Hosting is a craft, says influencer amid Alia Bhatt debate. Mini Mathur concurs
A recent debate sparked by a clip of Alia Bhatt hosting the Screen Awards highlighted the difference between acting and live hosting skills. Mini Mathur supported the view that hosting is a specialised craft requiring experience and spontaneity, not just star power.
A fresh debate around who should host film awards shows has gathered momentum online, with television host and actor Mini Mathur weighing in on the conversation.
The discussion began after a content creator, known by the Instagram handle ‘Its Janani’, shared a clip from the Screen Awards 2026 featuring Alia Bhatt on hosting duties. In her post, Janani argued that Bollywood often assigns hosting roles to actors, despite the job demanding a specialised skill set.
'Hosting isn't the same as acting'
“Bollywood awards shows keep putting actors in host seats and wondering why it feels awkward. Being charming on screen and being able to command a live stage are two completely different skills,” she wrote.
The creator further pointed out that in the West, hosting is typically handled by professionals trained in improvisation, timing and audience engagement. "There’s a reason the West has professional hosts. Hosting requires improv, timing, and the ability to recover when a joke doesn’t land. That’s a craft. And it’s not the same craft as acting (sic)," she said.
She clarified that her point was not directed at any individual. “This isn’t about Alia. It’s about an industry that confuses fame with versatility, and sets people up to fail,” the post added.
Mini Mathur agrees
Mini Mathur responded to the video, echoing the sentiment. “Thank you. Someone finally said it,” she commented, signalling her agreement with the larger argument about the craft of hosting.
The exchange quickly drew attention, with several users backing the idea that anchoring live events requires a different skill set than acting. Responding to Mathur’s comment, the original creator wrote, “Yesss please show them how it’s done (sic),” while another user praised the host, calling her the “GOAT”.
The conversation has once again spotlighted the distinction between screen presence and stage command — two overlapping but ultimately different abilities. While actors often bring star value to award shows, many believe that live hosting demands a separate kind of expertise, one that seasoned presenters have honed over the years.
As the debate continues, the focus remains on recognising hosting as a craft in its own right — one that goes beyond celebrity and leans heavily on experience, spontaneity and audience connect.
A fresh debate around who should host film awards shows has gathered momentum online, with television host and actor Mini Mathur weighing in on the conversation.
The discussion began after a content creator, known by the Instagram handle ‘Its Janani’, shared a clip from the Screen Awards 2026 featuring Alia Bhatt on hosting duties. In her post, Janani argued that Bollywood often assigns hosting roles to actors, despite the job demanding a specialised skill set.
'Hosting isn't the same as acting'
“Bollywood awards shows keep putting actors in host seats and wondering why it feels awkward. Being charming on screen and being able to command a live stage are two completely different skills,” she wrote.
The creator further pointed out that in the West, hosting is typically handled by professionals trained in improvisation, timing and audience engagement. "There’s a reason the West has professional hosts. Hosting requires improv, timing, and the ability to recover when a joke doesn’t land. That’s a craft. And it’s not the same craft as acting (sic)," she said.
She clarified that her point was not directed at any individual. “This isn’t about Alia. It’s about an industry that confuses fame with versatility, and sets people up to fail,” the post added.
Mini Mathur agrees
Mini Mathur responded to the video, echoing the sentiment. “Thank you. Someone finally said it,” she commented, signalling her agreement with the larger argument about the craft of hosting.
The exchange quickly drew attention, with several users backing the idea that anchoring live events requires a different skill set than acting. Responding to Mathur’s comment, the original creator wrote, “Yesss please show them how it’s done (sic),” while another user praised the host, calling her the “GOAT”.
The conversation has once again spotlighted the distinction between screen presence and stage command — two overlapping but ultimately different abilities. While actors often bring star value to award shows, many believe that live hosting demands a separate kind of expertise, one that seasoned presenters have honed over the years.
As the debate continues, the focus remains on recognising hosting as a craft in its own right — one that goes beyond celebrity and leans heavily on experience, spontaneity and audience connect.
