Kodeeswari fulfilling challenge, says Radikaa

“In the 40 years of my film career, I just performed on the spot once I entered the sets. But hosting a reality show was very challenging and something very new to me. I have to be myself and at the same time I have to act as a catalyst and motivate the women participants, which was altogether different,” says Radikaa Sarathkumar, about taking up a host avatar for the first time in her illustrious career.

Multitasker that she is, to Radikaa belongs the credit of being the first woman to host a version of the globally successful ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?’ Yes, Radhikaa will be hosting Kodeeswari, which is a first on two counts - it’s in Tamil, and the contestants will all be women.

“When the channel approached me for the show, I was wondering how to go about it as I was handling a lot of things. When they said it was meant only for women and would give wings to their small dreams, I was impressed,” says Radikaa.

“The thought of making an ordinary woman a ‘Kodeeswari’ is extremely gratifying. Forty years back, when I made my debut, I too had dreams in my heart and small desires, which grew over the years, and I fulfilled them with my work. I can see the same vision in each of these contestants. And I am glad that this platform is there for them to take a huge leap in fulfilling their dreams and desires.”

Ask her about her mentors in life, and pat comes the response: “A lot of people ask me who my inspiration and role models are. My gurunather is undoubtedly Amitabh Bachchan Sir. It is not gender-based. I have never seen anyone with so many defeats and victories as Big B has gone through. The fact that he is still going strong makes him easily my inspiration. It was a heart-warming moment when the legend heaped praises on me for my new venture (smiles).”

Kodeeswari will be aired on Colors Television from December 23 - Monday to Friday at 8 pm.