by Subhash K Jha

Rendezvous With Simi Garewal returns on January 29, with an introductory episode featuring John Abraham.

Simi raves about her first guest. "John was an absolute eye-opener. Such a genuine, down-to-earth, honest-to-goodness guy. I'm yet to meet someone as deserving of his current success as John."

"I met his parents during the research for the Rendezvous and I know where John got his virtues. On Rendezvous he has spoken both about professional and personal pressures. I can't think of a better candidate for my inaugural episode."

But it's the post-inaugural segment, to be telecast in the first week of February 2006 which really proves Simi's strengths as a mover and shaker. She laughs.

"I don't know about that. But I've recorded the most exhausting Rendezvous ever. I've got Zayed Khan to come with his wife for their first together interview. In the first segment you'll see Zayed with his parents Sanjay and Zarine Khan. The second segment features Zayed and his three sisters. In the third I bring on the bride and the groom. Zayed is so lucky to get a wife like Maleika. What a lovely girl. They complement each other perfectly."

The episode was recorded on Tuesday evening and Star intends to project it as the season's USP on Star World.

Says Simi, "I'm really happy that my Rendezvous is on Star World. First of all I can't conduct my interviews in Hindi. And then Star World has taken my show to every corner of the world."