'Nach'ed out of competition

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Posted: 18 years ago

'Nach'ed out of competition

Owing to Raja's illness, the couple has bowed of the show; Shweta's dreams of winning squashed

By: Vickey Lalwani

It's official: Shweta Tiwari and hubby Raja Chaudhary are out of Star One's dance show, Nach Baliye 2. This time, there's no Wild Card round to bring them back.

Raja, who has been admitted to Arogya Nidhi Hospital (Juhu) for a liver abscess, failed to turn up for the shooting of the performance on Wednesday evening (will be telecast next Monday). No special concession was given to the couple that had made a triumphant return to the show only last week. This time, they had no choice but to quit the competition.

Class act

Shweta kept hoping that Raja would be granted special leave for two hours, but the hospital authorities did not permit emotional reasons to dictate over medical requirements. The doctors at the hospital forbade Raja from any strenuous physical activity.

Raja then informed Shweta, who decided to perform with their choreo- grapher Sagar instead. At this point, Star One made it clear to her that she wouldn't be allotted any points but could go-ahead with her performance as a parting shot.

After her performance, the judges (Saroj Khan, Kunal Kohli and Malaika Arora) were visibly moved. They told her that she deserved 30 points for this act, and Shweta broke down.

Abrupt end

Our source at the shoot reveals, "Shweta was inconsolable backstage. Since the past few days, she has been hassled with her eye infection and then Raja fell sick on Sunday. She's had virtually no time to practise. It is sad that it happened to a gifted dancer like her. She dearly wanted to win this contest and she knew she could pull it off."

Feeling terribly disappointed that his health got in the way of the contest, Raja says, "The doctors said that any kind of hectic activity could prove dangerous. I eventually decided not to risk my health. In fact, I have been told not to dance for a month at least. The abscess is an infection caused by contaminated food. I have to take lots of care now."

Shweta is definitely disappointed by this abrupt end to their participation. "We may not perform even in the grand finale slated for December 18. It will be the doctor's call. Who would have thought that we'd go out like this? Life is full of uncertainties," she says.