Have these TV stars found their calling as hosts?

They came into our living rooms as actors, but got immense popularity as hosts. Whether it is Rithvik Dhanjani, Jay Bhanushali, Karan Wahi, or Karan Tacker, all of them are sought-after names when it comes to anchoring talent hunt shows based on dancing, singing or acting. So much so, that they have been hosting reality shows back-to-back — Rithvik, who was hosting Super Dancer 2, has quit that to anchor India’s Next Superstars, following which he will take up Would You Do That? Jay Bhanushali will host Voice India Kids 2 and Super Dancer 2, simultaneously. Karan Wahi, who hosted Indian Idol 7 and participated in Khatron Ke Khiladi: 8, is now giving Rithvik company on India’s Next Superstars. Karan Tacker, who last hosted Nach Baliye 7, has just wrapped up a music reality show as host on the digital platform and is in talks for another such assignment on TV. And, the big daddy of all, Maniesh Paul, who started his career on TV as an actor and became a name to reckon with as a host with his sense of humour and affable nature, has become synonymous with the dance show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.

ACTING TO HOSTING

After doing three fiction shows back-to-back for seven years, Karan Tacker wanted a break. “I was exhausted after working 320 days a year. That’s when I decided I should become a host and showcase my personality. Through serials, you connect with the viewer as a character, but when you host a show, people get to know you as a person. However, there’s no doubt that it’s because of the fiction shows and their popularity that you become a celebrity host in the first place,” says Karan, who got noticed as the suave and charming anchor of Voice India.

Jay, who turned host after gaining fame with serials like Kayamath and Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil, adds that it’s difficult to get an anchoring job. “Since I already had a fan base, it became easier. I wanted to show my anchoring skills as I knew I had it in me,” says the actor whose first hosting assignment was Dance India Dance. His equation with Mithun Chakraborty was the highlight and he went on to host 15 seasons of the show!

For Rithvik, it was the challenge of doing something new that got him to anchor India’s Best Dramebaaz. “I had started as an actor and went on to participate in a reality show as a contestant. So, the tables were turning and I loved trying out new things,” he says. His friendly demeanour and antics have made him so popular that he is seen hosting shows of various genres.

THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING A HOST

All the actors are unanimous about the fact that hosting is a shorter commitment vis-a-vis acting in a daily soap. “Hosting is fun because you can be yourself according to the situation and not a script,” says Karan Wahi. Jay finds it stress-free. He states, “In a serial, the first time you deliver a dialogue it’s interesting. But by the end of the scene, it becomes irritating because you have said it five-six times. On the other hand, when you are hosting you just step on stage and till the show is over, you are the captain of the ship!”

Of course, the money also is much more. According to sources, they get paid around Rs 2-4 lakh per day. For the last season of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, Maniesh was reportedly paid Rs 7 lakh per episode.

DON’T THEY MISS ACTING?

“Definitely,” says Jay, who is now keen to do a soap. “I came here to be a romantic actor and build a fan base among girls,” he smiles. Even Rithvik, who was last seen in the serial Pavitra Rishta four years ago, says his first love is acting. “Anchoring is an extension of acting but I can never let go of my true passion, which is acting. I’m waiting to select the right kind of challenging role since a show requires a much longer commitment than a few months of anchoring,” he says. Karan Tacker is interested only if it is a finite series and a thriller at that! Karan Wahi, on his part, did try to make a comeback as an actor with Kahani Hamari... Dil Dosti Deewanepan Ki, but it didn’t work. “I shot for a few pilots and even did one show, but things didn’t work out so when it comes to acting, it could be film or web; medium doesn’t matter,” he says.

More importantly, when it comes to hosting, there are only a handful of actors who are good in the business. That’s the reason they are in demand and end up hopping from one show to another. Only time will tell whether these actors will eventually act in soaps or continue as hosts.