Talking Point With Tisco Chopra

Are there any ground rules by which you will be judging them?
On their ability to respond to rapidly changing scenarios of the world and also being able to think on their feet. They need to have a keen understanding of world affairs and a decent appearance that’s suited for Indian television.

Have you been a keen follower of reality shows? If yes,which ones do you enjoy?
I quite like the quality of singers on Indian Idol 5. I watch it whenever I can along with my husband. But reality television is embarrassing at times.

After being successful on the big screen,what prompted you to return to television?
I have just completed a few films and this show is on a short-term basis. It is a one-off thing,and is an opportunity to travel around the country and meet the youth. Since television is widelywatched,Anchor Hunt will be a big hit. The contestants were a riot. I laughed so much that they had to stop shooting at least a couple of times a day. If the channel shows all the footage,the show will have the highest TRPs ever.

Are you open to soap operas at this stage of your career?
I really don’t have the time for fiction on TV. Also,the quality is quite depressing. Women weeping copiously is so not my thing.

Films seem to have taken a backseat for you after Taare Zameen Par and Firaaq.
I’ve been working hard all of last year and the results will be out this year. A comedy film titled Rangeen has been ready for a while. A psychological thriller,404,is up next. And then there is Khushiyaan,a film set in Punjab. Audiences may get quite sick of seeing me in 2010.

Did the success of your films make you picky about roles?
That’s exactly what I am doing. Taare Zameen Par and Firaaq succeeded in different ways—one commercially,the other critically. So there’s an expectation from me to do good work. But more importantly I am unable to digest bad scripts.

What kind of roles do you aspire to do in future?
I’m always greedy for more. I want to play a queen and a beggar,a shrew and a beauty parlour owner,an alcoholic,a failed movie star,a politician. There are just so many roles I am keen to play.

Are you also keen on participating in reality shows or anchoring them?
Anchoring would be nice,but in general,I am not big on reality television. I find it way too voyeuristic.