May 21, 2010 (Sampurn Wire):A reality show can change the fortunes of an absolute nobody. Ashutosh Kaushik, Sunidhi Chauhan, Abhjeet Sawant are examples of it. As Mr. India 2008, Pravesh Rana wasn’t befit to be called an absolute nobody, yet he’s no different from the names. The fact, that nobody knew about his Mr.India triumph is a reflection of how poorly the contest has been received by the media or the general public.
One fine day, Rana watched Bigg Boss 3, decided to SMS his application for a wild card entry, and the rest as we know is history. Rana finished first runner-up and few months later, he’s back on the small screen. This time , he isn’t locked into any house but chosen to host Colors show Chak Dhoom Dhoom – a dance reality show for kids.
In an exclusive chat with TellyCafe’s Mayur Lookhar, the actor talks about his new show, his equation with Claudia Ciesla and Rohit Verma, Vindoo’s alleged expulsion from Chak Dhoom Dhoom and more read one.
Chak Dhoom Dhoom is a reward for the winner and the finalist of Bigg Boss. Do you agree?
No, I don’t think so. Anchoring is a skilled job. You can’t let anyone take to the mic. I have the experience of anchoring close to 400 live shows. The channel wanted someone to connect with the audience. Bigg Boss gave me that exposure and through it I was able to connect to the viewers as the common man. However, at the end of the day, you ought to have the necessarily anchoring skills.
Vindoo and you weren’t always cordial to each other during Bigg Boss. What’s your reaction to him being out of the show now?
I believe he was contracted till the audition rounds only. Till the time he was there, Vindoo pretty much did what was expected of him. Besides, I seldom got any time to spend with him.
Don’t you think it was a wrong decision to choose Vindoo in the first place?
I’m not the right person to comment on it. The channel will be best person to answer that. He became very popular with Bigg Boss. There’s no harm in trying to cash that popularity.
You were quoted in a report saying that you weren’t in favor of children being exposed to limelight. Was there any reservation about taking Chak Dhoom Dhoom then?
I was slightly misquoted. I didn’t say that I’m not in favour of children taking to this profession. Children can become stars, but it’s important that in the process they don’t lose on their childhood. It worries me that children are maturing a bit too early for their age. When they turn 21, they realise that they didn’t have any childhood. It’s very essential for parents to make their kids understand that childhood is most precious.
You came in as one who represented the common man. Is a former Mr.India fit to be categorized as a common man?
Frankly speaking, before Bigg Boss, nobody knew that I was Mr. India. In fact, even when I turned up for the auditions, the production officials too were surprised to know that here’s a former Mr.India. It’s just not me, but people simply don’t even know who the current Mr.India is. My struggle before and after winning Mr.India didn’t recede. I was simply a common man who watched Bigg Boss and decided to give it a try.
If Bigg boss was looking for a common man why was there an audition for it? Were you told to act or play some character?
The audition was purely a lengthy interview where they did a complete prolife of all shortlisted contestants. Remember, I wasn’t the wild card, but I was purely chosen from the common contestants. They asked me about the existing inmates in the house, and about my personal life.
Bigg Boss is the biggest reality show in the country. With Big B as the host, it was imperative that they chose the best contestant among the common men.
You were pretty vociferous in claiming that Vindoo won because he’s rich and his umpteen friends were voting for him. In hindsight, do you think this was a mistake?
No, what I did in the house was simply being myself. I was pretty honest in my views and never shied away from expressing them.
Did your act of throwing away food items in the swimming pool work against you?
I don’t think that had any bearing on the final result. On the contrary, if viewers were really offended by it, I wouldn’t have finished second. Poonamji (Dhillon), like Zulfi Syed in season 2, didn’t commit any blunder and yet she came third. So, good behavior isn’t’ all what the viewers are looking at while deciding their winner.
I’m no God. Look, we all make mistakes. We all get angry.
You exposed Rohit Verma badly. Apparently, back then it was murmured that the two of you have had issues in the past. How true is it?
I knew Rohit because we come from the same industry. Once I’d approached him as a model for his event. Somehow, we could never gel together. However, I hold no grudge against him for this. What happened in Bigg Boss was purely related to the actions in the house.
Is Rohit a fashion designer or a fashion choreographer?
Frankly speaking, I really don’t know. He’s referred by some as fashion designer, whilst some call him choreographer. As said before, our personalities didn’t match. So, we never got know each other well.
Looking back at you’re your stay in Bigg Boss, you gave the impression of being an aspiring star. Apparently, you’ve bagged a film already.
I’m from a small town (Meerut) but I’m not a wannabe. For people like you and me, we don’t get things in our hand; we have to work hard to achieve it. Besides, we need to develop skills to achieve it. I don’t deny that I’m a trained actor since my college days, but that’s not the intention with which I came to Mumbai.
As for the offer, yes, there’s something in hand but it’s immature to talk of it till it actually materializes.
Are you still in touch with Claudia?
We’ve met just 4-5 times after Bigg Boss, and all during social gatherings. I don’t even have her telephone number. We’re just friends.
— Mayur Lookhar / Sampurn Wire
