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Monika

@monika.goel

Sparkler

Posted: 18 years ago

#121

Toby leaves Mona stranded!

Nuzhat Aziz

Tuesday, October 17, 2006 18:50 IST

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Mona Singh is quite upset these days. After putting long hours and gruelling sessions of salsa, jive and rumba, Mona has finally reached the final round of 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa' (Sony). But she has been unable to practice for her gala rounds this week. Reason? Her choreographer has left for a dance tour to Australia without informing anyone.

According to sources close to the channel, Mona is extremely angry with Toby because he has not shown up for rehearsals for the last three days. And, this week, is quite crucial because the participants of 'Jhalak…' will have to put up three dance performances in one episode — which means more hours of practice. While Mona was not available for comments, the crew on the sets admit that the actor has been in a foul mood, the past few days. "The competition is hotting up and Mona is left all alone because her choreographer is away. But he needs to be back for the shoot of the elimination round. He should be back on Wednesday," reveals a source on conditions of anonymity.

Incidentally, Mona is so serious about scoring above the rest of the contestants (Mahesh Manjrekar and Shveta Salve) that she has even cancelled her promotional campaign. Sources in the channel say that Mona has refused to go to north India for the campaign to garner votes. She insists that she needs to practice and improve herself. Only time will tell whether her dedication and hard work pays off.

Edited by monika.goel - 18 years ago

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Monika

@monika.goel

Sparkler

Posted: 18 years ago

#122

Manjrekar ousted!

The actor-director will be eliminated from Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa tonight

Sapana Patil Poojary

Mahesh Manjrekar will be eliminated from Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa tonight.

When contacted, Manjrekar confirms the news. "Yes, I got eliminated. Frankly, I knew I wouldn't win. It is a competition and somebody or the other has to get eliminated. I am taking my failure in my stride," he says.

Mahesh adds, "Actually I have never danced in my life. My friends would always get embarrassed when I hit the dance floor. So, I thought that I would be eliminated in the first round itself. But the fact that I am getting out in the fifth round proves that somewhere people love me. My choreographer Sonia Jaffer's trust in me helped me pull through the several stages of the competition. Sometimes, I felt that maybe I had the potential to dance, but just needed to be trained. And I am thankful to Sonia for bringing out the dancer in me."

Mahesh continues, "I am feeling a little bad at being eliminated but I admit I don't deserve to be on the show beyond this point. Shveta Salve and Mona Singh are certainly better dancers than me. But I have had a great time on the show. I have discovered a 'new me'. Not only have I lost 7 kilos, but I also got the much-needed break. I had been feeling stagnated for a while and Jkalak Dikhhla Jaa has been a refreshing experience. I have realised dancing is the best form of meditation. Jkalak Dikhhla Jaa is a great show and it should continue several seasons. Now, I think it is time for me to concentrate on my films."

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Shruti

@shruti

Alumni

+ 9

Posted: 18 years ago

#123

'I will not age on 'screen

Whether Kahin to hoga goes off air or not, Aamna Sharif refuses to don the whitener

RACHNA KANWAR

Aamna Sharif has been in news lately for her not-so-cordial relations with her TV serial co-star Gurpreet Singh. Ask her about it and she rolls her dreamy eyes in exasperation. "I just don't want to give the topic any more importance than it deserves by talking about it. It is seriously quite trivial," she says. Aamna promptly goes on to her favourite topic after this and that happens to be her Star Plus serial Kahin To Hoga. There are rumours about a generation leap in the serial, so is she ready to go grey on screen? She almost leaps out of her silken skin to answer that, "No way, I will not age on screen. Ekta knows this. Ekta had something in mind where she was going to bring me back after the leap as a different character and not Kashish. Frankly, I have no idea about what's in store for me. I am confused myself whether it is ending or the leap is happening. I haven't asked them as I leave everything to the creative team. I have never interfered with them. I completely trust Ekta Kapoor and I am sure whatever she does, will be for the best. But as of now I am not quitting the serial," says Aamna.
Though just one serial old, Aamna has enjoyed phenomenal success and has acquired a mammoth fan following all across the globe. She doesn't hesitate even a bit to attribute her success to Ekta, "I am very grateful to Ekta. Whatever I am today is because of her and wherever I go from here I will always remember them for giving me this wonderful opportunity."
The girl is also all set to make her Bollywood debut next year. Though she is tight-lipped about her first film, she says that it'll happen by June next year and most probably it will be a love story that she is contemplating about. In the near future, there is more in store for Aamna fans apart from her ongoing serial. "After hearing a lot of concepts for a TV daily, I have liked something that again is a love story. It is completely different from what I have done in Kahin To Hoga. It is a beautiful story and the announcement will happen in the next 15-20 days." On being asked whether she and Rajeev Khandelwal, whom she is constantly linked with, were offered Nach Baliye, she denies the rumours and says that she was offered Jhalak Dikhla Ja instead. She had declined the offer as she said she can't do 'something like that'.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/

