You remember her for her cutesy role in the series Shararat and later as the host of Comedy Circus. But what's fresh at the top of our minds is her controversial tweet about #SelfieWithDaughter that made headlines everywhere. Well, that's about to change because Shruti Seth is back with a bang with the new showComedy Nights Bachao, and this time she is not just a host. Yes, there's more to this lady of steel. We caught up with the actress and got her to reveal more about her new role, her Twitter controversy and why she will never be a participant on Bigg Boss (ahem).
You are back with this new series Comedy Nights Bachao. Tell us about your role in the show.
This time I am not hosting the show but I am a participant in Comedy Nights Bachao. There are various teams in the show and I am paired opposite Pakistani comedian Shakeel Siddiqui. He has been part of many seasons of Comedy Circus earlier. I have been paired with him because we've shared a certain on-screen chemistry in the past. He is a very talented stand-up comedian and as this is the first time I will perform as a comedian, it's great to have him as a partner. He can save me if I make any mistake.
This time I am not hosting the show but I am a participant in Comedy Nights Bachao. There are various teams in the show and I am paired opposite Pakistani comedian Shakeel Siddiqui. He has been part of many seasons of Comedy Circus earlier. I have been paired with him because we've shared a certain on-screen chemistry in the past. He is a very talented stand-up comedian and as this is the first time I will perform as a comedian, it's great to have him as a partner. He can save me if I make any mistake.
You have switched from hosting to stand-up comedy. What do you find more difficult?
Stand-up comedy is much more daunting and demanding than hosting. I do not undermine the job of an anchor. They are the ones who hold the show together. At various live events, the host is the person who would fix things if they go wrong. Having said that, anchoring on television is different from live events. On-screen you get a chance to edit errors and you have a teleprompter to help you remember the lines, but in stand-up comedy, you need to memorise your whole act. We have to act the whole skit in a single take, which can be difficult at times. In the end, I'd say both involve a fair amount of hard work.
Stand-up comedy is much more daunting and demanding than hosting. I do not undermine the job of an anchor. They are the ones who hold the show together. At various live events, the host is the person who would fix things if they go wrong. Having said that, anchoring on television is different from live events. On-screen you get a chance to edit errors and you have a teleprompter to help you remember the lines, but in stand-up comedy, you need to memorise your whole act. We have to act the whole skit in a single take, which can be difficult at times. In the end, I'd say both involve a fair amount of hard work.
Being a mother, does stand-up comedy take more of your energy? How do you balance your work and ?
The reason why I decided to be a part of this show was that it's the same team I have worked with before. They are well aware that I am a mother and hence, they have been really kind in accommodating my schedule and preferences. I chose to do the show only when I was convinced that the entire work commitment would not take a toll on my mommy duties. It's convenient as they help me rehearse and shoot first, so that I can finish up quick and spend time with my child.
If given a choice what would you prefer to do, host shows or perform as a stand-up comedian?
That's a difficult choice to make. I hope I never have to make this choice. If I keep my convenience in mind, I would prefer hosting shows. But if I want to do more challenging role, then it would be stand-up comedy.
That's a difficult choice to make. I hope I never have to make this choice. If I keep my convenience in mind, I would prefer hosting shows. But if I want to do more challenging role, then it would be stand-up comedy.
Now that you are trying new things, will we see Shruti in a daily soap drama?
Honestly, I cannot afford to do a daily soap. I do not have so much time. A daily show consumes about 25 days in a month. That will make it very difficult for me to balance things. At a later stage when Alina (her daughter) goes to school and is a little more independent, I would think of doing a daily soap. But currently it's not possible.
Honestly, I cannot afford to do a daily soap. I do not have so much time. A daily show consumes about 25 days in a month. That will make it very difficult for me to balance things. At a later stage when Alina (her daughter) goes to school and is a little more independent, I would think of doing a daily soap. But currently it's not possible.
Did the whole Twitter controversy have any effect on your career?
(Laughs) I really want to tell those kind and nice people on Twitter, that it's not where the casting happens. Just saying! A tweet does not ensure a career. It's the years of hard work that ensure a career and profession. I got this show on my own merit and equation with people I have worked with over the years. A single tweet cannot get you work on Indian television.
(Laughs) I really want to tell those kind and nice people on Twitter, that it's not where the casting happens. Just saying! A tweet does not ensure a career. It's the years of hard work that ensure a career and profession. I got this show on my own merit and equation with people I have worked with over the years. A single tweet cannot get you work on Indian television.
There are several rumours of your being a possible inmate for the upcoming season of Bigg Boss. Are you a part of it?
I don't know who is spreading these rumours. I have been reading about it. As far as I am concerned, I will never be a part of Bigg Boss. It is a no for life. It will never happen. I know you should never say never, but there are certain things you are sure of and this is one of them. I think that it takes tremendous courage for people to disconnect from the normal life, be locked in a house with strangers, and go through hours of torture. I am a very emotionally weak person and I will not be able to survive there. I would die in the house. Now that I am a mother and have a baby, even a thousand wild horses could not keep me away from her. So it's a sureshot no!
I don't know who is spreading these rumours. I have been reading about it. As far as I am concerned, I will never be a part of Bigg Boss. It is a no for life. It will never happen. I know you should never say never, but there are certain things you are sure of and this is one of them. I think that it takes tremendous courage for people to disconnect from the normal life, be locked in a house with strangers, and go through hours of torture. I am a very emotionally weak person and I will not be able to survive there. I would die in the house. Now that I am a mother and have a baby, even a thousand wild horses could not keep me away from her. So it's a sureshot no!
source: idiva
