"I am focusing on being a good tv host" Mona Singh

Women draped in silken sarees with heavy expensive jewellery may catch your eye but definitely not your heart. Few years ago, one Mona Singh touched most hearts as the ugly-looking Jassi of the award winning show Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin. The Punjabi kudi is soon gearing up for her second innings on the small screen as a host on two shows -- Extraaa Shots and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. Excerpts from a candid chat. You're coming back on tv as an anchor for two programmes but when will we see Mona the actor? It will take some time. Don't get me wrong. I'm not quitting TV. If any good role comes my way, I don't mind doing it. But currently, I am focusing on non-fictional shows. Have you started shooting for Extraaa shots? How's been the experience? Yes, we've stared shooting and I'm enjoying every bit of it. After all, I'm a movie buff myself. Extraa Shots gives me the platform to express my passion for movies. Last year, you won Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. Now you'll be hosting it. Which pair has impressed you the most? The shooting hasn't started yet. I'm looking forward to seeing all of them in action. As of now, they are coming to me for tips. Tips! So, what advice have you passed on to them? I've told them that it's just not about dancing. The key to success is that you should have eye contact with your choreographer and not the audience. Above all, they need to put in more hours for rehearsals. How much time did you devote? I used to rehearse for more than three hours every day. All that effort yielded the desired result. What do you think of your predecessor Mandira Bedi (Extraaa shot)? She did a fantastic job. The viewers will expect a similar effort from me. So, there's pressure on me to live upto their expectations. Which is your favourite movie? My all time favourite films are, Pretty Woman and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Will the channel air your favourite Hindi film? Well, they've shown this movie innumerable times. Currently, we are airing blockbuster movies. So, I'm sure, you'll see it again. Post Jassi, Sony has struggled to produce a hit daily? As its brand ambassador, does that irk you? I'm not the right person to answer this. Indian idol is doing very well. But definitely they need some good daily shows. Do you miss Jassi? I miss it from a different point of view. The fact that I was a part of a very successful show.However, I sincerely believe that the show ended at the right time. Had it continued, we might have ended up showing a 40-year-old Jassi. That would have never been accepted by the viewers and of course me. So, was the show heading for a generational leap? Never. We didn't even think of that. It had its proper ending. I did get very touchy on the last day as my first show was coming to a end. What did you have to say to Karan after his striptease act in Antakshari? I said it's brilliant. If ever you want to have a fan following then it's got to be like this. Girls going crazy for you. Mind you, such a following is ideally suited for males and definitely not for the opposite sex. I was out of station, when this took place. So, it came to me as a pleasant shock. Is marriage on the cards for you anytime soon? No. At the moment, it's just work, work and only work.