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Farah Khan wanted Akashdeep out!

The choreographer-turned-director felt people might question her judgment on her former flame in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa

Shaheen Parkar
shaheen@mid-day.com

Farah Khan and Akashdeep Saigal (Ansh of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi) will once again come face-to-face in the Sony dance show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. Farah is one of the judges, along with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Shilpa Shetty, while Akashdeep is among the eight contestants of the desi version of BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, more popularly known as Dancing With The Stars in America.
Uneasy?
To jog your memory, Farah and Akashdeep were quite the couple around town a few years ago. We still recall that at awards functions, she rattled off many names in her 'thank you' list, among which was also a "thank you, Akash."
The couple later split and went their separate ways. Today, Farah is happily married to editor-turned-director Shirish Kunder, who makes his big screen directorial debut with Sajid Nadiadwala's Jaan-E-Mann. Akashdeep has also been spotted in the company of Nicole, a UK-based singer trying to make it big in India.
It is reliably learnt that Farah was irked when she realised that Akashdeep was one of the contestants on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. Apparently, she told Sony not to have Akashdeep on board otherwise she would not participate in the show. She had initially agreed to do the show due to her old association with Sony (she is also a judge on Indian Idol). Farah then left for the US to choreograph Shakira's dance number at the MTV Video Music Awards in New York.
Wanted to back out
Back in Mumbai over the weekend, Farah was rattled when she learnt about Akashdeep's presence in the contest. On Monday, she was actually in two minds about continuing on the show. It is learnt that she called up the channel on Monday, questioning them about why they had gone ahead with Akashdeep's inclusion. But by then, it was too late for her to back out as the channel had already splashed the names of the contestants and judges. Her displeasure also rattled the channel but it was too late to take any action.
When asked about the developments, Farah said she was not in a position to make any comments as she is under contract with Sony.
No bitterness
But a channel source says, "Initially, Farah was reluctant to be the judge as she thought people might question her judgment of Akashdeep. But her husband Shirish convinced her to go ahead. Both Akashdeep and Farah are professionals and have moved on in life. When they parted, it was on amicable terms and there was no bitterness. So it seemed pointless for either of them to opt out."
On Tuesday, all the judges and participants had a technical rehearsal as well as photo shoots. Adds an onlooker from the sets, "Both Farah and Akashdeep greeted each other warmly. There was no awkwardness between them. All the three judges, Shilpa, Farah and Sanjay wished all the contestants and even ribbed Mahesh Manjrekar saying that he was representing Bollywood so he had better dance well."
So it was a case of all's well that end's well, with Akashdeep all set to showcase his jhatkas to Farah.

Sony to launch adaptation of 'Dancing With the Stars' in September
Reality shows and Sony Entertainment Television (SET) go hand in hand and have more or less become synonymous with each other.

Having already launched Indian Idol, Fame Gurukul and Fear Factor and with the buzz being high on upcoming new launches like Big Brother and Extreme Makeover; comes another adaptation of the ABC's reality show Dancing With the Stars on Sony.

The Indian adaptation - Jhalak Dikhla Ja - will be co-produced by Siddhartha Basu's Synergy Communications and Theatre Red and is scheduled to launch in the first week of September. Jhalak Dikhla Ja will be a bi-weekly show and will involve a high level of audience participation and viewer interactivity.

Dancing with the Stars is the American version of the BBC TV series Strictly Come Dancing. The concept of the show is to pair a celebrity with a professional dancer in an attempt to win a high score from a panel of three judges and then a majority of votes from the viewers, who can call in or vote online.

The person who receives the lowest score is eliminated. SET India senior vice president and programming head Anupama Mondloi says, "We will have celebrities from different walks of life like television, Bollywood, cricket and hospitality industry." When queried as to how Jhalak Dikhla Ja will be different from Star One's successful show - Nach Baliye - which was based on the same lines, Mondloi says, "All shows have certain amount of similarities whether it is a soap or a reality show.

The key differentiator of Jhalak Dikhla Ja will be the viewer interaction. We will be looking at having maximum touch points for viewers to select their favourite celebrity and choreographer pair." As per the original format, phone lines open at the beginning of each show for viewers to vote for their favorite couples and stay open for 30 minutes after the show ends.

The couple with the lowest score is knocked out of the competition and one couple will be knocked out of the competition each week, starting with the first week. Online voting options are also made available and only one vote per email address is allowed.

