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Juhi Chawla: Badmash Company is a sunshine kinda show
Actress Juhi Chawla, who is hosting a kid's chat-show Badmaash Company -- Ek Shararat Hone Ko Hai says the show takes her back to her childhood days, as also the upbringing of her own children.
The show premiered on September 17 on Colors channel. The actress speaks to Rajul Hegde about the show
What made you do a kid's chat show?
I liked the presentation of the show. Also, it's challenging because it's a kids show. It has different segments, which is entertaining. One is a fun and relaxed interview with kids while in another children are put into certain situations and filmed on hidden cameras.
There's also a quiz in which kids and their parents face-off. The best part about the show is nothing is scripted and whatever you see is their original reaction. So it's really hilarious. It's a sunshine kind of show --you could watch it in the worst of moods and it will make you happy.
One of the funniest segments is hosted by my co-anchor Shourya Watwani. He is eight years old, goes out on the street and randomly asks general knowledge questions to adults.
It's really funny when they don't know the answers and at that moment, as an audience, you will also start checking your own GK (general knowledge).
'I was like... why did I step into this?'
The show is said to be on the lines of Anupam Kher's Say Na Something to Anupam Uncle.
I have seen the show in parts, where Anupam strikes up a serious conversation with kids who are older.
In my show the kids are much younger and we didn't go beyond the age where the kids are conditioned by the outside world. It's amazing how kids think and respond.
They may not even know the meanings of words, like 'crush' and 'date', but they still end up using them in the right situations. The kids are spontaneous and do something that is totally unexpected.
Was it challenging to get the best out of them?
I was like 'why did I step into this'? Some kids are talkative or shy and to draw out the funny moments is a challenge. Everything they say will not be bratty or lovely.
Sometimes they will say things like adults. That's not what you want to know. So you take them to areas that they are familiar with and then they will say something which is unusual.
'Shooting for the show was frustrating at times'
How did you handle over-smart kids?
There are times when the kids suddenly go out of the act. While I am talking to one kid, another kid will suddenly start shouting. In such cases we take a break, calm down, and get back to the shoot. I enjoyed doing the show, though at times it was frustrating.
Are you a strict mom to your kids?
At times I am. My kids are also naughty, but mostly well behaved (smiles).
Did you draw on personal experience?
Not directly, but, yes, I there was some familiarity with the kids because my children are also of a similar age.
'My kids haven't seen any of my films'
Did you think of bringing your own kids on the show?
It did cross my mind but I thought how can I get them on my show? Suppose they say something about me that I don't want others to know? It was a tricky one.
Sometimes kids let out things about their parents that are funny. On the show I asked this little girl a simple question like what her mom calls her dad, and she says, 'oh hero.' I collapsed laughing; it was so unexpected. The parents were on set and they were embarrassed. It seems the father works in Bangalore and the mother and daughter live in Mumbai and this is how their romance goes on the phone.
What did your husband (Jai Mehta) have to say about the show?
I showed him the edit. He liked Shourya's portion the best.
What do your children watch on TV?
They watch Discovery, Animal Planet, Sports and Cartoons. My in-laws watch all the serials. My kids have not seen any of my films.