Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; May 14, 2020)

Even as he is concerned about the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the world at large, actor-host Maniesh Paul is grateful that the lockdown has allowed him to spend quality time with his children and wife. These days, he is taking piano lessons from his nine-year-old daughter, Saisha, and reading books to his three-year-old son, Yuvann. He tells BT, “There is so much to do. I am reading books, watching movies and seeing my kids grow, which I don’t get to do otherwise. I’m also spending time with my wife, Sanyukta. The highlight of the day is learning piano from my daughter. I am taking online classes for it, too, but Saisha loves teaching me. The joy on her face when she does so is priceless. So, yes, I am trying to focus on the positive side of the lockdown.”

The Pauls indulge in a Ludo ‘championship’ every day as well. “Ladaai-jhagde wala contest hota hai; we are all competitive,” he laughs, adding that he’s also learning to cook. Ask him what his greatest learning from the lockdown has been and he replies, “I think we all needed to slow down because we were running aimlessly. This phase has taught me to consciously make more time for my loved ones. I know for a fact that I will now make time to play Ludo with my family, cook for them, play the piano with my daughter and read to my son.”

On the work front, Maniesh, like his colleagues, is battling uncertainty. He says, “I am a workaholic and I love to travel. But today, when I look at my passport, it does not feel like anything more than a mere diary. Everything is uncertain. I had so many international shows lined up, which have all been postponed. The impact of the pandemic is stronger on people who are less privileged than I am, so I thank God for what I have.”

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; August 3, 2019)

For Maniesh Paul, his birthday becomes special when he can do something for the people around him. A couple of years ago, TV’s popular host brought in his birthday at an old-age home in Gurgaon by spending time with them and gifting them necessary items. One year, he was at a Gurudwara where he served as a volunteer serving langar that day. This time, since the Sultan of Stage, as he is called by his fans, would be in Singapore on a holiday with his family, he decided to celebrate his big day in advance. As he has a huge following among kids, thanks to his show Science of Stupid, Maniesh decided to celebrate it with children.

On July 31, the actor took around 40 underprivileged children from an NGO to an entertainment hub where he played with them and treated them with goodies. “I feel good spending time with as many people as I can, and I always want to do something special on my birthday. This year, the idea came from the NGO, who got in touch with me and I was more than willing. Kids really like me, touch wood. My show Science Of Stupid was quite a hit with them,” says Maniesh, who played cricket and video games with the children.

And for once, the host found himself on the other side of the spectrum with the kids questioning him non-stop. “They were really chatty and wanted to know all kinds of things about me,” laughs Maniesh, adding, “They asked me how I was as a kid, did I play pranks, how was I as a student, etc. One kid wanted to know about my journey from Delhi to Mumbai! I told him, 'Look at your size and look at your question’. I was impressed that they knew so much about me. I even questioned the teachers if they had prepared them, but I was told, the children were excited to ask. I had a wonderful time with them,” he says.

When asked about his holiday plans, Maniesh said his wife Sanyukta was keen that he take a couple of days off. “It is a short holiday and I know my wife has planned surprises for me. Even my daughter, Saisha, has been giving me a small gift daily since the past 15 days. She plays treasure hunt and after I solve a clue, I get a gift. I do that for my wife every year and she has taken it from there. My cousin from Singapore told me she called him and has planned something there, too, and I look forward to it,” smiles the actor, signing off.

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; July 23, 2019)

It’s been a couple of firsts for television’s popular host, Maniesh Paul, this year. Not only is this the first time that he is anchoring the dance reality show Nach Baliye but for the inaugural three episodes, he also had none other than superstar Salman Khan giving him company as his co-host! That the two share a great equation came across when the pictures of them laughing and hugging went viral.

“We have worked a lot together as I have been hosting his Da-Bangg The Tour, but this is the first time we anchored a show together on TV. There is a great comfort level with him and we are like family,” says Maniesh.

Since he was co-hosting with Salman, did he have to do it differently, keeping in mind Dabangg Khan’s stature? “Not really. I didn’t have to take care of a lot of things nor was I conscious about it. But, yes, we didn’t go below-the-belt or crack dirty jokes, which otherwise also I don’t, but with Salman sir, I have to take care of his stardom. The good part is he always gives me a lot of leeway. He tells me this is your space, you play along and I will follow you. He enjoys my jokes and that becomes the USP of hosting with him,” Maniesh elaborates.

While Maniesh is known for his witty repartees, the Bharat star, too, is popular for his wisecracks and one-liners. So, how did they balance it out? “Yes, Salman sir has a great sense of humour, but when I am on the stage with him, he makes sure that he gives me that space. He will never crack a joke jahan pe mujhe chhota dikhaya jaaye. Even if he has a comeback, he will just smile or laugh. Yeh unka badappan hai that he doesn’t demean anybody. A superstar with a big heart, he just enjoys the stage. It was fantastic hosting with him even if we had long hours of shoot,”  Maniesh, signs off.

