THANUJA STARTS
Sri Lanka’s first Cash Taxi reality ride
Concepts of television reality programmes are more often designed based on social trends that emerge from time to time. The theory behind this is the ultimate objective to woo audiences to live, feel and relate to the television reality experience. Taxi or cab services have today gripped the lives of people globally, so much so that successful television reality shows conceptualised with taxis have surfaced in many countries. In Sri Lanka, Cash Taxi is the very first television reality show in this genre. By now the country knows that Cash Taxi is the only cab that takes you on a free ride and also pays you, if you are wise enough.
This cab – CASH TAXI – randomly picks up unsuspecting customers who book a cab, and take them on an unforgettable journey during which they are peppered with some simple general knowledge questions. The host and driver (Madam !) of this Cash Taxi is none other than small screen’s biggest brand name Thanuja Jayawardana who brings this novel TV experience on ITN every Saturday at 6 pm. Adapted from a British original, this reality TV show on wheels has been structured to suit Sri Lankan audiences who have already embraced the programme wholeheartedly. “This is a globally popular reality segment, but for Sri Lanka it is a new experience. Initially I was a bit hesitant when I was offered this task, but later I decided I should take it up. This is just like an actor taking up various characters to showcase his talents. I have donned various roles as a television presenter and host, but I must tell you this is a different experience and hectic one too,” Thanuja told Daily Mirror Life Impulse.
HOW’S THE OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE WITH ‘CASH TAXI’?
There are times we get irritated with three wheeler drivers who give us a hard time on the roads, violating traffic rules. But after the very first episode of Cash Taxi I decided that I am not going to feel bad about three wheeler drivers because I experienced first hand how hard and arduous it is to manoeuvre Colombo city traffic in the sweltering heat. The job of a taxi driver is not an easy task. Cash Taxi made me realise it.
WHAT’S THE SPECIALITY IN THIS SEGMENT?
What upsets me most in this Cash Taxi segment is that, I have to drop the clients at any point when they fail to answer three questions I ask them. This is so embarrassing and hurtful but I can’t help it because it is part of the programme’s concept. But the best part is that passengers accept it in good spirit.
WE SAW CRICKET STARS MAHELA & SANGAKKARA ALSO JOINING CASH TAXI?
Well, working with Mahela and Sangakkara was a wonderful experience in my career. I watched how people were stunned and stuck in awe when they saw Mahela and Sanga up close in real life. They even forget about the cash prizes they had won.
ANY UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE?
Most people, excluding my close friends, are unaware that I am very poor in remembering roads. I may have driven through a road a 100 times but still I tend to forget them. Some of my close friends tease me saying I might take Cash Taxi passengers to some unknown destinations. I work with a caring and thoughtful Cash Taxi production team. There are times I take the right turn when the production van trailing me wants me to turn left. But they are so flexible, making life easy for me.
“I watched how people were stunned and stuck in awe when they saw Mahela and Sanga up close in real life”