I kept planning and things kept happening their way: Sushant Singh

Sushant Singh, who started with theatre and worked his way up in films like Jungle, Kaun, Josh and the recent Yeh Saali Zindagi makes his debut as a TV anchor on Colors’ Wanted - High Alert. Though mind you, TV is not new to him either. Sushant talks to TellyChakkar about why he chose to host a crime reality show and why he is still unprepared for this. It’s been a long journey from theatre to films to hosting/anchoring… ‘Anchor’ is the right word and it’s a big responsibility as in movies a lot of people are supporting you and you are supporting others. It’s easier to wear a mask of the character you’re playing because you’re hidden behind it. Here there is no mask it’s just you and me. I am nervous! Nervous? Yes, nervous thinking will I be able to connect? Will people like me? That’s the basic insecurity every actor has and now I am coming as myself. Anchoring means a lot rides on your shoulders. There is an added responsibility making people aware and trying to mobilize them. Trying to motivate them to help you is a big responsibility. It’s not a quiz show where I am giving away prizes. Here, your only prize is that you have done something good by helping others. As such our lives are not safe 24 x 7 we are afraid something might happen, an accident, a shootout, a bomb blast; and we are just asking you to be aware of the situation around you, to be alert. You usually wouldn’t endanger your lives for the sake of others because you have family and responsibilities too but we are there to help you. We are providing the platform to reach out easily. If you go directly to the police things may not work fast but as a medium we might have an advantage. What is the show about? It’s based on real crimes and real families involved we will let you know of crimes that have happened around you, in cities like Ahmednagar, Mumbai, Delhi or even in villages. And these criminals have managed to escape the law. We make you aware of such people and implore you to help us. How does the news come in? Do you have a team that act as reporters? We have our hotline numbers, website, email-ids, plus our teams are going to be in as many towns and cities as possible. We are available 24 hours for anyone who wants to call us. You see anything, anyone suspicious or even feel he or she resembles someone you saw on the show, call us. It’s all about helping the police to work better. What is the main aim of this show? In the first season we would be talking about 30 odd cases. If even one or two criminals get caught with the help of the people we will have achieved our motive. That’s the only aim. What attracted you to this? A sense of satisfaction, I am not merely anchoring a reality, this is also giving me a chance to do my bit as a citizen. People have given me a lot and now it’s my turn. Do we see you on the field too? I’ll be in the studio. The teams will be in different places and if it’s possible the families who have faced these situations will be called on the show and we will try talking to them. Do you feel the audience will accept this show? That’s a big question and that makes me nervous as a lot depends on me. If I am not able to convey the message to you, you may not see the results. Are you undergoing any preparation for your new job? I have been rehearsing a lot. I have been taping myself and showing the tape to my friends and getting their reactions. I want to know if I am energetic enough, forceful enough, if I am reaching out to you and am I arousing you enough to act. The anchors we see on news channels are usually accused of being loud and dramatic. How different are you going to be? The news channels no doubt are very loud these days. Here there will be no nonsense. I will be serious and forceful. You are doing Gulaal too. Does this mean you will do more TV? I have stopped planning. In 1996 I came to Mumbai and it’s been a good 14 years when I kept planning and things kept happening their way so, I stopped planning. Gulaal came my way; I liked the concept, show and the character and so I did it. Colors approached me with this show. I liked it and agreed. Tomorrow if someone else approaches me and god willing, I like it I will say ‘yes’ again be it a show or a movie. Do you have any film offers at present? I am reading a few scripts but with these shows I will have to give ample notice to the channels. If I plan to do anything more, I will ensure my work here doesn’t get hampered. Do you agree the line between TV and Bollywood has blurred now? It’s blurred! There was time when a music channel was surviving solely on Bollywood now it has changed. Now when a film releases the whole publicity of that film survives on music channels. Times have changed. The cast and crew come to reality shows as guests etc!