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; August 17, 2018)

Maniesh Paul will be seen in a short film titled Black Briefcase, for the first time. The popular TV host, known for his gift of the gab, has absolutely no dialogues in it. Moreover, he essays the role of a man, who faces a moral dilemma when entrusted with a mission to carry out blasts in the city. Maniesh shares his experience of attempting such an intense role.

What prompted you to do Black Briefcase?
I was looking for something to try and reinvent myself. Actually, whatever films I have done till now, I have tried to be different. Even on TV, though I have been hosting shows, I always try to create variety and that’s the reason I’ve been anchoring for so long. My brother Vevek Paul and I have produced Black Briefcase under our banner Cinemaddicts9. We decided ki hum kuchh alag film banayenge where I play a grey character. That’s when my brother met director Kartik Singh on a flight. The latter was the one who came up with the idea of this short.

You are known for your one-liners, but in this film you have no dialogues!
(Laughs) Initially, my character was supposed to have some dialogues, but we decided against that. We thought that I should just emote without any lines. Frankly, I love to talk, but while shooting, I told people on the sets not to converse with me. If I did, then punches nikal aate and I didn’t want to do that, I wanted to be in character. I didn’t even talk to my wife while filming. I told her I won’t be calling her from the sets. She is always a huge support for me. So, she would just message me asking if all was fine and tell me to focus on my work.

You play a grey character for the first time in this film. Was it difficult?
Obviously, it wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t difficult either. I did not prep for four or five months. But, yes, so far, the films that I’ve done have been light and funny. This was in a different zone. First, I had to work on my look. I like to dress dapper and wear suits, etc. And my hair is always in place. But for Black Briefcase, I had to sport a grungy, unkempt look. I shopped for clothes from places like Sadar Bazaar in Delhi. Also, I didn’t take a bath for a few days. My character had to look tired and haggard. I know one can achieve that look with make-up, but I wanted it to be realistic. Even the body language of a person who hasn’t slept is different. So, I napped only for an hour or so for four days. I didn’t use my vanity van and did not want any luxury on the sets. So, I sat on the stairs of shops in the lanes of Delhi where we shot. I just wanted to be in character. And as an actor, I enjoyed the process.

You are also hosting Indian Idol for the first time. How is the experience?
I’m having a really good time and even the show is getting good feedback. Judges ke saath, I’m having a lot of fun. But the show is all about singing and this time, we have got brilliant singers. They are on another level. What’s more, I sometimes join the participants in singing, too. In fact, recently, Gurdas Maan had visited the sets. I’m his huge fan. I have grown up on his songs and my mom is also a big fan. On the show, he was going to sing Ki Banu Duniya Da. When I told him it’s my favourite song, he said ‘Aap bhi gaao mere saath’. No one in the team knew about it and when I joined him, it was a big surprise for everybody on the sets.

You have become the official host of Salman Khan’s Da-Bangg The Tour...
(Cuts in) Yes, all of us on the tour have become like a family. I shared a great rapport with everyone, be it Katrina (Kaif) or Jacqueline (Fernandez). The videos have gone viral. Bhai, of course, has always been a huge support and I’ve learnt a lot from him. I got a call to host his Da-Bangg show when I was anchoring Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. At that time, I had fractured my hand and was using a sling. Naturally, I panicked and told the team about my condition. They said, ‘Don’t worry, this will happen next year, too’. I was overjoyed and decided that if I’ve to go with Salman sir, I’ve to not only be as fit as him but also build my physique in such a way that I’m able to go on the stage shirtless like him! Touch wood, he loves my work and is a major inspiration for me to be fit.

Maniesh Paul on why he wants to achieve a beefy physique for the upcoming Da-Bangg tour in his hometown Delhi
Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; November 11, 2017)

After touring the US and UK, Salman Khan’s Da-Bangg The Tour is being staged in the capital city in December. And the one who is on cloud nine is Dilli ka munda Maniesh Paul, who has been hosting the show. “It’s another level of excitement. Being a Delhi boy, I remember going to Nehru Stadium to attend sports day as well as some concerts. And now, to be performing at the same venue is a big thing for me,” gushes Maniesh.

Not only that, he is planning to go shirtless on stage a la Salman Khan this time. Didn’t he do that in London? “I was planning to, but was a little shy, lekin apne sheher mein zaroor karunga,” he smiles. He is working out to get a sculpted physique.

Maniesh recently posted some pictures wearing a jacket, which he says will come off on stage! “Earlier, I used to work out wearing a ganji, but now it is with a jacket, so that people will get a surprise on the D-day,” he explains.

However, the best part about performing in his hometown is that his parents will be there to watch him. “My mother is my biggest fan. My family rarely comes to any of my shows, so this will be special,” he says. Maniesh is also planning to sing, dance, and interact with the crowd more than he did before. He has a good rapport with Prabhu Dheva and the duo is planning to make a random entry on stage and start doing their own gig when someone is performing! “Last time we did that was when Salman sir was dancing. He was sporting enough to join us and do our steps,” he says, looking forward to the finale act, which he says will be the biggest so far. “It will be a 15-minute medley with everybody in the team dancing and going mad,” he says.