VJ Nash: Initially, I faced a lot of dislike; I had the most hate clubs on Orkut back then

Imagine this: Flashback 20 years – rushing home from school, hurrying to the TV, tuning into your favorite channel, dialing that landline number, chatting with the charming host, and watching your favorite song. What a time it was!
If you’re a 90s kid from Kerala, the charming host that likely comes to mind is none other than the iconic Nash, the sensation of that time. Love or hate him, he has a special place in your childhood memories. Two decades later, we caught up exclusively with the ever-charismatic Nash, whose unique style and charm remain as strong as ever.
"I am truly overwhelmed. The love I continue to receive from people is priceless. It is the only true love in my life, and I’m certain it will never fade away," he expressed with excitement.
Did you know that Nash was selected as the host while he was simply dropping off a friend for an anchor hunt? Yes, you heard that right!
"Yeah, I went to the audition location just to drop my friend off. While he went in, I was casually hanging out near my bike when a gentleman approached me. I recognized him from the same bike garage we both used. Seeing me there, he asked, 'Why don’t you try out for the audition?' He mentioned he had noticed me because of my style. I told him I wasn’t interested, and then he asked, 'Do you like to talk?' I quickly replied, 'Yeah,' and he said, 'Then try talking in front of the camera!' And that was my completely unexpected entry into showbiz. The funny part? My friend, who actually went for the audition, didn’t make it!" he recalled.
Back in the days when men with unique styles were called 'freaken' in Kerala, Nash was undoubtedly one of the most celebrated ones. He openly admits that his distinctive style also attracted a lot of hate during that time.
"When I started the show, I was met with a lot of hatred and dislike. Back in the Orkut era, I had the most number of hate clubs. I didn’t understand what was wrong – I was just being myself. I often wondered about people’s attitudes back then. If someone from the North or another country did the same thing, it was celebrated. But when someone from our own Kerala tried it, it was considered bizarre. No regrets, though. I’ve received both immense love and intense hate. There were people who adored me, and then there were others who would even make spitting gestures when they came near me," Nash shared.
However, Nash is thrilled to see how society has evolved and to witness the styles he pioneered back then still ruling the hearts of the younger generation. Despite receiving mixed reactions from society, there’s no denying that Nash enjoyed a massive fan following for his unique anchoring style, which was truly a fresh change in Kerala TV at the time.
"I love to talk, talk, and talk. I did the same on my shows too. Every time a call came in, I spoke to the callers like they were friends. I was, and still am, a huge fan of Nikhil Chinnappa. I think his style has influenced me a lot. My only intention was to entertain people, whether through my style or my interactions, and that's what I did," he stated.
In the current time where LIVE TV shows are rare, Nash surprises with his story of hosting a 6-hour live show.
"Two of my colleagues couldn’t make it to the office, and one show had some technical issues, so I ended up hosting 6 shows in total. Honestly, I could still do it. I loved what I was doing. The studio felt more like a second home to me," he shared.
When we asked the most anticipated question, "Where are you, Nash? Why aren’t we seeing you on TV?", the evergreen anchor humorously replied that no one has been calling him!
"Yes, I’m not getting called by anyone. Maybe there’s nothing for me to do on TV right now. I do some freelance work and have acted in a few movies. I’m happy and enjoying every bit of life. Even though I’m not on TV or very active on social media, it’s a privilege that people still recognize me. Even if they don’t smile or start a conversation, people pause when they see me, and recollect who I am. What more do I need?" he concluded.