Jogi co-writer and The Broken News actress Sukhmani Sadana has currently taken up a new assignment — to be a cricket show presenter. The actor-writer is currently hosting The IPL 2023 Hangout on the Jio Cinema mobile app along with tennis ace Sania Mirza, stand-up comedian Danish Sait and a few others. Sukhmani shares her experience on becoming an in-studio cricket show host for the first time and juggling different kinds of assignments.
The Telegraph Online: How thrilled are you to become a cricket show host? How did you prepare for your new assignment?
Sukhmani Sadana: I was very, very excited. I was super stressed when I auditioned for it. I had kept my fingers crossed as this was something that I had been wanting so badly. As an anchor and a TV presenter, I have done so many shows and tons of live events but there’s nothing bigger than hosting the IPL. It’s the most-watched sporting event in India. My audition went well. I had to go through the dry run and practice sessions as the whole experience was new for me. One gets bored doing the same thing, so it was nice to do a new thing. The process was a grilling one, but it was absolutely worth it.
Hangout is a lifestyle show, which comes before the matches start. It’s a candid show that makes cricket conversation easy. Commentating live isn’t my forte. I am at the studios. A lot of cricketers have come to our show, such as Zahir Khan, Robin Uthappa, Parthiv Patel and RP Singh. Then, there was Sunil Grover, Aditya Roy Kapur, Veda Krishnamurthy, and Reema Malhotra, and a lot of people will be coming in the next two months.
How are you dividing your time between writing, acting and anchoring?
Sukhmani Sadana: Honestly, it’s tough! Last year, I shot about four to five web series simultaneously. They released one after the other and I was part of the promotions. I was also writing a web series and a film for Netflix. It was getting chaotic. But then the universe is wonderful because it so happened that when this IPL project came to me, one of my writing projects got over, so I decided not to take another writing project till it’s over. Season 2 of two of my shows will start in June-July, so it works well as I have less writing and acting work till IPL is finished.
Are you a cricket enthusiast? Who are your favourite cricketers?
Sukhmani Sadana: Yes, I have been a cricket enthusiast. It’s unlikely to not know about cricket if you are born in India. (Smiles) When I was growing up, I remember watching so many matches with my family. We had fewer entertainment options in Amritsar as we didn’t have much to do other than hang out with family and neighbours. When the TV came home, cricket was the most-watched programme in my house. Watching travel shows inspired me to become an anchor. Currently, I am following a lot of cricket to stay updated. When Sachin Tendulkar played, my entire family supported him. In the last few years, Virat Kohli is someone I like. Also, MS Dhoni is my favourite and Chennai Super Kings is the one I root for. Punjab Kings is still my favourite team as I am from the state.
What do you do to stay fit during hectic schedules?
Sukhmani Sadana: Being fit is of utmost importance. If I don’t work out, I feel lethargic. So I work out for myself because it makes me feel happy. I do it four days a week whenever I get time. I like taking care of myself. It’s very important to feel good and sleep for seven to eight hours. One should either swim or get a massage or take steam for the wellness of the physique.
Looking good is very crucial when you are presenting a show of this scope. How are you upping the glam quotient?
Sukhmani Sadana: I wanted to keep it glam yet relatable. I didn’t want to wear red-carpet gowns on the show because it’s candid conversations on a couch in a cosy air-conditioned room. It’s a casual, chic look.
