Maliaka Arora-Khan does it with cool panache; Lara Dutta oozes sophistication; Manpreet Brar delivers with unparalleled grace and intelligence; the perky dimpled Gul Panag strikes the right note; Raageshwari has you smiling back and the waif-like Nafisa Joseph has you completely riveted.
They all wield the microphone in the world of entertainment, events and showbiz. They not only turn heads; they grab you by your ears.
There’s a new theory that is slowly establishing itself: M = MC, i.e, Model equals Master of Ceremonies. Models are increasingly handling the microphone at almost every event worth its salt; they are there on the idiot box anchoring shows; they are veejaying, no event can take off without an MC and, more than ever, that MC is related to the world of beauty and modelling.
NOT JUST A PRETTY WOMAN There were those who believed that beauty queens, models, and for that matter, even actresses, lacked grey matter almost as if to counterbalance the over dose of physical beauty.
Those who thought that are perforce having to rethink this equation. They are finding that in the world of compering, pretty faces come backed by pretty content. In brief, these young women can look the look and talk the talk.
WHAT THE MODELS SAY "You’ve got to be eloquent and articulate. Compering also requires effortless humour. You might have to interact with a dead crowd, and you have to wake them up. You have to ad lib, speak extempore.
And I am not talking through my hat.
I have successfully juggled a busy career with live shows, TV shows and wrapping up a Bollywood thriller. Now I’m going to the prestigious Kellogg’s Management School in the US. The money is phenomenal; it is equivalent to say, 10 ramp shows."
- Gul Panag
"You can’t survive in this profession (emceeing) with a pretty face alone. If you are not able to control the show, the audience will get bored within a matter of five minutes. You need to have stage presence, presence of mind, communication skills and most important, an ability to connect with the audience.
Looks matter, after all, it is a visual medium. One has to be presentable, no doubt about that. But suitability for the target audience is more important.
Some believe that ‘over-the-hill models, those with dipping careers or failed models take to compering/anchoring. They can’t say that. A year after being Femina Miss India, I was into compering and anchoring. For me it is a priority of professions and I prefer compering.
Eventually, only the good and best will remain" - Manpreet Brar
Annie Thomas