in Bechaare Zameen Par (a spoof on Taare Zameen Par).
However, my best character was the one I played in the film Delhi 6. I got to essay a sleazy photographer, Suresh. I guess I have this creepy look so it fit well!
 
You are also popular with kids...
Yes, they are my loyal fan base. I hosted 350 episodes of this Japanese show Hole In The Wall. It’s amazing how much pleasure kids get from seeing adults fail.

On the other hand, they accept defeat far more easily and have no preconceived notions. I think at some level I connect with them. I go back to my childhood when my sister, who is 10 years older to me, would treat me like a stuffed experiment. When she and her friends wanted to play, they would leave me on top of the cupboard so that I wouldn’t mess around. But, even after they finished the game, they would leave me there because they would just forget about me!

You have played several funny characters. What makes you laugh?
Humour is subjective. I can laugh at the dumbest jokes. These days politics makes me laugh a lot. Even common people unintentionally can have me in splits. However, on TV anyone remotely funny deserves an award because there can be a lot of hits and misses. I remember Bakra was a hit because it was quite crazy and new. Also, the spoofs that I did like The Simi Girebal Show and Piddhu The Great were novel then.

What next?
I have formed a production company Humble Pie with Rhea Kapoor, which will make content exclusively for the internet. We are ready with our first crazy show — we think it’s funny — and will soon be streamed. It’s a fair bit of hard work.