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Stand-up comedian Bharti Singh who won the Dadasaheb Phalke Film Foundation Award for Best Female Comedian returns as the host of India’s Got Talent.
"I am very happy to be associated with the show again," says Bharti, who shares the stage this season with television actor Nakul Mehtra (Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha).
She says Nakul is a "cool guy but a serious host, while I am the fun element of the show."
She often becomes emotional about the contestants because she knows what it feels like to be on the other side.
"I went through the same process six years ago, after my audition in Amritsar, when I was participating in the comedy show, The Great Indian Laughter Challenge."
She says any show on television would be incomplete without comedy, "so I am truly blessed. I get paid to do what I am interested in doing."
India’s Got Talent has participants from different walks of life and, since she has a good equation with the judges too, there is much to look forward to.
"Karan Johar treats me like his sister so I have given him the responsibility of my marriage," she smiles.
"And Kirronji (Kirron Kher) is like my mummy on the sets. She keeps telling me not to do splits, fearing that I might sprain a leg.
"Malaika Ma’am (Malaika Arora Khan) is like my elder sister; she advises me on what to eat and what not to eat."
Looking back at her own journey in the world of entertainment, she says, "When I came to Mumbai with my mother six years ago for The Great Indian Laughter Challenge, my uncles were not in favour of my decision. I lost my father when I was two years old. Now, the same people are yearning to speak to me.
"When I meet them, they shower me with blessings. I give them the same respect that I used to give them before."
Bharti used to be a national level rifle shooter. As a student, her fees were waived because she represented her college in rifle shooting. Later, she had to stop participating in the sport because she could not afford a rifle.
Today, she holds an MA degree in history. She can afford a rifle but doesn’t have the time for the sport any more.
"I used to fast during Navratri to excel in shooting. I guess I forgot to mention to God which shooting," she says cheekily.
The 28-year-old has been offered many roles in films -- including one with Akshay Kumar -- but, as of now, "I am happy doing television and live shows. I do at least four or five stage shows a month. Why should I go for the big screen when all the movie stars, from Amitabh Bachchan to Madhuri Dixit, are coming on television?" she asks.
The proud owner of an Audi and a Mercedes Benz, Bharti’s ambition is to own a Rolls Royce. What about hosting her own show, like Kapil Sharma does?
"Kapil Sharma, Rajeev Nigam, Sudesh Lehri and Chandan are my teachers. They used to teach me drama and stage acts in college youth festivals. It will take a lot of of time for me to become like them. I am still at the learning stage," says Bharti modestly.