Perfect match is two hands and fingers fitting perfectly - Karan Kundra

JYOTHI VENKATESH tells KARAN KUNDRRA in this exclusive and intimate interview for bollyy.com and Mayapuri

Does dating often end at getting one's right match in first sight? Do you believe in that?
Well, I'm a hardcore romantic deep within, so I still believe in love at first sight but there's a catch to it. And that is the fact that these days, we are hiding behind perfectly photoshopped, filtered pictures, well thought-out bios and introductory lines and profiles which could be quite deceptive. But if you are seeing people without these filters and if it's face to face, then it really makes a difference. That is why we have Dating Aaj Kal on Flipkart video, because on the show we are incorporating new age dating while getting rid the filters and putting people face to face in real space, for them to figure out whether there's going to be a connection or a match or not.

What exactly is the perfect match, as far as you're concerned?

A perfect match would be somebody that you're obviously attracted to, someone with whom there's immense amount of compatibility because that is what is going to help you in the long run. It helps build chemistry and ensure that the relationship will be a lot of fun. So, for me, perfect matches are about two individuals with different personalities coming together. Like two hands and the fingers fitting perfectly together. That’s what I’d call a perfect match.

What do you think about the show?

I am a person who wouldn’t hesitate to try something new. I have worked with Flipkart Video in the past on the show Ladies Vs Gentlemen which was hosted by Riteish and Genelia and I really enjoyed every minute of it. So when Flipkart Video came back to me and said that now we're going to do something which is India’s first interactive dating show, I was ecstatic.
Go on!

Today the scenario has changed. We socialize more on our phones than in person and that’s something we’re trying to change with Dating Aaj Kal.

In what way do you think dating has evolved over the yesrs since 2000?

The concept of dating itself has evolved from what it was in the 2000’s to what it is now, and we have taken elements across this time frame and incorporated it into the show. On Dating Aaj Kal, we get rid of the profiles, bios, images and everything on the social media front and encourage face to face interactions.

What is the show all about?

The show takes you through the journey of five girls who have taken a break from the online dating world and are giving a chance to real interactions with Dating Aaj Kal and the boys are competing for their attention. While this is happening, the audience that has tuned in gets to make poll-based choices, if their choices match what happens on the show, they get to win some exciting prizes. This new pathbreaking format is sure to excite my fans and all the viewers on Flipkart Video.

How will you help a girl on the show in finding her right match? To what extent will you be the friend of the girl in helping her find the right partner from the show?

My role on Dating Aaj Kal is obviously of the host. We have beautiful and stunning single ladies that come on the show and we know a bit about them, because we've had conversations with them. We know what they like, what they dislike, what they're about, what their future holds for them and where they see themselves in a relationship setup. Hence, we try to find the best five boys who we think would be compatible with the girl and then we put them through the process, which is Dating Aaj Kal by Flipkart Video and through the course of the show we let the girls decide. I'm always there, to guide the girls if they have any doubts, any questions or anything that they needs to know. On Dating Aaj Kal, we are taking away the filters, there is no hiding behind the phone screen and hence the scenario is very real. If any of the boys try to portray a different picture and if we can help it, that's where I come in.

Can you elucidate please?

On the show everyone is trying to put their best foot forward, but our team has researched enough, and we watch the participants very closely. If something that a boy is portraying, doesn’t match the real picture, I step in to show the girl the reality. At the end of the day however, it is the girl’s choice. It is her journey but we do our bit in making it as real and clear as possible.

Can we sum up the show in these three words-Romance, love and drama, or do you think there's more to watch out for?

Of course, there's romance, of course there's drama but what is also important is that the show brings out the real essence of dating. We have tried our best to get rid of the filters and are enabling participants to put their true selves forward, eliminating anything that they may be hiding.

Any tips for someone who has not yet initiated or made a move to someone they like?
I would say that you should always be upfront about how you feel. I understand that it is tough and that it can be quite daunting, but you rather do that than repent because someone else has made the move. There’s nothing that could go wrong if you make the first move and hence, I advise that you do that.

Just who's directing the show? What is the duration? Are there gonna be any celebs?

The episodes are 18-20 minutes long. From a celebrity point of view, people will be getting to see a lot of me because the show is about real people – real girls and boys coming together to see if they can find the right match.

2020 has been life changing for most of us, what is it that kept you going? Any time for introspection or any new lessons learned or any new skills acquired?

2020, the year has made me retrospect a lot and thankfully I got to spend a lot of family time. I’ve learnt a lot of life lessons in this time. Before the lockdown I was shooting for a film, for a show and was also busy with some promotions and that meant a lot of back and forth across cities and I had no time to spend with myself which is what I got to do during the lockdown. I got the time to reflect and it helped me realize a lot about life in general. I have understood the value of so many other things that we take for granted otherwise and this lockdown also helped me spend some good quality time with my family.

Click on the link to catch a glimpse of the show: 

Appended below is an overview on the upcoming show and here is the link to the teaser for you reference -

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