11 March,2021 09:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Nikita Wagh
Mandir Bedi, Siddharth Kannan (All pictures/PR)
It is going to be one year since the Covid-19 nationwide lockdown was clamped last year. What was once necessary during the coronavirus crisis is now the new normal. Just like actors, sportspersons, singers, hoteliers, among others, for most of the presenters and anchors, this new normal has changed how they do their jobs in so many ways. Instead of the hustle and bustle of the newsroom, the madness of the live shows, anchors are working from home and conducting interviews/shows over Facetime, Skype and Zoom.
But many personalities have set up studios in home basements, libraries, even hallways with assembled backdrops and a skeletal crew at times. Necessity they say is the mother of invention in this case if not invention at least innovation has made its way into the live event space, an industry that is amongst the worst hit by the virus.
Here are five popular anchors/presenters who adapted and readapted to the new normal:
Mandira Bedi, an actress, fashion designer, and television presenter, says, "Often while raising curtains at on-ground live shows, I used to talk to my audiences about how it's not just about survival of the fittest but the survival of the redefined. With everything almost happening online, I had to testify to my self-formulated adage. Since I was an early starter in this transition era, I managed the transit smoothly with the help of my clients and also viewers, yes! Feedbacks have always been paramount to me. From using a light bulb at the dawn of virtual events in lockdown to gradually owning a professional virtual speaking set-up, the adaptation ride for me hasn't been too bumpy. If that sounds like an unusual take, allow me to tell you the âwhy'. The core of my job still remains the same, that is, to establish âConnect' with my Audiences. The other changes that the virtual world proffers are manageable crests and troughs."
Kavea R Chavali, who has been dabbling across industries, has hosted 1400 shows across 15 countries and close to 800 brands. A fireside chat or a debate, a product launch or a panel discussion, an award presentation to an evening soiree where million dollars ideas are exchanged or deals signed, she wields the microphone, anchoring high profile corporate events and setting the stage for business behemoths to take over. During the pandemic, she had the opportunity to host shows and moderate discussions with the likes of Shri Nandan Nilekani, Bill Gates, Narayana Murthy and many more. Kavea says, "Conversations in the new normal allowed us to harness the power of technology yet keep the engagement quotient high. While we all started off with the adjusting of the ring lights, setting up the backdrop and mic, this experience of adapting to a home studio was initially unnerving but truly exciting. Yes, it does get a little tricky to assess the 'Audience Pulse' virtually however the âComment Section' helps. Prior dry runs and rapport-building with celebrity guests/speakers is pivotal since there's no actual meeting them."
The young girl who made her way into B-Town with 2016's much-anticipated flick Neerja, followed by Fanney Khan, has hosted more than 1500 shows and says, "I have learned something with every show; how to connect better with the audience and make them be in the moment as best. But this whole 'adapting to the new normal' thing has been a new and thrilling experience for me. It is more exhausting compared to the live audience show. I have dovetailed skills to focus on the art of sounding natural on-screen by memorizing, using a Teleprompter or naturally glancing through self-made pointers."
Siddharth Kannan, Television and radio host, announcer, voice-over actor and film critic, says, "The magic of live experiences is irreplaceable but keeping the pandemic in mind, the experiential industry transitioned into a new normal. Adding further, he said, "The setup is a little more complicated and the biggest concern is lighting the makeshift set, getting stable internet and confidence (laughs) because not only do we have to find ways of making sure, that the business continues with the least disruption, but also we need to do it in a safe and secure manner."
With over 10 years of theatre experience, 4 international feature films, 100s of corporate events and dozens of Indian TV commercials to her name, Frieshia is blessed to do what she loves doing. From working with stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Sachin Tendulkar, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Priyanka Chopra, Shilpa Shetty, Katrina Kaif and Salman Rushdie, to have interviewed global CEOs and launched some of the most popular products in the market worldwide, she has done it all. Talking about adapting to the new change, she said, "It doesn't matter whether it's for on-ground or virtual, I have a natural flair of picking up the right points and keeping the momentum going at the event. I have been keeping the online spotlight game strong because creating more impactful connections through screen requires innovations in icebreaking and brevity of content altogether. And to make the distracted audience 'listen', I don't over-aim, I stick to my own persona and so far it has helped me hosting in these unanticipated times that we're all in."