With its pulse firmly on the reality meter, Sony will be launching the local version of Big Brother in November this year. On the other hand, Extreme Makeover will launch sometime early next year along with the second season of Fear Factor India. Another reality show on the cards is Paisa Bhaari Padega. The subsequent seasons of Indian Idol and Fame Gurukul also cannot be dismissed altogether!

Only time will tell whether the reality overdose will eventually lead to viewer fatigue on Sony; but it's worth keeping in mind that reality shows are just spurts in the overall programming scenario and hence Sony will also have to pull up their socks on some high voltage drama and fiction front.

Here come the hotsteppers

Choreographer Sandip Soparrkar talks about the eight contests of Sony's Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa

Shaheen Parkar
shaheen@mid-day.com

For the last couple of weeks, choreographer Sandip Soparrkar has been doing the rounds of several rehearsal rooms overseeing the dance practices of the Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa contestants. As the dance consultant for the Sony reality show, his task is to ensure that the international dance forms appeal to the Indian viewer. "It's a 'Bollywoodisation' of salsa, jive and cha cha for the contest," says Soparrkar, as he shares details about the eight participants and their choreographers. The show airs from September 7.
Mahesh Manjrekar and Sonia Jaffer
He has added a fun element to his dancing. That should earn him a lot of points. Mahesh has infused humour into his steps that the viewer will definitely like. He is dancing with a band around his waist due to a bad back. Even though Latin American dancing is alien to him, he's been moving very well. He is a director and is used to barking orders, so here you should see him taking instructions from Sonia!
Pooja Bedi and Hanif Hilal
Pooja is hot and has a beautiful body and so does Hanif. In Latin American dance forms, apart from the dance it is also the chemistry between the couple that matters. In their case, it works wonderfully as that bit of flirting enhances their performance.

Akashdeep Saigal and Bindi Khare

He's a stud and she's a beauty. That makes for a hot, sexy combo. As Akashdeep is busy with his television commitments, they rehearse late at night. The chopped tresses make him look great and his negative persona will change once people see him on the dance floor. He's extremely agile and that's clear from the way he lifts and drops Bindi at every step.

Shveta Salve and Longines Fernandes

She is a good dancer; moves beautifully and this adds to her performance. She and Longines make a great couple as they match physically thanks to their body structure. They look nice together and this will translate in their performance.

Ajay Jadeja and Rea Krishnatraye

He is rehearsing in New Delhi and the tapes keep flying to and fro. His playboy image seeps into his dance steps. You can feel those seductive steps on the dance floor in keeping with his flamboyant image.

Sanjeev Kapoor and Nicole Alvaris

It was quite bold of Sanjeev to take part as all the other contestants are related to showbiz. But now he can dance as superbly as he can cook. I thought he would not be able to do a good job but he has been a big surprise. I've been proved wrong after seeing him do the waltz. All his Khaza Khazana contestants have a big shock in store. He is spicing up his dance and how!

Rati Agnihotri and Feroz Khan

Despite a bad back and foot due to past injuries, Rati is the most dedicated of the lot. She has a fixed rehearsal schedule and even though she is a senior actress she is the most dutiful student with the choreographer. She does exactly what is told.

Mona Singh and Toby

She is gung-ho into it and the stellar performance shows. Mona seems to be having a particularly good time dancing.

Here's what happened last night!

For those of you who missed it, HiTLIST went backstage on Sony's Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and caught all the action as it happened

