EXCLUSIVE! Sachiin Kumbhaar Reveals Why He Took Up Role In Short Film 'Tu Chal Main Aaya'

1. Sachiin, congratulations on the release of your short film 'Tu Chal Main Aaya'! Can you tell us about your role in the film and what drew you to this project?

My role in the film is of a life insurance agent from the outskirts of Mumbai. He is from the lower middle class who is a dreamer and hustler. Like every human, he has big dreams that he wants to realise. The biggest challenge was that the character is exactly opposite of what I am in real life. He is an underdressed man and on the other hand, I am always decked up with my hair done right for shows or any outing. So exactly opposite of what I am in real life. For me, to get out of my comfort zone and do something which is not me would be a challenge and I wanted to do that. Also, it's a Maharashtrian character and somewhere deep down, I am that 'Marathi Mulga' even if I host in English and Hindi. It was a challenge and completely opposite of my real personality. So, I thought of going ahead and giving it a shot.

2. Your Instagram shows a vibrant glimpse into your life. How do you balance your professional commitments with your personal interests and hobbies?

Let's be honest. Social media only shows the good things. Yes, my life is vibrant but everyone's life has a downside as well and I do showcase that as and when needed. I do speak about a lot about the realities because the younger generation often gets swayed away seeing the life on social media. I take my one small step to show the real world as well. There are troubles as well but yes, all thanks to God, I have had a vibrant life. I do take out time to balance. I don't work on festivals like Diwali, Ganpati etc because consciously, I have taken that decision. These are the times you want to spend with your special ones and that's why you work throughout the year. I work out everyday. I love skiing, swimming, dancing, singing. I am learning classical right now in fact. So yes, I do take out time for myself. Only if I am able to keep myself happy will I be able to keep my surroundings happy.

3. You have been the face of Prokabaddi for the past 8 seasons and have anchored the Khelo India Youth Games. What do you enjoy most about hosting sports events?

It's a great question and a great day to be asked this question. Just a while back, India Hockey team made it to the semi-finals and it's a proud moment for all of us. Yes, I started my career hosting for Hockey in 2014 and that's how, Pro Kabaddi & Khelo India happened. The most exciting thing about sports is that it's live. Everything is live and real and that's why the adrenaline rush is intense. There's no recording and you are live when you have 2-3 talking in your 'in ear'. That's the most interesting challenge. To have achieved seamless shows without fumbling or errors has been my biggest achievement.

4. Hosting events for major corporations like Abbott India, Loreal, and Reliance General Insurance is impressive. How do you tailor your approach when anchoring such diverse events?

As an anchor, one needs to modulate and have a different presentation style. One needs to be flexible and not rigid in their approach. There are events that need energy where as, there are also events that need a certain amount of poise and I give in that poise. There are also events like the TOI Fresh Face which is very upbeat because the audience is of 16-17 years old average age. If I talk in a very serious tone there, they will boo me away. It's been about 11 years that I have been hosting the national finale and it gives me immense pleasure and pride that I am able to do that even now and match up to their energies and standards. One has to change his presentation as per the content and brand and their way of positioning. You can't have that approach where you are like "This is how I am and this is how I am going to talk." That doesn't work here.

5. Your voice is a major part of your brand, especially as a voice-over artist for popular shows like Bigg Boss and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. How do you maintain and train your voice for such demanding work?

Yes, voice is a major part of my brand and I do realise it. It's genetics and I owe it to my dad. I have gotten it from him so I thank the almighty, my parents and there specially him for that. I don't really any 'riyaz' besides my classical training. That does help your voice to open up better. But yes, I do control. But yes, anyone who wants to pursue this as a career, it's important to be disciplined and give up a few things. I don't eat anything which is too much oily. I don't binge on ice and I don't have any ice-cold stuff. I do take care of my voice and whenever I am in cold countries, I do use things like muffler etc. So yes, I do treasure it. But I don't make it completely delicate or handicap it. Just like how you go to the gym to train your voice to be tougher, you train your voice as well for anything and everything.

6. You've hosted events for major streaming platforms such as Prime Video, Netflix, and Disney Plus Hotstar. How has the rise of digital platforms impacted your career as an anchor and voice-over artist?

Pandemic changed the whole game. Before pandemic, I used to host for Disney Plus Hotstar. Then it moved online and eventually hybrid. Online changed things for me rapidly. Digital platforms like zoom and other platforms completely changed the dynamics of anchoring for me. Work just multiplied, I don't know how and I am grateful. All the OTT platforms have exposed me to more and more actors, directors, singers, Production houses and that definitely widened my horizon. So, I would definitely like to thank these wonderful platforms for helping me enhance my brand even further.

7. Having anchored high-profile fashion events like Femina Miss India and Miss Diva Universe, what challenges do you face in such glamorous settings, and how do you overcome them?

Yes, pageants are the toughest but they are also my go-to comfort zone. No matter how complicated it is, I will still figure out my way. Things like Miss India, Miss Universe, when I was hosting Malaika Arora, Harnaaz Sandhu or when I did solo as well, I love it. I love 'glam' and as soon as I put on a tuxedo, I feel there's a different 'me'. There are complications and till the time you absolutely don't own up a show, you will not be able to overcome any challenges. I believe if you don't own the show and be well-rehearsed, it's difficult. From figuring out entries and exits to understanding when I need to come in and do my parts etc, there are 50 things that happen simultaneously and you need to be on top of your game everywhere. So, till the time you don't really own the show and understand every bit of it, it's difficult to overcome any sort of challenge.

8. Spontaneity, intelligence, and wit are often highlighted as your strengths. Can you share an instance from your career where these traits helped you handle an unexpected situation during an event?

Thank you so much for the compliments. Yes, it's also experience now that has clubbed spontaneity, intelligence and wit. All that comes handy to me. Many times, especially during press conferences, there are times when a start would take up the whole show and I am warned about in advance. But as an anchor, you need to have the art to make your way through things and bring things back to the way you want and as per how it needs to be to get the actor back on track. It takes a lot but yes, there's one thing you need to train your brain. No matter how big the actor is, he or she is also a human. Yes, certainly the person might be a senior but as a host, you can't be intimidated by anyone. They are doing their job and we are doing our job diligently and that's how I handle different situations. Many times, I have also been told that the concerned actor will not let me talk. However, I have seen to it that I comfort the actor beforehand and also on stage because they are the stars of the show. We need to put them on the pedestal but at the same time, we need to have the control over the show. That's how, I look at things and that's what my perspective towards the whole thing is.