While retaining the personality and humour of the most sought after “Maama” in reality shows, and now the host of his recent show titled Paritosh Tripathi’s Kavi Sammelan, Paritosh Tripathi answered a few questions in an exclusive interview with Deccan Chronicle.

Paritosh Tripathi is currently winning hearts with his unique blend of poetry, humour and candid conversations. From intimate gatherings to the digital space, he has successfully brought the world of kavita to a younger audience. In this exclusive conversation, Paritosh opens up about his show, Gen Z, love, marriage, his evolving career and why being himself has become his biggest USP.

Excerpts:

Your show brings together poetry, conversations, humour and entertainment. How does it feel to see it connect so strongly with audiences?

It feels wonderful. Earlier, we used to sit at home or meet at gatherings and talk, gossip, recite poetry and share stories. Today, we are doing the same thing in front of the camera. The format has changed, but the essence remains the same.

The show has received tremendous love. Some reels have crossed 100 to 200 million views, and the response on YouTube has also been fantastic. It streams every Friday at 6 pm, and there are people who actually wait for it and come online at that time. What makes me happiest is that a large part of the audience is young.

Your audience has a lot of youngsters. How do you look at today’s Gen Z?

I think Gen Z is extremely intelligent. People keep saying different things about them, but when I look at them, I sometimes wonder, “Why weren’t we like this at their age?”

Our generation got caught up in certain conventional ideas, especially the obsession with government jobs and having a secure career. The generation before us was, in many ways, very progressive. Then, somewhere, two generations became more confused. But the generation after us seems much clearer about what they want.

Do you think that clarity is also reflected in their understanding of relationships and love?

Absolutely. Look at the whole discussion around the so called “bad boy syndrome.” Why do some girls like bad boys? Because the bad boy is clear about what he wants. The hero, on the other hand, is often confused. “Should I say it or shouldn’t I? What will society think?”

The villain simply says, “I want you.” There is a certain clarity there. Our old films understood this very well.

You have spoken quite a lot about love and relationships on the show. How much of that comes from your own experience?

I am married, so now I can at least talk about love!

I do joke about these things with my friends, but my wife knows me very well. We’ve been together for 16 years, so she knows exactly where all these thoughts come from. Sometimes she’ll ask me, “When did you write all this about love?” And I’ll say, “A long time ago.” Then she’ll ask me exactly when, and honestly, I don’t remember!

You have also written about jealousy in love. Do you believe jealousy is a part of love?

A little bit, perhaps. If I see someone very much in love, I sometimes feel jealous. But now I want everyone to get married! Earlier, when I was unmarried, I thought everyone should remain unmarried. Now that I’ve experienced marriage, I pray that everyone gets married.

Life should have every emotion. Happiness alone isn’t enough. There should be a little pain, drama and everything else too. That’s what makes life complete.

And I’ve been fortunate. My wife is a wonderful woman, and now we also have a daughter. What more could I ask for?

You once said that you have lost more battles in love than you have lost to your enemies. Do you still stand by that?

Absolutely. I have lost more in love. There is a beautiful line about how no one has taken as many lives as love has. Love itself can be a gamble with poison.

Love can make you vulnerable, but that’s also what makes it beautiful.

Earlier, poetry and kavita were part of gatherings, weddings and shamianas. Today, they are thriving on social media. How do you see this evolution?

Every art form evolves. Earlier, there were films, then television became a major medium, then came OTT and the web. So poetry also has to evolve.

Earlier, we would sit in a gathering and listen to kavita. Today, people are doing the same thing on digital platforms. The form has changed, but the emotion hasn’t.

Why should we keep talking about the same subjects? We have episodes around beer, rain, tea and so many other everyday topics. There are many exciting episodes coming up, with very different guests.

You’ve had guests from completely different fields. Was that diversity intentional?

