My new chat show will evoke genuine laughter: Pearle Maaney

When one thinks of anchor and actress Pearle Maaney, one of the first few things that come to mind is her chirpy and dynamic persona. The former host of D4 Dance, who was last seen on TV in Bigg Boss Malayalam’s first edition, is thrilled to be part of an upcoming show titledFunny Nights with Pearlethat banks on what she does best —talk, make people laugh and entertain.Pearle, who is also awaiting her Bollywood debut —an Anurag Basu directorial, tells us what she has in store for the audience.
You are back as a host after D4 Dance. How different is the show going to be?
I would only get to know more about it once we actually start shooting. All I can say is that it’s a chat show that will be full of fun. Though I have been getting a lot offers for chat shows, before and after my marriage, I never felt like taking them up, as it was all like something I have already done. I wanted to do something that would bring out the fun element in me. I liked how this show just fit the bill, and would get across audience of all age groups, which includes ammammas and kids, evoking genuine pottichiri.
Picture Credit: Daisy David Photography

In today’s world, there are enough problems, and even social media is flooded by posts of such instances. There is never a ‘going away’ from all this, and yet I think you just have one life, and you can spend some time laughing and relaxing, without thinking about anything serious. The show resonates with my mantra that no matter what happens, you must always find a reason to smile.
When the makers briefed me about the concept, I was like, ‘Wow, let’s do it’. I feel this is my home ground, and when it is a fun show, you feel like you are not working, you are enjoying.
While you are part of the show, Srinish’s Sathya Enna Penkutty is aired on the same channel. How does that make you feel?
We don’t talk about anything other than what pertains to the house, like ‘Why hasn’t the plants been watered?’ (Laughs). We don’t discuss anything beyond that. That said, having shows in the same channel was never planned, but it feels great, as the team working with Srini would be teaming up with me as well. So, they will bond well with him and me.
You also shot a promo video of your show with Srinish. How did that happen?
Srini had come to pick me up, as my car’s tyre got punctured that day. It was a coincidence that on the same day the director had asked me to shoot a promo video to put up on social media. That’s when Srini came, and whatever you see in the video was done on the spot and we got it right in a single take. I was having pazhampori at that time, and it so happened that the scene we shot had me throwing tantrums at him, who was asking what my show was on, and I playfully reply that my show is named on the snack itself.
Recently, you posted ‘Rajith Sir is Uyir’ about the Bigg Boss contestant. Do you have any favourites this time?
I am not following the show much, and I have only watched it in bits and pieces, through the cuts or promo videos. I also see people’s opinions and trolls. The day I posted about Rajith sir was after watching the show for two days, and I felt that he was getting physically hurt, in various instances. I am somebody, who has been inside the house, and I know how it feels. Claustrophobia is something grave, and only when you get stuck in a lift, you actually get to understand the fear. And, when you are stuck, if someone shows you a knife, even if he or she has no intention to hurt, that can be horrifying.
It is the same feeling when you are in Bigg Boss, and no one from the outside can understand what it is to get stuck inside the house. In such a situation, never entertain physical violence. I was disturbed to see this, and even if somebody else was in his place, I would say the same. I cannot tolerate somebody getting hurt on the show, and no matter what, you can’t touch or hurt someone. You cannot justify that. You can shout, but the minute you touch a person, you cross the limit.
With regard to personal favourites, I can’t pick one, but a person would only like someone who matches his or her character. The person who wins will reflect which side the outside world is on— good or bad. That will show the inclination of majority of the audience. I don’t want to confuse people by picking up one. I like all of them. Some of them are my friends too.