“The moment you take her name, everyone remembers her as the Dream Girl”: Devanggana Chauhan shares her experience of hosting a show for Hema Malini

Mumbai: Actor, anchor and radio jockey Devanggana Chauhan, who was last seen in Sapnon Ki Chhalaang and has also featured in Saavi Ki Savaari and Dhadkan Zindagi Kii, recently appeared on the popular game show Wheel of Fortune, hosted by Bollywood star Akshay Kumar. In a recent interaction, Devanggana opened up about her recent experiences, including sharing the stage with veteran actor Hema Malini.
Speaking about the opportunity, she said, “Yes, in February I got a chance to open a show for Hema Malini ji. It was the opening of a jewellery store in Mumbai. The moment you take her name, everyone remembers her as the Dream Girl. I was very excited because it was the first time I was going to see her live, interact with her and perform alongside her.”
She added, “When she arrived, the charm and beauty she carried on her face was absolutely mesmerizing. It felt like I had seen her in real life, on television and in films all at once. The way she carries herself with grace and interacts with people is truly admirable. I felt that day she interacted with me the most, which made the experience even more special.”
Reflecting on the impact of the meeting, Devanggana said, “One thing I feel is that when I grow older, in my 60s or 70s, I hope I can have the same charm and grace as Hema Malini ji.”
The actor also spoke about co-hosting events with television personality Hussain Kuwajerwala. “I do a lot of corporate shows and I got the opportunity to host a few events with Hussain. When you work with someone who is already an OG in the industry, you learn a lot.”
She continued, “I tend to get a little hyper backstage when things go wrong, but Hussain is extremely calm. Whether it is a technical glitch or a production issue, he handles everything with composure. It was great hosting with him. I think he is the best co-host I have worked with so far.”
When asked if anchoring in the presence of A-list celebrities feels intimidating, Devanggana dismissed the idea. “No, I don’t find it intimidating. It is part and parcel of my job. I genuinely enjoy it, regardless of who is present. Sometimes it does get chaotic, especially with media and guests around, but handling that chaos calmly is what defines a good anchor.”
She also shared insights into changing trends in anchoring, especially after hosting the Grazia red carpet. “This was my second time hosting Grazia’s red carpet. It is always exciting to see celebrities in their most fashionable avatars.”
Talking about evolving styles, she said, “The traditional way of anchoring with formal greetings is now outdated. It has become more organic and candid. While you may have an outline, there is no rigid script. It is more impromptu, spontaneous and witty. Audiences today expect you to entertain, not just speak.”
Devanggana concluded that modern anchoring is about connecting with the audience in a natural and engaging way, blending spontaneity with entertainment.