Complete entertainer

Partner plays a role

But can the expectations be fulfilled alone? The last season of the show became extremely popular because of the camaraderie that Paul shared with co-host and stand-up comic Kapil Sharma. Together, they made the Jhalak stage a laughter riot. “Partnerships matter a lot. You have to create the right timing with your co-host. Both Ranvir and I are working to make the show better. It isn’t at all about me or him. It’s about the product and I am sure we will make it better,” he says and adds, “I have just started shooting, but I am sure we would go ahead in the best way. I try to innovate and improvise all the time. Let’s hope even this time I am going to do that.”

God’s gift

Interestingly, his improvisation and promptness is quite popular in the industry. The people associated with his shows bank on him as they know he will work his magic, even without a script. However, he graciously says that it’s God’s gift. “Sometimes when something really hilarious happens on the show, I have to go back and see the shot to realise what actually happened,” he remarks and adds that everything that he does is unplanned. “I don’t go on the stage with pre-conceived notions. The only thing I make sure is that I am in a good mood.”

Comedian vs entertainer

The anchor-actor, however, is ‘tired’ of his comparisons with other stand-up comedians. Manish’s last outing as a host for the comedy show, Mad In India didn’t work well. When asked what makes comedy shows work, he diplomatically replies, “Main toh comedy karta hi nahi hoon, main toh host hoon aur entertain karta hoon.”
He explains further, “If it is about the spontaneity and the comic timing, even Shah Rukh and Saif Ali Khan have it. What do you call them? Certainly not a comedian!”
Paul is very sure that he wants to be known as an actor and entertainer, which is very different from being a stand-up comic. However, considering he has a good comic-timing and a considerable fan following on TV, would he like to do what Kapil has done in Comedy Nights with Kapil?
“Not right now. The kind of level Kapil has touched, it’s idiotic to even think of doing something in the same space. Plus, he is doing well, why not enjoy his show?”

Films galore

While Manish Paul does not want to enter the comedy space on TV, neither does he want to stick to just comedy in his films. He wants to breakaway and take up something different. “In fact I already have a film which is really dark and my role is the film is very different from what I am known for,” he says.
His first film Mickey Virus that released last year may not have tanked, but he is looking forward to a successful stint on the big screen this time around. “Tere Bin Laden 2 is going to be an out and out comedy. I am really looking forward to it,” says the actor, who is also in the process of finalising a rom-com.
With both TV and films beckoning him, Manish seems to be at a great space right now.