She began her career as a choreographer and then moved into film direction with aplomb. A full-time mother of three, Farah Khan is back in a new avatar as a talk show host for Tere Mere Beach Mein that is being aired on Star Plus.
How do you manage shows, films, choreography and your three babies?
(Sighs) Don’t ask. I still haven’t progressed with my film script. There’s a lot more that I would like to do but at the same time I’m happy to spend time with my children.
Did you ever think that your life would take such a turn and you would be straddling roles as a career woman and a homemaker?
(Laughs) Actually, I never ever dreamt that my life would go through a period of so many changes. I’m also very happy with my new show Tere Mere Beach Mein right now and to know that it is doing well makes me even more proud. The original idea was to focus on regular people and not bring in any celebrities. But the channel [Star Plus] requested me to bring in the celebrity element and I must say we’ve managed to create a unique show.
Your show is split into two segments and includes interviews with celebrities and non-celebrities every week. Some of them are heart-wrenching stories and often even the celebrities on the show end up crying. How do you manage to stay so composed?
I’ve been on reality shows as a judge before and often cried my heart out. However, on this show, I’m a mediator of sorts. It’s not easy, especially because I relate very easily to some of the people — non celebrities — who come on the show. I’ve grown up the hard way too, in a completely middle-class set up where we too struggled for basic needs including money.
Having tasted so much success in the industry, isn’t it difficult to relate to all the glitz and glamour then?
Sometimes, it is. But that’s the reason why a show like Tere Mere Beach Mein becomes crucial. It shows you a side of actors that you may have not seen before. Personally speaking, I’ve seen enough ups and downs and that’s a reason why I won’t ever let success go to my head. As for those in the glamour industry, yes, I’ve seen success change some people. But I don’t fret because I know that two flop films in the future will ensure that they come back to mother earth.
Your show is getting increasingly noticed for its unusual pairing of guests. How do you manage that?
Every episode in Tere Mere Beach Mein revolves around a theme, a story. I don’t want people to treat it as a platform to promote their forthcoming films. So, actor Priyanka Chopra and boxer Vijendra Singh gelled well because they both emerged from small towns of India. We decide on the theme and then pick the guests.
Who else will come to grace Tere Mere Beach Mein in the forthcoming episodes?
Kareena Kapoor and Imran Khan will be paired together to talk about love in today’s generation. Karan Johar and Sonam Kapoor will talk about weight issues. Then, you’ll see Abhay Deol and Neil Nitin Mukesh talking about a new wave of cinema and soon we’ll have other guests like John Abraham and Hrithik Roshan too.
How do you manage to keep your cool despite a hectic schedule?
I’ll tell you a secret. From 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm, every day, my children and I take a nap. It’s a must or I would go completely crazy.
