KARISHMA ON HER LOVE FOR CRICKET
Karishma Kotak talks about why you should watch a live sports event and how she took time to get used to being on live shows
I like to dress up but hosting is more than just being glamourous, as it will only take one so far. We should be good at our jobs. KARISHMA KOTAK, HOSTACTOR
Apopular face on television, Karishma Kotak, who has been hosting various sports related events including the Indian Premier League and the Karnataka Premier League, says she is happy to be a part of various cricket leagues. “Watching any sports live and feeling the electric energy in the air is an unbelievable experience. I think you should watch at least one sporting event live in your life. I love watching and discussing cricket. Who’d have thought that I’d become an expert in cricket commentary? I love my job and am blessed to get such an opportunity. I am not very rigid in my mind and don’t think that I will only do certain things in life. What keeps me going is the people I work with, the commentators, the crowd, the experiences I have at various stadiums, the atmosphere and interviewing cricketers from around the world. That is amazing.” Karishma admits that she hasn’t played cricket ever though. She says, “I want to change that and give it a shot. I have held a bat and, of course, discussed everything about the game on live TV, so the only thing left for me to do is play the game (laughs). I love being on live TV, though initially I was a bit nervous about it. But soon I overcame it and began enjoying myself. I also love hosting segments for big-ticket award shows, including the HT Most Stylish 2018.” Currently, hosting a show with former Indian cricketer Ajit Agarkar, the model-turned-host has also anchored a reality show and a travel show, as well as participated in the reality show Bigg Boss in 2012.
Women hosts are usually looked upon as glamour figures but that doesn’t affect Karishma. “I like to dress up but it is more than just being glamourous, as it will only take one so far. We should be good at our jobs. Especially when it comes to live TV, one can’t get away with not knowing the intricacies of the game,” she says.
She also made her way into movies with a Punjabi film Kaptaan (2016), a guest appearance in Freaky Ali (2016) and is currently shooting a film with Karan Singh Grover. “I had an amazing time working with Nawazuddin Siddiqui in Freaky Ali and one of the biggest stars in Punjab, Gippy Grewal in Kaptaan. I have had a good time acting in these movies and don’t find it difficult but I prefer hosting and live interactions. I never thought I would be hosting, so perhaps it is something I enjoy more. But, having said that, I feel blessed to be getting movie offers.”