When Jhalak war turned ugly - Article

By Subhash K Jha

If last year it was a straight-on war between the Punjabi and Maharashtrian finalists Mona Singh and Sveta Salve, this year the war is between two other primary female contenders for the winner's crown on Jhalak Dikhla Jaa.

And this time too it was two teekhi ladies from Punjab and Maharashtra competing ferociously against one another. Apparently the rivalry, albeit healthy and productive, between Sonali Kulkarni and Sandhya Mridul was so intense that it spilled over even to their respective choreographers Toby Sonali and Javed Sandhya

Says a source from the Jhalak team, " There were striking similarities between the two contestants. While Mona and Sveta last year were Punjabi and Marathi, this year too the two main female competitors were from identical backgrounds. Coincidentally Mona Singh's choreographer Toby is now with Sonali."

Apparently Sonali is so possessive about Toby that she can't bear to hear any comments about him.

Continues the Jhalak source, "The week when Rohit Roy reprimanded Mona Singh for favouring Toby because he was her choreographer last year, Sonali turned around and accused Rohit of favouring his brother Ronit.

Sonali was definitely getting more aggressive with every passing week. Both Sonali and Sandhya were known as serious actresses.

They have both transformed into tikhi mirchi on the dance floor. In fact the Jhalak judges can't believe the sizzling makeover in the two actresses personalities."

On one Friday when regular judge Shiamak Davar was substituted by guest-judge Bipasha Basu she commented on the grand show put up by Sandhya and Sonali.

Says the Jhalak source. "While Sandhya did dance with friends at parties, etc, Sonali is totally new to the dancing game. As she inches her way into the finals she's growing more and more conscious of her responsibility towards herself."

Speaking on the obvious rivalry with Sonali, the devil-may-care Sandhya replies, "Frankly the only person I'm in competition with is myself.

After getting full 30 marks from the three judges four times in a row I've only my own standards to live up to. I truly love Sonali and I'm glad she's here in Jhalak…. with me. We're growing together doing something we both haven't done before dancing) in spite of both of us being actresses.

There were great positive vibes between us. And since we were the only two contestants from the film fraternity we stood by one another."

Remind her that the competitive spirit between the two actresses was there for all to see, and Sandhya shrugs, "I dance only for myself, just as I act only for myself even if I'm co-starring with Rani or Konkona. I've no time to think of competition. Staying true to myself is a full-time job!"

Adds Sonali Kulkarni, "Competition with Sandhya was fantastic. It's nice to have a healthy competition where everyone is putting in their best. I don't like to be in a contest where everyone is average and I am the best.

I liked Sandhya's dance as everytime she came up with nice performances. Off stage we had a friendly relationship."