Kunal Kemmu has entertained audiences for years as an actor, writer and director. Now, he is taking on a completely new role as the host of Prime Video’s reality show Alliance, which started streaming on June 26. Before the show’s release, Kunal spoke about why he decided to enter the world of reality television and what made this project different from anything he had done before.
Kunal admitted that he was surprised when he was approached to host the show because he does not fit the image of a typical Indian reality show host. Most reality shows are hosted by big stars who are known for their larger than life personalities and strong on screen presence. Kunal laughed as he revealed that he even asked Prime Video and Banijay why they wanted him for the job. According to him, the makers replied that they chose him because he was different from the usual hosts audiences are used to seeing.
The actor said the biggest reason he agreed to host Alliance was its fresh and unique concept. He explained that the format has never been seen in India before, making it an exciting opportunity for everyone involved. Kunal pointed out that this is one of Prime Video’s first reality shows and Banijay had also not made a show like this before. He joked that since everyone was trying something new together, he would not be judged too harshly if he made mistakes in his first attempt as a host.
Having spent more than three decades in the entertainment industry after starting as a child actor, Kunal said reality television was still an unknown world for him. He was curious to understand how these shows are made and what really happens behind the scenes. Like many viewers, he had often wondered whether reality shows are completely real or partly scripted. Joining Alliance gave him the chance to finally see the process from the inside.
When asked if he had made it clear that he would only host the show if it was not scripted, Kunal said he did not want to make assumptions. He explained that going into the project with an open mind was the best approach instead of deciding beforehand how reality television works.
Kunal knows that Alliance will naturally be compared with popular reality shows like Bigg Boss, The Traitors, and Lock Upp. However, he believes every new show should bring something fresh for viewers. According to him, audiences enjoy reality television because it offers entertainment in different ways, and makers are constantly trying new ideas to keep the experience exciting. Based on a Dutch format, Alliance has been developed by Banijay Asia and is now streaming on Prime Video.