Yes, and that’s what makes the show exciting. We’ve had people from dance, food, comedy, acting and modelling. Terence Lewis, chef Ranveer Brar, stand up comedian Harsh Gujral, Ayesha Khan and many others have been part of it.

We’ve also invited people who may not be household names but have something interesting to say. That’s very important to me. I don’t want the show to be restricted to celebrities. I want different kinds of voices.

The show also mixes poetry with comedy and even political satire. How do you decide where to draw the line?

Poetry can talk about everything. It can be serious, romantic, funny or political. If something is said intelligently, it can become entertaining without losing its meaning.

We have also done political satire. Politicians themselves message me saying that they watch the show and enjoy it. So I tell them, “Then come on the show!”

Some have promised to come. Let’s see who keeps their promise! (Laughs)

Ravi Kishan has also shown interest in the show. How was that interaction?

Ravi Kishan is a wonderful person. I’ve known him for a long time and have tremendous respect for him. He recently called me after one of the poetry pieces went viral. He said it was very relatable.

It’s always special when someone from the industry appreciates poetry and connects with it.

Your career seems to be entering a very exciting phase. How are you enjoying it?

I’m very happy. I’m enjoying myself because I’m finally doing things that I genuinely like.

I’m also married to the person I love, and professionally, some really interesting films are coming up. I want to be part of stories that excite me and work with actors I admire.

I’ve played Nana Patekar’s son in one of the projects, and there are two or three more films coming up where I’m doing different kinds of roles.

Can you reveal something about these upcoming films?

There are three or four projects, and they belong to different genres. I’m playing different kinds of characters. In some, I’m in a leading or parallel role.

I’m also exploring characters like a villain, a horror based role, a cop and even a lover boy. That’s what excites me, doing something people don’t expect from me.

You’ve often played comic or older characters. Would you still take up those kinds of roles?

Of course. If the character is interesting, why not?

I’ve played an uncle like character before, and I’ve even done a romantic role. That experience was also fun. But now I’m interested in showing audiences different sides of myself.

If something comes naturally to me but still surprises the audience, that’s even more exciting.

Do you feel this is the phase where you’re finally creating the personality you always wanted people to see?

I think so. People who know me personally already know what Paritosh Tripathi is like. Now, through this show, the audience is getting to see that same person.

For the first time, I’m not playing a character. I’m playing myself.

The kind of humour I have, the things I’ve read, the books I’ve enjoyed, the thoughts I’ve written, everything comes naturally into the show.

I don’t have to act. I’m just natural and humble. If you try to act natural, people will eventually catch it. I would rather just be myself.

Your show is also introducing many young poets to a larger audience. How do you select them?

We watch videos, contests and different performances. But whenever I can, I try to give people an opportunity, especially poets from smaller cities who don’t always have access to these platforms.

One poet actually told me that he boarded a flight for the first time because of the show. That touched me.

We need to give writers and poets respect. For years, they have been creating beautiful work, and now they are finally getting a platform where people are listening to them.

Do you think today’s youngsters are becoming more interested in poetry?

Definitely. Young people are writing extremely well. Poetry is going viral in every possible form today.

I honestly feel that every person is a poet in some way. They may not always write, but everyone has emotions, experiences and stories inside them.

As long as people continue to listen and watch, this journey will continue.

You are aiming for more than 52 episodes. What is the long term plan?

Why stop at 52? If people continue to give us this much love, why should we stop?

There is no shortage of poets in our country. There are so many stories and voices waiting to be discovered. My DMs are full of people sending me their work.

As long as the audience wants it, we’ll keep going.

Finally, what message would you like to give your audience?

Live every day. Have fun and enjoy your life.

People say, “Enjoy yourself,” but the truth is that nobody is going to come and hand you happiness. You have to find it yourself.

And most importantly, be yourself. That’s your USP.

Love yourself first. Then love God.

I believe loving yourself is extremely important. I’ve been doing it too. I even kiss myself twice!

So yes, just be yourself, enjoy your journey and keep smiling.