It’s a free flow, once camera starts rolling: Sunanda

Special Feature

With her debut into anchoring with ‘Sitaron Ko Choona Hai’ in 2009, Sunanda Wong has now come a long way with over 1500 shows to her credit spanning to almost every sort of event.

The multi-talented girl who made her acting debut with Sonam Kapoor starrer ‘Neerja’ is all set to begin shooting for her upcoming web-series in January, next year.

Following are excerpts from an interview:

 Tell us about your first encounter with the mic?

As far as my memory serves me, I have had something to say about everything and I was always someone who was always opinionated and observant. I was handed the Mic for the first time during my second standard at the morning school assembly as a reproach for talking in the assembly, but it turned out to be my first impromptu public speaking experience. Professionally it was the, Meditech’s Alva brother’s, music reality show ‘Sitaron Ko Choona Hai’.

You grabbed the ‘MTV India VJ’ title in 2013. How did it contribute to your success?

I think winning the title was like was more like beginning of the shaping of me as an artist. I was super young and someone living alone in Mumbai. For me it was like putting the key into ignition and turning it on. I absorbed immensely from my fellow VJ’s like Ayushmann Khurrana, Jose and Cyrus Sahukar.

You also held a few crucial positions in media but left soon after. Is that not your cup of tea?

 Well, I worked with CNN-IBN under India’s leading Critic Rajeev Masand where I anchored and scripted the channel’s prime time Entertainment Show ‘E-Tonight’. I think the experience was a very rewarding one. I was able to create, express, script, experiment with full freedom which really pushed my boundaries and gave me more bandwidth as a versatile anchor and an uninhibited artist. Later, it was time for me to move on to the live sector.

How challenging is hosting a live event with celebrities next to you?

I strongly believe that once the camera starts rolling, there is no challenge and it’s a free flow.

What are the special efforts one has to put in for that?

It’s the research. One is required to know more about their interest, real-self and to resonate and connect with what makes them interesting people rather than only their celebrity status.

How was your experience in the commentary box?

 I had my brush with live commentary alongside Charu Sharma on the Battleground Asia commentating on the memorable Vijendra Singh Vs Zulpikar Maimaitiali on live TV. Later, for the Devils Circuit season 1 & 2 for the Colors Infinity with British sports commentator Patrick Kinghorn .

You have acted in Neerja & Fanney Khan. Any plans of getting into a web-series?

For me acting in both the flicks was like an out of body experience. The medium which I was virgin to, had been so overwhelming and perceptive. I am now looking forward to many more such experiences. I am soon going start shooting for my upcoming series on Amazon Prime in January.

So, what’s next?

I am looking forward to doing my best work on stage, TV, theatre & films.