Now, dancing with our stars
August 24, 2006
The war between the Star and Sony Hindi channels has been on forever, be it through soap operas or reality shows. In the latest twist, both of them have announced 'new' dance competitions with celebrity participants. After Nach Baliye's success last year, it was natural that Star would have a sequel up its sleeve. What was unexpected was Sony's answer to Star -- Jhalak Dikhla Jaa: Dancing with the Stars.
Produced by Synergy Communications (makers of Kaun Banega Crorepati) and Theatre Red, Jhalak's format is owned by BBC and has been a huge success across 27 countries. Jhalak... will invite viewers to vote for their favourite contestant jodi, with a 50:50 importance given to audience and judge votes. The pair with the lowest score will be eliminated each week. Voting lines will be open for five days, starting with the day of the performance.
The show wil be launched on September 7, 2006. It is a unique reality-based dance format show that brings together celebrities from different walks of life. They will team up with a professional dancer to perform on a highly competitive stage. The panel of judges includes filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, choreographer-turned-director Farah Khan and actress Shilpa Shetty. Star couple Archana Puran Singh and Parmeet Sethi will anchor the show. Shilpa was initially hesitant bus said, "my passion and love for dancing made me say 'Yes!'"
The show will be telecast every Wednesday and Thursday at 10 pm. Here's a Jhalak of the star pairs:
Mona Singh & Toby
Mona Singh became a TV icon playing the lovable ugly-duckling Jassi in Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin. After bagging the Best actress award at the Indian Telly Awards, 2005. She is bracing up now for her Bollywood debut later this year. In this dance contest, she has been paired up with Toby, a handsome and young choreographer who teaches salsa, jazz and contemporary dance forms. A self-trained dancer, Toby has choreographed shows for singers Suneeta Rao, Mehnaz, Shaan, Leslie Lewis and Anu Malik.
"I have never participated in any dance contest in the past," exclaims Mona. "All I did was the usual Balle balle at school and college! So I am very excited about this new show. Toby is a very hard taskmaster and we are practising very hard almost four-five hours a day. Trust me, that is not easy. I have complete faith in Toby."
The hard taskmaster, on the other hand, is all praise for Mona. "She is practising very hard and is extremely focussed. There are times when she is dripping with sweat all over -- since we turn off the airconditioner while rehearsing -- but she never complains and continues to dance non-stop."
Text: Srabanti Chakraborty | Design: Reuben
Advertisement
