‘The reality show is my identity’

Jay Bhanushali started his hosting career with a dance reality show in 2009 and since then has been a regular host on the show and its spin-offs. “Like Salman Khan is known for Bigg Boss, I am known for my dance reality show. The reality show is my identity. Wherever I go, people talk to me about the show. Hosting the show is like a government job. I will never leave it,” quips Jay, who admits that he never takes it for granted that he would inevitably be asked to host the subsequent season or the next spin-off of the reality show.

“I don’t think too much about why the makers and channel ask me to host their reality shows in succession. Why would I? (laughs) Maybe I am their lucky charm. My hosting must have worked for the show which is why I am being repeated. I must be doing something right. Nothing is set in stone and there is a process, and different teams for different spin-offs, and they make their choice according to their needs. It is not a given that I will be hosting every time.” he says.

Earlier this year, the actor hosted two reality shows on two different channels, which is a rare sight. “I was hosting The Voice when I got a call to host Super Dancer. Thankfully, the shows aired on different time slots. I feel lucky to be called upon to host two shows on a weekend. It’s been five months of the year and I have already hosted three reality shows that have kids as participants. I feel great and can’t wait to see what else is in store for me this year,” says Jay.

Jay is an established host on television but he started his career as an actor with the Ekta Kapoor show Kayamath in 2007 and later did movies including Hate Story 2 (2014) and Ek Paheli Leela (2015). Now he admits he wants to act again. “I want to act either in films or TV or web. But I don’t want to act for the sake of it. I want to be part of projects that help me grow and take me to another level. When you do a film, you are committed for a year including shooting and promotions. And if the film doesn’t work, it’s very disappointing. I want a project that will excite me and challenge me. Digital content is an interesting new avenue,” he signs off.

Jay Bhanushali