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Monika

@monika.goel

Sparkler

Posted: 18 years ago

#124

It's testing time on Jhalak...!

The two deserving contestants of Jhalak Dikhla Jaa, Shveta Salve and Mona Singh come face to face in the last competitive segment of the show tonight. The two put their best foot forward to waltz away into winning votes for the finals. Each of the dance divas perform three rounds of Latin American dances sending the audiences into a tizzy.
The voting lines will get jammed as the entire nation picks up their phones to bail out their favourite. However the nation seems to be raving about Mona's dancing prowess more as she turned out to be the dark horse from being a non-dancer to dancing away into people's hearts like a pro. While Shveta Salve seems to have always given us a jhalak of her right moves, but we will have to wait for finals!

Edited by monika.goel - 18 years ago

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Shruti

@shruti

Alumni

+ 9

Posted: 18 years ago

#125

All dressed up and nowhere to go...

Actress Shilpa Shetty is home alone this Diwali

Subhash K Jha

It's a lonely Diwali for actress Shilpa Shetty. "You see, this is the first Diwali when mom isn't in town. She's with my sister Shamita in Cape Town. That leaves me and Dad alone at home for Diwali. Being the woman of the house for Diwali isn't easy. And I'm finding that out. I've to buy everything from the decorations to the food. But no crackers for us. Every time one bursts, my pets hide under the sofa. Even I feel like joining them there," she bursts into laughter.

"Our home is dismayingly empty right now. The soonapan would have killed me if it were not for work. Jhalak Dikhlaa Jaa has filled the lacuna very nicely. It has been an amazing experience," she says.

Shilpa has already said 'yes' to Season 2 of Jhalak Dikhlaa Jaa, "I don't know about Sanjay Bhansali and Farah Khan. But I'm definitely in for the second season. When Jhalak… returns at this time next year I certainly want to be part of it."

Any plans of finding love in this festive season? "First, love has to find me, no? My mother says those who are unlucky in love finally find the right spouse.When you're a known face men seem to get intimidated. They approach you either too formally or too casually. There's never a balance."

Meanwhile, she has found good chemistry on screen with Kay Kay menon in Anurag Basu's Metro.

"I don't know what it is," giggles Shilpa. "It's just so amazing. KK is such a powerhouse of intensity. I'm far more spontaneous. When we come together, something amazing happens. To top it, we're shooting in the rains. So it's like fire and water. It's never happened before. I want to do more films with KK. He's an amazing co-star," says Shipa.

http://www.mumbaimirror.com/nmirror/mmpaper.asp?sectid=10&am p;articleid=10202006033419531020200603156500

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Shruti

@shruti

Alumni

+ 9

Posted: 18 years ago

#126

Come undone!
By: Vickey Lalwani
October 20, 2006

Anusha Dandekar

Many a star will testify that costumes often come undone during one of their many stage performances.

And MTV VJ Anusha Dandekar hasn't been spared the embarrassment either. But we really like the girl's spunk. For despite one of the buttons of her harem pants coming undone during a guest performance on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, she continued her act as if nothing had happened.

