'Tis the season to be sweet

As it enters its fifth edition, Rendezvous with Simi Garewal is more 'global' than ever.

Simi aunty is back and I am so glad for it. Not the least because of her spanking new hair-cut, which I was keen to check out, having spotted our-lady-in-white sport it in party pictures, but which went mysteriously missing last Sunday.

Simi aunty came with her usual long tresses in yet another white Shahab Durazi outfit, dashing the hopes of all those waiting to catch her new look, apparently quite the subject of conversation in Mumbai. And naturally: First, aunty elicited a collective gasp,ditching white for a pink outfit one evening.

And, then, she had envious ladies-who-lunch whispering rather uncharitably, I must say, that the hair job was only a ploy to take the attention off her recent "treatment", as botox is referred to in polite parlance.

But on Sunday, there was no pink and no new hairstyle, and I, like I said, was disappointed. The fact that she was interviewing John Abraham helped. And now that I am told that Zayed Khan will follow soon, I am definitely happier. Pink or white "" a Star World spokesperson says that the dress code, at least on the sets, is to remain white "" good genes or botox, I am ready to tune into another episode of Rendezvous...

Rendezvous With Simi Garewal, the grandmother of TV chat shows (it started in 1997), has just begun its fifth season, to be aired on Star World now, making it more "global", if you please. "First of all, I can't conduct my interviews in Hindi..." Garewal says, "...and second, Star World has taken my show to every corner of the world."

The actress-turned-anchor has one more reason to be happy. With the new season, she has turned set-designer too. Those who tuned into the first episode would have noticed a change. The trademark pale, candles-flowers-and-soft lights package now comes with a dash of gold "" the sets designed by Garewal.

While that adds some much-needed colour and warmth, the Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai-type video screen that Garewal has used lately "" to make John Abraham's family part of the proceedings in the last episode "" is jarring. Neverthless...

At least, the show itself is nothing like the disastrous Farooque Sheikh-anchored series that grated on my nerves. Though, of course, some would say it is Garewal's interviewing style that grates on many other nerves; her "saccharine" sweetness leaving itself open to much lampooning, not the least by Karan Johar & friends in his talk show that positioned itself as the anti-thesis of all that "Simi aunty" (their words not mine) stands for "" poise, politeness, and the ghostly white!

But whether you love her or hate her, the success of Garewal's show speaks for itself. Yes, she sounds fake "" even to a fan like me. Yes, very often, even her "errors" sound rehearsed "" like the time she called Anil Ambani "alcoholic" instead of "workaholic" in an ostensible, rare slip-of-the-tongue moment.

But what even the worst of her detractors would concede is that regardless of how she does it, few other interviewers manage to engage their guests as much. Give the lady her due, folks. She did manage to make a Rekha cry "" bring several other guests come close to tears too "" and a Jayalalitha sing.

Now, where else have you seen that? Going by the new promos though, the next person to do a spot of impromptu singing is Priyanka Chopra. So keep watching.

P S The new hair-job comes on third episode onwards.

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Q&A

Rendezvous has a new season. Who are some of the interesting guests?

There's John Abraham, Priyanka Chopra, Zayed Khan's family which includes his parents, his sisters, and his wife Mallika. It's wonderful! Then there is Hrithik and Suzzanne and many more.

Is the focus going to be more international now? Or more young people?

Unfortunately it is not that easy for an independent producer to organise international celebrities "" it's usually done by the channels. But this season too has a blend of stars from yesteryears and the new generation.

How do you choose the people you interview?

They have to have charisma. The have to be achievers in their field. They should be articulate, thinking people. Easy on the eye! And there should be a natural curiosity about them that would make viewers want to switch on their sets to watch them. And if they also have an interesting life story to tell, they're perfect for my show.

Who's been the best guest?

Very hard to choose... Let's see... The Bachchan family. Dev Anand (Jaya-ji, that is Jaya Bachchan, thinks the Dev-sahib Rendezvous was the best!). AR Rahman (especially when he played and sang on my show). Imran Khan. Sushmita Sen. There are many more I really enjoyed.

Where is the new hairstyle from?

I decided to go in for a new hair-do after my holiday in London. While there I got my hair styled on the insistence of my sister, Amrita. I've had a lot of really nice feedback to the new hair-look. Frankly, the long hair was pure laziness! No need to set "" just wash 'n' go!

Any change in interviewing style?

The success of Rendezvous can be attributed to the personal touch, sensitivity that I bring on the show and the relationships I share with my guests. This is a result of the in-depth research I undertake to ensure that I understand the histories, baggage and aspirations they come with, but we haven't changed the personal style that is the hallmark of Rendezvous.