Are you missing Remo and Madhuri on Jhalak? I am.
The 8th season of the popular dance reality show, christened Jhalak Dikhhla Ja Reloaded, lacks the gravitas its judging panel normally brings to the table.
As someone who has watched pretty much every season of this adaptation of the BBC show Strictly Come Dancing, I'm a tad disappointed with the 8th season, called Jhalak Dikhhla Ja Reloaded. The show that debuted in September 2006, has always kept the spotlight on dance by pairing a celebrity with a professional choreographer/dancer, and the trio of judges has been able to deliver pretty much spot-on verdicts. The hosts, too, play a huge role in making this show what it is.
But here's my problem. In the past few years, Remo D'Souza, Madhuri Dixit, and Karan Johar had built up a certain camaraderie and their judging was almost always impeccable. Even the jokes and harmless flirtations (Bharti Singh and Remo, or Manish Paul and Madhuri) were fun but never overdone to the point of taking away from the show. This year though, Karan Johar looks like the headmaster of a bunch of kids, and in serious risk of succumbing to the bored-of-judging disease. Without the company of esteemed judges, he really seems like he's holding on to the reins of the show, but can't go on much longer. I'm not surprised that rumour has it that he'll be quitting after eight episodes. Watch him on India's Got Talent, though, and you'll know what I mean. Given the fact that the judges haven't changed for a while (Kirron Kher, Malaika Arora Khan and Karan) there is a certain relationship and history that ties you to the other members on the panel and it lends a legacy to the show. It also helps to pick up the threads with the audience where you left off last season. A panel, well chosen, brings out the best in each other.
Remo D'Souza, Madhuri Dixit, Alia Bhatt, Karan Johar and Varun Dhawan
This year's big Bollywood judge, Shahid Kapoor, fresh off his marriage, is one of India's finest dancers, so his dancing ability is not at all in question. But, riding the Segway, sitting cross-legged without a desk, and encouraging contestants by jumping onto the stage in a jiffy, Shahid comes across more as an excited, energizer bunny than a judge who is to be taken seriously. Lauren Gottleib, a past contestant, and an international dancer, comes across as very young to be a judge, and the fact that she's struggling with the Hindi doesn't help either. After all, she's barely begun her Bollywood career, while Madhuri was a veteran. No, we're not comparing, but if there's going to be one woman on the show as a judge, then she should be someone everyone at least knows of and whom most contestants aspire to be like. I haven't warmed up to Ganesh Hegde either; it's not like he hasn't been around for ages, he just doesn't have the gentle charm that Remo innately possesses--even when Remo was criticizing, he did it with a smile and boy, was he revered. When he stood up and said 'Now that's what I call a performance' or 'This is it' the entire audience would explode. And I never thought I'd say this, but even Madhuri's 'Maar Daala' or Karan Johar's 'Badtameez performance' are little elements that added to the show. This year, taglines are completely missing.
Madhuri Dixit Nene was a 'perrfect' judge for the show.
In Jhalak, if it weren't for Manish Paul, and his fantastic hosting, there would be absolutely hardly any connect to the past. He's hosted it with Ranvir Shorey, with Kapil Sharma, and with Bharti Singh, but this year he finds himself alone, subjected to silly gags like being bound and kidnapped for Rs 50.
Shahid Kapoor, Manish Paul, Karan Johar
Will Remo, who is now on Dance+, the brand new dance show debuting on Star Plus later this month, make that dance show a more compelling watch than Jhalak now that Nach Baliye is over? Let's wait and see.
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