No malfunction

The episode was shot on Tuesday this week, in which director Mahesh Manjrekar was eliminated. Incidentally, Manjrekar gave Anusha her break in Bollywood with Viruddh, where she played daughter-in-law to Amitabh Bachchan's character.

While performing to the pop number Lut gaye, the button tying her harem pants to her right ankle came off. This in turn lifted the right side of her pants way up during one of her steps. Anusha was visibly embarrassed for a second or two, but quickly recovered and continued dancing without a fuss.

Dandekar said that such things happen while performing at events or shows. "The button did come off and I wasn't expecting it. But it's okay. It's not like my blouse fell off that I should feel embarrassed. This cannot be defined as wardrobe malfunction."

http://www.mid-day.com/hitlist/2006/october/145297.htm

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Monika

@monika.goel

Sparkler

Posted: 18 years ago

#127

'I am on top of the world'

Shveta Salve shares her thoughts on being a finalist in the dance based show

Usha Thomas

The final performance had both finalists of 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa' (Sony), Shveta Salve and Mona Singh, perform to three different dance forms. Shveta and Longinus' first performance was to the energetic disco number 'Jab chaaye mera jadoo', followed by a traditional koli song, which she dedicated to her parents and the entire koli community from which she hails. And, her last number- a cha cha cha dance based on 'Tu meri maina'-had the audience on their feet.
Catching up with the final contender on how she felt scoring the highest marks in this last deciding episode, Shveta Salve says, "I never imagined that I would reach here in this contest. I am on top of the world."
Asked how she would feel if she won, she is all smiles and says, "It will bring me immense happiness to know that so many viewers have supported me. When I first signed up, I used to consider myself as the smallest, most insignificant person amongst the huge line up of senior galaxy of celebs. I thought I would lose myself among them and did not stand a chance to be even noticed. But the judge's appreciation and the people's support has been a huge reason for me working harder and harder and more determined to give a great performance each time."
And if she lost it after coming so far, she quips, "The fact that I made it so far is huge and I proved a point that a complete non-dancer like me could learn so many different dance forms."
What made her join this show? "I am fond of dancing and have always wanted to learn it, but never got down to it. And, here, I learnt so many dance forms in a span of two months. On hearing the concept, I just had to be a part of it," enthuses Shveta.
On how the rigorous training and long rehearsals has changed her as a person, Shveta quips, "I have learnt so much about myself. My perseverance and mental strength has been tested to the maximum. It is a different ballgame being in a contest. As actors, we are sheltered and have a different routine. Here, there is an unbelievable edge of the seat suspense and excitement till the very last moment."
She wishes to thank all who chose Longinus as her choreographer. "I am just a puppet in his hands and I only execute his instructions. He is well versed in his craft and his experience shows in all our performances," says Shveta.
When Shipa Shetty says that Shveta has the "Talent, charm and the body language" to make a perfect dancer and Sanjay Leela Bhansali is floored by her performances and always remarks, "You have the natural instincts to be a dancer", how does it make her feel? Very humbly she says, "I am touched by the judge's praises and that is a reward in itself".
t_usha@dnaindia.net

Edited by monika.goel - 18 years ago

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@virgoqueen

Inactive

Posted: 18 years ago

#128

Weight loss, cha cha cha!
By: Tushar Joshi
October 21, 2006

Mona Singh

There was a time when Mona Singh's sudden weight gain was a hot topic of discussion in the media. "Can you believe they even called me obese?" says the actress.

Today, the former Jassi has silenced her critics by losing oodles of weight sweating it during Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. In fact, Mona plans to sign up for regular dance classes to keep fit now.

"I am too lazy to go and sweat it out in the gym. I've realised that dancing is more fun. I don't think I have sweated as much as much as I did during Jhalak. Not only is it an enjoyable experience, but it's also been extremely rewarding."

No rest

These days Mona is travelling around the city to campaign for the Sony dance show.

"I was in Lokhandwala (Andheri) the other day, dancing away to the tunes of a Bhangra song. In the coming days, I plan to go to Chandigarh and Delhi and ask people to vote. At the end of the day, it is the audience who will choose the winner."

