As the youngest participant on STAR Voice of India, 17-year-old Abhaas Joshi was called the ‘wonder child’ of the show. And now as the charming anchor of STAR Voice of India — Chhote Ustaad, Abhaas is being hailed as the ‘wonder host.’ On the eve of his visit to Calcutta, where the young singer will be performing — along with the six finalists of Chhote Ustaad — at the Dabur Red The Great TTIS Challenge, Abhaas spoke to t2…

On performing at the Dabur Red The Great TTIS Challenge…

I love interacting with children and this will be yet another opportunity to be with kids, to perform and sing with them. I am really looking forward to it. This is my second visit to Calcutta, my first being when Chhote Ustaad was just launched. It was a short visit then and I didn’t have a chance to see the city at all. Even this time, we will have to get back the next day for the shoot of Chhote Ustaad. I am just hoping that we can work something out and I can visit places of interest in Calcutta.

On hosting Chhote Ustaad after being a participant on the STAR Voice of India…

Mujhe lagta hai ki mera promotion ho gaya (smiles). I am happy that I have broken a barrier because very few participants on a talent show get an opportunity like this after the show draws to a close. Being a host on the show has given me a feeling of confidence. I am no longer nervous on stage.

On choosing to be an anchor rather than concentrating on his singing career…

I don’t think that this is the case simply because I feel that all this is interconnected. I have already recorded songs for Aadeshji (Aadesh Srivastava) and Ravindra Jainji. Chhote Ustaad is giving me a lot of exposure and a huge platform to showcase my skills. There have been so many people who have become huge celebrities after hosting popular television shows. I think all this will help me a lot in my career in future.

On the pressure of filling Shaan’s shoes…

There was obviously a lot of pressure when I started hosting the show. But I simply decided to do it my own way and that is what clicked with the audience. Shaan bhaiya did help me a lot, as did the other people connected with the show. Even now I call up Shaan bhaiya every other day and badger him for tips on how to anchor the show.

On being close to the Chhote Ustaad participants…

That’s true (smiles). Being a participant myself not so long ago, I can empathise with them. I know the pressure they have to face from the expectations that people have from them. They are all very talented. And they are all great fun to be with.

On his personal favourite…

Anwesha Datta Gupta from Calcutta is very talented. So is Aishwarya Majumdar from Gujarat.

On the best compliment he has received as the host of Chhote Ustaad…

There haven’t been any real compliments as such but I have had many people from the audience coming up to me and saying how much they like my manner of hosting. What I really feel good about is that I have become popular among people of all age groups — parents, kids and grandparents.