Women can make you laugh: Parizad

It won't be an exaggeration to say that the glam element of ���The Great Indian Laughter Challenge��� is none other than perky anchor Parizad Kolah Marshall.
Let���s find out her experience on the sets of ���Laughter Challenge���. She has always stayed away from the saas bahu soaps yet managed to get a foot-hold in the television industry. Let���s find out how she does it....
Your most unforgettable moments on the sets?
From day one, each and every moment has been memorable for me.Sidhu and Shekhar Suman have been extremely supporting, a lot of fun and encouraging. They have always pushed me to take on challenges. We all have a good time together.
You overall experience so far?
There is no instant access to fame. Once, I was on the sets of ���Mai Prem Ki Deewani Hoon��� with Raju Srivastava. Though we had hardly interacted at that time, he approached me after the shot and asked if he should give a shot at ���Laughter Challenge���. I at once said, ���You must go and should take it as a challenge���. Look at where he is now! With his dedication and effort he had become a household name. I just want to convey that until and unless you face challenges you can���t succeed. Nobody is going to snatch your victory if you���re confident. If you don���t give yourself a chance you don���t know what you can achieve. The same with Sunil Pal. He made an effort and success chased him. The key is the desire to do and things will turn out your way. One must not pigeon-hole oneself into saying that I can���t do it.
Your personal favourite contestant?
Of course, Raju Srivastava, and I told you why. Personally, he is very close to my heart. I have worked with him before and I admire him because he has come up to a great level today. Another ���Laughter Challenge��� participant I like is Navin Prabhakar. He has become famous with his punchline ���Pehchaan Kaun��� and has truly made his ���pehchaan��� today.
Are the contestants so jovial and light-hearted in reality too?
They are jovial and funny in real life no doubt, but to a certain extent. In reality, when they���re before so many people staring at them, it���s obvious to feel a little nervous till the camera rolls. It���s a very challenging task for small-towners like them to enthrall so many people. And not only small-towners, anybody can lose that spark and confidence when you have millions watching you. If the desired output is not there, there���s no second chance for them. But honestly, nervousness also brings the best out of them. When they are on stage they have a responsibility and there are no re-takes.
What all have you been through to justify this important turn in your life?
There were so many auditions in the beginning and I was screen-tested a dozen times. I started my journey when I was 18. So many years have passed since. Each and every audition 3-4 times a day was not a cakewalk but I took baby steps and achieved everything in a slow and steady process. When there was nothing God has always thrown something for me. I have worked hard and I am comfortable in front of the cameras now. It was a huge process and I never gave up. I think I have got that fire in my belly. It���s today that things have fit in very well.
How do you balance your home and work?
I take everything as an opportunity. I���m happy and hardly ever get upset over anything. It���s a laughter show and no matter what, I have to give justice to it. I spend as much time with my family as I do with my work. But when lights and camera are on, it���s only work for me. I have a daughter, Deanne to look after. It���s a blessing for me that my daughter is doted upon by my in-laws and brothers and I am a little less burdened. This way, things get managed easily.
How do you pep-up your mood when you appear on the screen?
Yes! I sometimes get moody and in a profession it���s obvious to feel bad about many things. But when the camera is on, Parizad has to forget everything. I have to go neck-deep in work. Even if I am in foul mood I can switch on, switch off very easily. Because people don���t want to know what kind of a day it was for you. And the contestants are so funny that you are bound to be pepped up. I hardly have a dull moment on the sets. Especially Navjot Sidhu, he is a constant factor and a pillar to support. He can never let you feel low. Having spent so many years with him on the show I can say that he is one person who has never changed. He is so hilarious and the same goes for Shekhar Suman. He has a charming and supportive nature. Even today I can call or sms him anytime and he will be there to help me out.
Is it tough for a woman to make the audience laugh?
Though it���s tough for them to fit into that slot yet, it���s nothing like that. There are many shows these days where a woman can make you laugh. We can���t say that they are less talented. But yes, women have to shed inhibitions because for Indian woman it���s tough to come up on stage and crack jokes. It really requires lots of guts. A man can speak anything and just get away with it. But woman are born shy. But yes, women are coming up, no doubt.
Being a woman was it tough for you to survive on TV?
Yes, competition is getting tougher day by day and honestly speaking good faces are surely recognized. In anchoring where there are thousands of people and faces, it���s a challenge to find a niche for oneself. When I started, I was unsure of my Hindi and how I���d handle such a challenging role. But again, no excuse to not work hard! Our homework has to be done. And for me fortunately the team was good. Director Pankaj Saraswat has brought out my natural side. He is such a brain. I have full faith in him.
Tell us something on being a young mother
I spend as much time with my daughter Deanne and family as I do with my work. My daughter completes me as person. She is a big entertainer. If you make peekaboo at her she throws it back to you. She copies whatever I do. When she sees ���Laughter Challenge��� she keeps saying ���Mama Mama���. She understands everything and has a very cute smile. We go out for shopping, dinner and food joints. She is in play-school now. When I return from work just a smile from her refreshes me.
Can you compare youself with Shonali Nagrani?
She is talented in her own space, speaks good Hindi. There is no comparison. We are good friends. I don���t say best friends but yes we are close to each other.
Check out Parizad Kolah Marshall���s pics