Even though she had an onscreen makeover in Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin, Mona says her transformation on Jhalak is remarkable. "I could never imagine I was capable of dancing. I have not only shocked my parents and friends, but myself as well."

Under pressure

Singh says that since she was the youngest and least experienced among the contestants, there was more pressure to perform. "This is my second show after Jassi. I think considering these conditions, things have worked quite favourably for me."

Post Jhalak she has no plans of unwinding. She says, "I have realised that I'm a workaholic. I am glad there is so much work to do. But I won't get stuck into a rigorous schedule. After I take on a new daily, I will work 20 days and keep 10 for myself to rest and chill out."

Edited by virgoqueen - 18 years ago

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Shruti

@shruti

Alumni

+ 9

Posted: 18 years ago

#129

Mona goes shopping...

...for vegetables, groceries and votes

Recently, Mona Singh, aka Jassi, was spotted in the busy lanes of Lokhandwala campaigning for votes for Jhalak Dikkhla Jaa.

The crowd there went berserk when Mona met the local bhajiwalas and shopkeepers. Knowing Mona's popularity as the bespectacled Jassi, she shouldn't really have any problems getting votes. This popularity was proved yet again when she was repeatedly asked, "Did you really wear soda glasses and how did you manage to look so ugly?" by the crowds.

An embarrassed Mona tried to ignore the question and asked in return, "Do you think I'm a good dancer?" Do you doubt your dancing abilities, Ms Singh?

http://www.mumbaimirror.com/nmirror/mmpaper.asp?sectid=19&am p;articleid=102120063955984102120063723796

Edited by Manoj_Tina fan - 18 years ago

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Shruti

@shruti

Alumni

+ 9

Posted: 18 years ago

#130

Archana Puran Singh, the vivacious actress and host, is having a good time co-anchoring Jhalak Dikhla Jaa with hubby Parmeet Sethi. "The best part is that I am working with Parmeet and we are being paid very well. Besides, the level of dancing is very good. What I like most about the show is that it has raised the bar of dance to a higher level by mixing Bollywood with Western and Latin forms of dance," says Archana who feels Jhalak has taken the genre of reality dance shows to an altogether different league. "It's quite different from the typical Bollywood dancing that we get to see in such shows."

"In fact, my mother who is 75 years old didn't like the show in the beginning because she couldn't understand salsa, samba, rumba and cha-cha-cha style of dancing. She found it boring to begin with but now she has changed her opinion. She finds it very graceful and stylish," she adds. According to Archana, Jhalak has brought in lot of awareness about ballroom dancing and suddenly people are talking highly about it.

"The mixture of Bollywood and Latin-Western dance has worked very well, thanks to BBC, the original format holder of the show, which was very particular about keeping the show's format intact," she reveals. Jhalak has entered the last leg of the competition and Archana feels viewers shouldn't act complacent when it comes to voting for their favourite contestant.

"Ajay Jadeja lost by a small margin of votes. It would be very sad if a good dancer loses because of a lack of support from the viewers," says Archana who feels Mona Singh is a sheer revelation in the show. "She has the best graph and the widest curves. Her journey from being a raw to an excellent dancer is amazing. Shveta Salve is not only a very good dancer but she keeps improving every week." However, in Archana's opinion the ability to dance alone will not decide the winner.

"A contestant's popularity will play a crucial role as well. People go to see a Shah Rukh Khan film because he is a star and not because he is the best actor in the industry. Naseeruddin Shah is the best actor but he is not a star and therefore his films don't become as big hits as that of Shah Rukh, Aamir, Salman or Akshay," she says.

Going by Archana's logic, Mona Singh's chances of winning the Jhalak title are very bright. "Talent-wise Shveta is good but I feel Mona has better chances, given her popularity as a television star. Jassi is still fresh in people's mind. Besides, her innocence and old-world charm and the ability to cover the entire stage gracefully might work in her favour," feels Archana.

http://www.deccan.com/TV%20Guide/TV%20GuideDescription.asp#' Mona%20Singh%20has%20the%20best%20graph'