« Back to article

Print this article

Kushal: If I was called a superior dancer, why was I eliminated?

'I wish the counting process was more transparent.'

Kushal Punjabi is 'confused' about his elimination on Jhalak Dhikhhla Jaa.

Kushal Punjabi was considered among the strongest contestants on the dance show Jhalak Dikhhlaa Jaa, so his elimination last weekend came as a surprise.

Kushal talks to Rajul Hegde about his shocking elimination and his first film as a writer.

Your elimination was a surprise since you had earned good points in the last four weeks on the show.

Yes, it was more shocking for my fans than me.

I am more confused.

Karan (Johar, one of the judges) said that I am a superior dancer than Kiku Sharda, but his concept was better than mine.

So I am a tad confused about what was expected of me since I was told that the show is all about dance.

If I am called a superior dancer then what is the logic behind my elimination?

The concept is something that the choreographers and channel decide.

I was also told that I couldn’t garner enough votes. I wish the counting process was more transparent.

Please click Next to see more.

'I am not a trained or certified professional dancer'

Do you think entering the show as a wild card was a disadvantage and the reason you were evicted?

I don't think so, because all my performances were good.

The contestants, who were on the show from the start, had one month’s training and had been performing for six weeks before I entered the show.

Still, I managed to outscore some of them. I got good feedback from the judges as well as the audience.

I think that was the best moment on the sets. I know that wild cards rarely win on such shows, but that can change if there is more transparency in the voting process.

You seemed to be very comfortable dancing. Are you a trained dancer?

I took dance lessons for about a year-and-a-half and did a few small shows. That was at the age of 19.

It's been quite a few years since I have danced, but I love dancing.

I am not a trained or certified professional dancer.

'Kiku is a good dancer and I have nothing against him'

Do you regret doing this dance show?

No. I have given ‘wow’ performances and I feel great being a part of this show as I have improved in many aspects.

Did you make friends on the show?

Yes, Shakti (Mohan) and Tara Jean (Popowich).

Kiku is a friend from my college days. He is a good dancer and I have nothing against him.

'I am hoping that my stint on Jhalak will be noticed and I get good offers'

Who do you think will win the title?

The format of the show is all about the journey of a non-dancer to a dancer. In that sense I feel Ashish (Sharma) or Mouni (Roy) will win.

But if you go entirely by the dancing skills, then I feel Shakti is the winner hands down.

Will you do more television shows?

Yes. I would love to do more reality shows.

I am an adventurous person. I would like to host travel based shows.

I am hoping that my stint on Jhalak will be noticed and I get good offers.

'I have written the story for Pariwar Times'

What will you do next?

I just completed shooting for the film Pariwar Times. It revolves around a dysfunctional family of seven members.

I play one of the members. Prakash Jha is producing the film.

Besides acting in it, I have written the story for this film with two of my friends who have worked on the screenplay.

It’s in post-production and will release by the end of the year.