Last night, the inaugural episode of what is touted as Sony's big ticket, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, went on air. For those who missed the show, here is what happened at Famous Studios, Mahalaxmi. Eight celebrities, including Mahesh Manjrekar, Ajay Jadeja, Rati Agnihotri, Akashdeep Saigal, Sanjeev Kapoor, Pooja Bedi, Mona Singh and Shveta Salve, are putting their best foot forward for judges Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Shilpa Shetty and Farah Khan. The show has been produced by Siddhartha Basu, and is the desi version of the hit American show, Dancing With The Stars.
Watching Bittu
Show anchors Archana Puran Singh and hubby Parmeet Sethi are a very protective couple! On the first day, Archana was maha helpful to Parmeet (nicknamed Bittu). Considering that Archana has a lot of experience anchoring shows, she kept a watchful eye on Parmeet. He kept asking for instructions and on one occasion, she was behind the stage and could not reach him. She took everyone by surprise when she took the mike and requested someone to attend to his request!
Not without my kids
Mahesh Manjrekar, who shocked everyone by his performance, seems to be the most popular participant. He came with his daughter and son for the show. Every time he was on the set, he would blow kisses at them. Even after the performance, when the anchors asked him how he felt about his dance, he checked with his daughter. She, of course, gleefully cheered him on!
No oil cookbook
Sanjeev Kapoor's perform-ance also had the judges absolutely surprised. His wife Alyona was present, besides a huge group of friends and family cheering him on. Farah Khan asked him for a copy of his no-oil cookbook and the moment the shoot was over, the book was delivered to Farah. Kapoor believes in churning out everything like his delicacies, including books. Also Kapoor, who literally enters every kitchen in India week after week through his show, has a maid to cook for the family! At home, he never enters the kitchen. He is the master of
Last night, the inaugural episode of what is touted as Sony's big ticket, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, went on air. For those who missed the show, here is what happened at Famous Studios, Mahalaxmi. Eight celebrities, including Mahesh Manjrekar, Ajay Jadeja, Rati Agnihotri, Akashdeep Saigal, Sanjeev Kapoor, Pooja Bedi, Mona Singh and Shveta Salve, are putting their best foot forward for judges Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Shilpa Shetty and Farah Khan. The show has been produced by Siddhartha Basu, and is the desi version of the hit American show, Dancing With The Stars.
Watching Bittu
Show anchors Archana Puran Singh and hubby Parmeet Sethi are a very protective couple! On the first day, Archana was maha helpful to Parmeet (nicknamed Bittu). Considering that Archana has a lot of experience anchoring shows, she kept a watchful eye on Parmeet. He kept asking for instructions and on one occasion, she was behind the stage and could not reach him. She took everyone by surprise when she took the mike and requested someone to attend to his request!
Not without my kids
Mahesh Manjrekar, who shocked everyone by his performance, seems to be the most popular participant. He came with his daughter and son for the show. Every time he was on the set, he would blow kisses at them.

The deal with the channel fell through after the actor asked for a huge amount

BHARTI DUBEY Times News Network

Another reality dance show, Jhalak Dikhla Ja, will feature celebrities who will hone their dancing skills, assisted by ace choreographers

Reena Thapar Kapoor

Shveta Salve
"I can dance well. Well, I'd like to believe that. But I also know that I'm going to be competing with the very best. Now is the time to prove my worth. I'm a bit nervous but at the same time I'm confident of my capabilities."

Rati Aglihotri
"I believe, if you are an actress you have to be a good dancer as well. I'm a trained dancer but here I am not competing with my colleagues. While some are young, others are of my age. We just have to wait and see what happens!

Mahesh Manjrekar
"I'm a director and an actor as well. I think, my vision as a director will help me hone my dancing skills. Though I must confess that I'm not a fabulous dancer and that's unnerving. Let's see what's in store for me!"

Sanjeev Kapoor
"I can dance well. Well, I'd like to believe that. But I also know that I'm going to be competing with the very best. Now is the time to prove my worth. I'm a bit nervous, but at the same time, I'm confident of my capabilities."

Mona Singh
"I'm told that Punjabis are great dancers. I feel that after Jhalak Dikhla Ja, I'll be ready to rock and roll on the big screen as well. I know that I'm going to be competing with the biggies, but I'm not bad either."

Pooja Bedi
"Dancing off screen is entirely different from what we see on-screen. I can't recall the last time I wore my dancing shoes. Here, you have to be in tandem with your choreographer and do several rehearsals. Hopefully, I'll be able to pull it off."

Akashdeep Saigal
"I do everything with great conviction. I've participated in this competition only because I'm sure of myself. If I were a mediocre dancer I'd never have taken a risk. Though it's a tough competition, I hope to do well."

Ajay Jadeja
"I'm quite comfortable in front of the camera. But I admit that it's not going to be a cakewalk for me. I will make sure that I don't goof-up. I'll try my level best not to disappoint the judges."

Aao twist karein!

The preview of the show 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa…' (Sony) gave glimpses of a chef, filmmaker, cricketer and TV actors put on their dancing shoes.

The reality show which will go on air next month has eight participants from different fields paired up with professional choreographers. What's interesting is that none of the celebrities are trained dancers.

The show will be judged by filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, choreographer Farah Khan and actor Shilpa Shetty. The participants will also be judged by viewers voting for them.

Jhalak of the show

USP: 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa' is reality dance show which is based on the international format 'Dancing with the Stars'.
Prize money: Rs 50 lakhs
Judges: Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Farah Khan and Shilpa Shetty.

Punch shots: