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'We have won Nach Baliye because of our fans' votes'

Actors Rithvik Dhanjani and girlfriend Asha Negi discuss their big Nach Baliye win.

Television actors Rithvik Dhanjani and girlfriend Asha Negi performed consistently well from the beginning of Nach Baliye 6. On Saturday, they won the title. 

The winners took home a cash price of Rs 35 lakh along with a new Renault Duster and a trip to Australia.  

The actors became popular with the daily soap Pavithra Rishta. They became friends on the sets and have been dating for some time. 

They had to juggle between two shows (Pavitra Rishta and Nach Baliye). But the end result was worth it, they tell Rajul Hegde in this interview.

Do you think you have won because of your fans? 

Rithvik: Yes. There is no doubt about it. We have won the title because of their votes. 

From the beginning we kept in mind that we had to give our best performance. 

We wanted to win the show and really worked hard for it. We are happy to have won the title. 

Asha: We gave our best performance every time but it is because of the constant support of our fans that we won the title. 

Rithvik and I were confident of winning. There was never a moment when we lost confidence. 

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'There was a time when we had almost decided to quit'

So how much of hard work has gone into it?

Rithvik: It’s not only us; every couple has worked hard.

We have given up our sleep but made sure we gave our best to our performances.

We covered almost every dance form; once we even got injured during a performance.

Asha: There was a time when we had almost decided to quit (when they were injured). But Rithivik’s hard work and spirit kept me motivated.

'To make Asha dance on her toes round the clock was a difficult task because she needs her own sweet time to get out of her laziness!'

What was most challenging? 

Rithvik: To make Asha dance on her toes round the clock was a difficult task because she needs her own sweet time to get out of her laziness!

She has done a great job. We (the choreographers and us) kept shouting at her to rehearse. She gets cranky when she doesn't get enough sleep.

We got to see so much of each other that we can be together with each other for the rest of our lives!

Asha: I used to get so tired after the shoot (of Pavitra Rishta) that they (Rithvik and the choreographers) literally had to persuade me every day to perform.

Struggling between two shows was not easy for us.

It was tough for me to meet Rithvik's energy levels. So he had to tone down his energy level while I did a lot of hard work to improve myself.

We managed to bridge the gap. All this has made our bond stronger. Now I can proudly say to the world that I am a dancer (smiles).

How do you rate Asha as a dancer now?

Rithvik: She has become an exceptionally good dancer. She can stand on her own as a great dancer and compete with anybody.

'Gurmeet and Debina surprised us with their acts'

Who were your toughest competitors?

Rithvik: It was Gurmeet Choudhary and Debina Bonerjeee.

They always gave good performances. They surprised us with their acts. It was challenging to compete with them.

You lost to Gurmeet in the fifth season of Jhalak Dikhlaa Jaa.

Rithvik: Yes, but this time Lady Luck was with me.

I have been friends with Gurmeet for a long time. He was one of the few friends I called when I was offered this show.

He knows the feeling of winning the title; now I am experiencing it (smiles).

'Rithvik is planning to buy a house for his mom'

Which was your memorable moment on the show?

Rithvik: The memorable moment on the show was when I proposed to Asha and sang a song for her.

How are you going to spend your prize money?

Asha: Rithvik is planning to buy a house for his mom and I am thinking of making some investments.

What next?

Rithvik: We are going to visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar as it is our mannat (vow) if we won.

Then we will go to Australia.