Actor Kunal Kemmu says comparisons with Salman Khan — the undisputed face of Indian reality television for over a decade — were never on his mind as he stepped into hosting duties for the new reality show 'Alliance'. Speaking ahead of the show's launch, Kemmu said he is approaching the role with a blank slate, with no intention of mimicking any predecessor's style.

What Kunal Kemmu Said

Asked directly whether the inevitable comparisons with Salman Khan weighed on him, Kemmu was candid. 'I didn't think about all that. People have been doing it way before I have been doing it. And they are doing it very well,' he said.

He went further, explaining that his approach is neither imitative nor deliberately contrarian. 'Your conditioning is such that maybe this is how it happens because you have never seen it. So I am neither trying to emulate anyone, nor am I trying to be different from anyone,' he added.

Entering the Role 'Blindly'

Kemmu acknowledged the hosting space is entirely new territory for him and admitted he has no fixed idea of what kind of host he will turn out to be. 'Like I told you that I am entering it blindly. I don't know myself. Maybe sometimes someone will say that this is the tone that was caught or this is something different. I don't know. And I am genuinely doing what I feel is right,' he said.

The self-awareness is notable — rather than projecting confidence built on a template, Kemmu appears to be treating 'Alliance' as an open experiment in on-screen persona.

The Salman Khan Benchmark

Salman Khan has hosted the flagship reality show Bigg Boss for 15 seasons, cementing a near-monopoly on the prime-time reality hosting space in India. His combination of star power, improvisational wit, and audience rapport has set a standard that every new reality host is inevitably measured against.

Kemmu's entry into this space with 'Alliance' marks a departure from that template — at least in terms of personality and background. Known primarily as an actor, his last outing was Madgaon Express, which also marked his directorial debut and earned praise for its quirky storytelling and ensemble performances.

What to Watch

Whether Kemmu's unscripted, instinct-led approach resonates with audiences will become clear once 'Alliance' airs. The show enters a competitive reality television landscape where host charisma can be as decisive as content. His willingness to go in without a playbook could either read as refreshing authenticity or an early learning curve — audiences will be the judge.