“Strike A Balance Between Authenticity & Adaptability”: Nikita Rana
Nikita Rana, a seasoned TV anchor and professional emcee is the latest to join our list of India’s Most Popular Emcees. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Rana shares her journey from anchoring school assemblies to hosting shows for global leaders and prestigious clients like Zee Business, Google and Forbes. In this exclusive interview, she delves into her inspiration for pursuing a career in hosting, her meticulous preparation process and the challenges she's faced along the way.
Rana also offers valuable insights for aspiring anchors and emcees looking to excel in the field, emphasising the importance of authenticity, adaptability and respect for the audience.
Excerpts:
What inspired you to become an anchor and emcee?
I started public speaking at the age of six, transitioning from anchoring school assemblies to moderating shows by my engineering days. I always wanted to make it my profession but did not know how. The only thing I knew was that engaging with an audience gave me happiness, but of course, that alone couldn’t be enough to make it my career, so I was waiting for a sign from the universe. That sign came when I joined Jio, where my first show was for Mr. Mukesh Ambani himself. His appreciation was what I was looking for. I remember telling myself, "In this lifetime, a global leader like Mr. Ambani has appreciated my anchoring skills. What more sign do you need?" So, for four years at Jio, I hosted JioTalks: interviewing CEOs, celebrities and business leaders and eventually started NikitaRana Group: where we provide anchoring services to TV and event leaders and our B2B sales team offers corporate sponsorships to expo chiefs. Meanwhile, I also anchored on national TV for Zee Business, one of our most prestigious clients. It all started with that six-year-old’s persistence.
How do you prepare for different types of events?
We exclusively handle B2B and B2C shows and are trusted by giants like Zee Business, Google, ET, Amazon, Jio, GOI, Forbes, Niti Aayog, Kotak, Tata and Gucci. The shows I host are as distinct as our clientele. My script team and I research our client, their history, the event's purpose and the audience persona to handcraft an engaging script. As an Emcee, I truly believe that a great script and an engaged audience provide the best ROI, not just for your anchor but for the show’s aim.
What challenges have you faced while hosting events and how did you overcome them?
For any anchor, the main challenges are last-minute changes and managing stress, which can be extremely stressful. This state of calm comes with experience and is a must-have element brought by the event emcee to the show. The backend of any show is always on fire, as it should be because everyone is delivering their best content live without retakes. Being able to not absorb that chaos but to take it as a sign that we’re all present here to do something important is the biggest takeaway, which comes only from experience.
What role does spontaneity play in your hosting style?
For me, spontaneity is being present in the moment. If you’re grounded and have all your five senses in place, you’re in the present and are simply responding to what is happening. I often get asked for tips on being more spontaneous. I respond by asking for their name and when they reply, I say, "If you can reply to your name, you can respond in your own style when you host because, essentially, you’re present and simply responding." The irony is that spontaneity gets better the more you get on stage. We have curated a free public speaking course called ‘lifecycle of public speaking’, showing the various stages one has to go through to be comfortable being themselves and expressing in front of a sea of audiences. In it, we say that spontaneity, just like bodybuilding, will come with your ability to withstand stress. In the beginning, when you lift heavy weights, it gets too much, but eventually, you’re able to lift them with the least resistance. The weight hasn’t changed; what has is your ability to withstand it. So, practice, practice and some more practice.
In your opinion, what qualities are essential for a successful anchor or emcee?
Authenticity is numbers one, two and three because it's that important. Fourth, I'd say, is hardworking, as it requires years of honing your skill in front of an audience, so mistakes are also public, as is the embarrassment that follows. Fifth is the ability to accept mistakes and still go on. I remember back in my school days, whenever I would make a fumble in my assemblies, I would always take the next day off to recoup and process the mistakes. So, take a day off if you have to, make note of the mistakes, and prepare for them in your next show.
As an anchor, how do you strike a balance between being professional and building a rapport with the audience?
It's like being the life of the party while still being the person who organised it. Friendly yet authoritative, informal in a very formal way... Being extreme in either is never recommended, no matter the show, as formality also marks respect, which is essential. A mix of 65 per cent formal and 35 per cent informal and you’re good.
What trends do you see in the event hosting industry and how do you adapt to them?
I see more polished professionals stepping into roles as anchors and emcees, being subject matter experts while moderating. The anchors and emcees are not just the voice and the face of the show; they are expected to also be the brains of the show. This is great for anyone who loves to learn and share their experiences.
Do you have any tips for aspiring anchors or emcees who want to excel in this field?
Strike a balance between authenticity and adaptability. The first will create your brand, but the second will ensure brands want to partner with you. Have immense respect for your audience, for you are representing them on stage. It’s completely natural to get stage fright even for someone who is doing this for a living; it just goes to show you’re doing something important. And yes, don’t forget to have fun.
Lastly, what legacy do you hope to leave in the event-hosting industry?
I aim to be remembered as someone who brought life, energy, and innovation to the industry, leaving a lasting impression on my lovely audience and my amazing clientele.
