Talking to Sameer Kochhar is like watching a 20-over match, more so the IPL version. Quite like the Indian Premier League games, he’s witty (read fun-filled) and like the many stylish stroke players in the franchises, the suave model-actor-host comes up with quick repartees.
Standing on the ground as the captains of the two teams head for a toss before the start of a match, he sounds as upbeat as the boisterous crowd in the stadium, addressing millions of cricket fans sitting glued to the television. The next minute, as the camera switches off, with the mike still in his hand, he heartily waves out to people in the stands calling out his name. The popular anchor seems to be as much a star as the players. That’s the aura of cricket.
This is his eighth year with IPL and he quips in his characteristic baritone, “My association with it has been longer than with my wife. I have been married for just five years.” And then adds with a laugh, “But I value both partnerships. Right now, I have entered a third partnership — with my new-born baby.”
On Extra Innings, the post and pre-game analysis segment on Sony MAX, he says, “I am having a field day — interacting with fans, conversing with senior cricketers and interviewing players. Having been a sports enthusiast from my college days (he used to play football) this is a dream job.”
Does the shorter format of the game require a different skill set when it comes to commentary? “Yes, of course. Since IPL has made cricket entertaining, the commentary scrutinises performances with a dash of fun; information is offered but in a more enjoyable manner, making it easy for even the uninitiated to understand. Besides, commentary here is not just about talking. It’s a lot about music, dance and well-tailored and colour-coordinated clothes. A lot of thought goes into appearance. I have a personal stylist who works on my looks.”
Not just anchors, even former cricketers are turning out in their best. Any wonder that a female host of Extra Innings referred to ex-Pakistani batsman Rameez Raja as “lovely” while speaking to him on the ground. The cricketer later jokingly revealed to Sunil Gavaskar in the studio about how any such compliment post-50 feels good.
As for Sameer, who stole many hearts with his role as Rajat Kapoor in the widely-watched TV serial Bade Achhe Lagte Hain , once IPL wraps up, he will be facing the arclights for his forthcoming films. “I had entered every home across the country with that serial. The response was unbelievable. I was flooded with fan mail. But right now, I am focusing on the big screen till some interesting telly project comes my way,” says Sameer about his next shot at fame.
