Virender Sehwag opens up about making his reality TV debut as the host of Rise and Fall 2

Virender Sehwag

For anyone who grew up watching cricket with family, every player had a familiar stance, a signature shot and a story behind their success. For this reporter, watching Virender Sehwag in action was once a ritual with dad; meeting him years later, as he takes on a new role as the host of Rise and Fall 2, was a full-circle moment. In a chat with mid-day, the former Indian cricketer opens up about his foray into reality TV, why the show's rise-and-fall format is similar to his cricketing journey, and how he plans to handle the drama.

Excerpts from the interview.

Did you refuse to host Rise & Fall 2 when it was first offered to you?
I had hosted the show, Umeed India, where we interviewed a lot of Olympians. But there I was more like a reporter than a host. I had never thought that I would host a show. But when the opportunity came, my first reaction was, ‘No.' [Because] I felt that I might not be able to do it. Then the team explained the concept and showed me some clips. They also told me that I would not have to follow any script or put on a [persona]; I can be Virender Sehwag, exactly as he is. All I had to do was interact with the contestants and give them tasks. I thought I could do this, so I agreed.

The concept seems quite similar to the ups and downs of a cricketer's career. Did that make the format relatable to you?
The struggle of cricket is almost similar, but that's also true of anyone's life. Sometimes you fall, sometimes you rise. My career also has had its ups and downs. After my debut match, I was dropped, then I made a comeback and took the Man of the Match. Then in 2007, I was dropped again, and I still came back, and made a triple century, won a World Cup. Rise and falls keeps going on in life.

You have dealt with locker-room drama. How different do you think it will be to handle drama in this reality show?
When you are in a team environment, where everyone has a different mindset, you have to find a way to work around it. There are 15 celebrities and all their minds are different. Some are aggressive, some soft, and a few have strong opinions. As long as no one is insulting or fighting with anyone, all is good and part of being human. I have my own way of handling them. Sometimes I could convey my message with anger or with love. My job is to convey what is right and what is wrong.

Would you ever consider entering the show as a contestant?
I won't go as a contestant. There is no option. It's also because I am very expensive. It is difficult to afford me even for two weeks. Right now, I only have to host for 8-10 days, of which some are allotted to promotions. I have never thought of joining any reality show because staying away from your family, not talking to anyone, not knowing what is happening in the outside world, that is a choice. I can't do that.

What was your family's reaction?
They didn't know at first. My kids came to know when they saw my first shoot, and they said, ‘What are you doing? What is the need to do this?' Most of the discussion at home is about cricket, not about these things. My younger son [Vedang] watches those shows. He told me that the show is not right for me. But I told them that this is a new thing. Let's try.

When you had your lows, how did you find your way out of them?
I remember, when I was dropped in 2007, I was upset that I should have gone to England, I would have played well there. But I wasn't selected. So, I was at home, upset. My mother asked, ‘Why are you sad? You played so well, you played for six years till 2006, you have made a name, you have made money. Even if you don't play, it's okay, it's life, sometimes life is up, sometimes it's down. So, be happy.' I realised that I should utilise that time to focus on my fitness. When I came back, I made my second triple century in 2008. I played continuously till 2013, and we won the World Cup in 2011.

Sehwag's wishlist

"Everyone would be good on ‘Rise & Fall' because we come from a humble background. We played cricket with a lot of hard work, learned, performed, and then came up. So, I think, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Chand, and Mohammad Kaif would all do well on the show"

On Rohit Sharma turning host

Sehwag says that Sharma is doing a fun show, which is different from what he is doing on ‘Rise & Fall 2'. "He is my junior. So, we don't talk about all these things. We talk about cricketing terms [whenever we connect]. He will have fun on his show, while I handle and take care of the contestants. I have to maintain the decorum of the show"

Contestants on ‘Rise & Fall 2'

Swara Bhasker, Karan Patel and Priyanka Chahar Choudhary