'I'm lucky I got away with a lot'

Q&A: Cyrus Sahukar, one of MTV?s star VJs

Cyrus Sahukar, one of MTV’s star VJs, shot into prominence when he did a spoof of Simi Garewal’s show Rendevouz with Simi Garewal. Sahukar is now getting ready to face the camera for the film Ayesha. Produced by Anil Kapoor, it is an Indian adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel Emma. Also on his plate is a new show, All Stars, on the children’s channel Pogo.

You had a bit role in Delhi 6 as a street-smart photographer. What made you say yes to it?
I knew at the outset that my role in the film would be very short. However, I was sure of the character and that’s what appealed to me. I am glad critics have praised my performance as the wannabe photographer who lures his neighbour Bittoo with the promise of making her a superstar in Mumbai while also having an illicit relationship with a married woman.

Are you doing any more films?
I am treading carefully now and that’s the reason for signing just one film, Ayesha, where I work with Sonam Kapoor in her father’s next production. Besides Ayesha, I’m doing MTV’s Kickass Mornings for which the channel bullies me into donning weird outfits and essaying different characters. But I completely love All Stars and Hole in the Wall on Pogo. Both the shows are similar where there are insane games that are played very sportingly by people from different walks of life. It makes me smile to think of a professor screaming madly at winning points in one game. I get great joy in watching the mad, wild side of common people.

You have in the past gotten away with spoofs on talk show hosts, celebrities, politicians and others. Will you do Rendezvous with Semi Garebaal (a spoof on actor and host Simi Garewal’s original show) again?
(Thinks for a bit) It has to be done with a fresh perspective to be done once again. I entered the industry when I was just 19 years old and since then I’ve done a lot of shows and said a lot of stuff — unintentionally — too. I was lucky to get away with it back then and even got applauded. Today, if I repeat some of the stuff that I did earlier, I might get beaten up.