She's just arrived!

TELEVISION DEBUT

Now, every day of the week, you can watch a Bollywood star entertain you in the comfort of your living room. You have Madhuri Dixit judging dance moves in Jhalak Dikhlaa Jaa, Urmila Matondkar doing the same on Chak Dhoom Dhoom or Shah Rukh Khan entertaining us in Zor Ka Jhatka. What wasn’t considered even as an option earlier is being used today by Bollywood stars to reach out to more audiences and, of course, earn more money!

It was Amitabh Bachchan who started it with Kaun Banega Crorepati and now the latest star to descend on the small screen is Preity Zinta! Known for her versatile roles and cute dimples, Preity is making her debut in the television industry with the Guinness Book Of World Records — Ab India Todega to be telecast on Colors. “India is a huge storehouse of talent and an international platform like Guinness Book of World Records is perfect to showcase that,” says Preity.

The actress has been away from the limelight for a couple of years and this will be her comeback vehicle. Is she a part of this show? Preity says, “I have always been fond of adventure. Indians have always been adventurous by nature and this show celebrates that spirit. I am proud to be associated with this show. Guinness Book of World Records – Ab India Todega will prove that a common man can do a lot of uncommon things.”

The actress admits that she agreed to do the show only because the makers of the show – Miditech – were willing to adjust the shooting dates to her schedule. “From April, I will be busy with my IPL commitments, but thankfully, this show is not clashing with that event,” says Preity.

Most Bollywood celebrities are hosting shows on television. Beyond a certain point, their antics become a tad boring, and the ‘surprises’ are predictable. Also, Preity has to compete with a lot of her predecessors who have made an indelible mark on the small screen audiences — Salman Khan in Dus Ka Dum, Amitabh Bachchan in Kaun Banega Crorepati. How will she carve her own niche? “An anchor for this type of a show should always be encouraging and should ensure that the contestants don’t feel the extra pressure while performing any task. I strongly feel that the host should not be hogging the limelight. This show belongs to its participants,” explains Preity.

How was her experience of working on the show? Did she perform any dangerous stunts? Says Preity, “I have been stunned by the participants’ performances in many episodes. We even had participants lying on a bed of nails! And when I am present on the stage, I should not be tense and scared as I should not pass on my anxiety and fear to the participants.”

So, will we see more of her on television now? She admits that doing television shows is a lot more hard work than films. “In the TV industry, shooting is hectic and strenuous. You have to be on your toes for 12 hours, every day. This is very different from shooting for films where you get your space and time,” says Preity.

Whether you like the show or not, you are surely going to fall in love with Preity’s new looks. Mention that to her and she blushes. “In the last couple of years, I focused a lot on my IPL team and was running around from pillar to post in a pair of jeans and the team jersey! Now, when I decided to make a comeback, I thought of getting back into shape,” she quips.

‘Guinness Book of World Records – Ab India Todega’ premieres on March 18. It will be aired every Friday and Saturday, at 9 pm, on Colors.