Want to get hitched but sifting through thousands of matrimonial ads in a newspaper or visiting hundreds of unknown profiles on the Internet? STAR Vivaah (Monday to Friday at 2pm on STAR Plus), with the promise: Behtreen avsar manpasand humsafar, may well be of help. t2 caught up with show host Mohnish Behl…

What is the concept of STAR Vivaah?

Simply put, Vivaah is one step forward from the traditional system of matrimonial websites and newspaper columns. Through the show, we will try to bring a prospective bride or groom one step closer to discovering their ideal partner. But that doesn’t mean that we are actually bringing two people together and forcing them to get married! The show simply acts as a platform for the exposure of an individual profile to multiple profiles, with the opportunity to make the best possible choice.

What will we get to see on the show?

The team of Vivaah will go to the homes of viewers who write in and express an interest to be part of the show. The preferences, likes and dislikes of the groom or the bride, as well as the family, are then video-recorded and telecast on the show. If a particular profile invites significant feedback from the audience, we will invite them to the show and chat with them — not grill them. The idea of Vivaah is to make a lot more information available about a bride or groom than what matrimonial sites or newspaper columns allow.

What drew Mohnish Behl to Vivaah?

First, I have never done anything like this before. The theme is unique and extremely interesting. Second, marriage is an important decision in every person’s life. Third, I was really impressed by the show’s stand against the dowry system and gender bias. I have always wanted to be associated with a socially relevant show and it doesn’t get better than Vivaah.

Will you act as a matchmaker between the two parties on the show?

From the outset, I want to make something very clear to the audience. I am not a mediator or a matchmaker on the show. My role is actually that of an elderly figure, someone of authority…someone like an elder brother. My job is to make the parties comfortable with each other. Sometimes, the families may feel embarrassed to ask certain questions. That’s where I step in.

Does Vivaah draw inspiration from Kahin Na Kahin Koi Hai, the matrimonial show that Madhuri Dixit had hosted many years ago?

Vivaah has no similarity whatsoever to Madhuriji’s show, apart from the theme of marriage.

If Mohnish Behl had been a bachelor, would he have sent his profile to the show?

(Laughs) Now, that’s a tricky one! Maybe I would have. Would have been fun to know what kind of girls would fancy someone like me!