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Burn the dance floor, O kudiye...
Channels are determined to make celebrities dance to their tunes and stars too are more than willing to do the hip- hop. Shake a leg and make a booty, is their mantra. Every couple on Nach Baliye 2 is reportedly being paid Rs 11 lakhs besides the moolah they earn for rehearsals per day. With every round they clear, the couple earns extra points and lucre. The winning couple walks away with a prize money of Rs 59 lakhs while the runners-up stand to gain Rs 49 lakhs. No wonder, the stars are taking to the dance floor with a vengeance.
Last year there was only STAR One's Nach Baliye to lure the viewer and it straightaway raced to the top. This year Sony is giving competition with its version of the international hit dance show Dancing With The Stars. The latter has assembled a variety of celebrities from chef Sanjeev Kapoor, ex-cricketer Ajay Jadeja to director Mahesh Manjrekar.
The rest of them, however, are TV stars which include Mona Jassi Singh, Shveta Salve and Pooja Bedi.
Nach Baliye 2, on the other hand, has a head start as the viewers already know about it and are eagerly awaiting the second instalment. The TV couples who are all set to to put their best foot forward are hot and happening on the small-screen. As Sameer Nair, COO, STAR India puts it, "We had initially thought of doing a Dancing With The Stars but we realised that it would be difficult to get popular celebrities from different fields who are willing to dance. That's why we came up with our version of the show and it's been a runaway hit."
Both the channels have doled out an exorbitant amount to get top film personalities to judge their shows. Nach Baliye 2 continues with Saroj Khan and Malaika Arora while Farhan Akhtar makes way for Kunal Kohli. Sony had initially roped in Karisma Kapoor but the star asked for more than they were willing to pay and the deal fell through.
Now, Shilpa Shetty has been taken on as a judge along with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Farah Khan.
Both shows start rolling in September. The viewer is definitely in for a visual treat. Now, it remains to be seen which show will have the viewer doing a jig? Moves and grooves
Sony's dance show Jhalak Dikhlaja starts airing from September 7 every Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday will be the performance episode while Thursday will be the eliminating round. The first episode, however, is being aired on Thursday. Produced by Siddharta Basu, the show will have celebrities from different walks of life paired with a choreographer. It is being hosted by ex-Nach Baliye couple Archana puran Singh and Parmeet Sethi. The celebrities shortlisted for the show include:Mona Singh aka Jassi. She underwent the transformation from the ugly Jassi to the sexy Jessica in Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin. She is looking forward to making her debut in films and had won the Best Actress Award at the Indian Telly Awards in 2005. Pooja Bedi is best remembered for the Kamasutra condom campaign which she endorsed. She made her film debut in the film Vishkanya in 1991. Her most popular role was in Jeeta Wohi Sikander. She is hosting a celebrity talk show formerly titled. Now she is known for her Just Pooja aired on Zoom. Also turned author with two books, A Fit Pregnancy- A handbook for moms-to-be and Timepass, a biography of her mother, Protima Bedi. Shweta Salve is known for her roles in Kittie Party and Sarrkkar. A student from Sophia College she participated in the Gladrags Model Hunt and became the second winner in 1999. After that she did many ads and even dabbled in theatre with an English play. She also has a film Pyar Mein Kabhi Kabhi to her credit.
At the age of sixteen Rati Agnihotri played the female lead in the Tamil film Pudhiya Varpukkal (1979). She also starred in Telugu and Kannada films and acted in thirty-two films in South India in just three years. Her fame in South Indian films led to her starring role in the Hindi film Ek Duuje Ke Liye(1981) with Kamal. Sanjeev Kapoor is the most celebrated face of Indian cuisine today. At his best, he can be Chef Extraordinaire, TV show host, author of best selling cookbooks, restaurant consultant and winner of several culinary awards. Nominated for the "Best Executive Chef" in India by Food Service in 1993 and 1994 and winner of the award in 1995, he was also chosen for the Mercury Gold Award at IFCA Geneva (1993) for "Best Meal Concept and Creation". Sanjeev Kapoor one of the top chefs in India has authored many books and hosts the popular television cookery program Khana Khazanaa. Ajay Jadeja belongs to the Royal family of Nawanagar in Gujurat now known as Jamnagar. Ajay is a descendent of Duleep Singh and Ranjit Singh after whom the Ranji trophy is named. An exuberant batsman, and an incorrigible charmer off the field, Ajay Jadeja entered international cricket with an infectious effervescence that won hearts and matches. Mahesh Manjrekar started his acting career in 1984 with the Marathi play Aflatoon, which paved the way for him as an award winning producer with more plays like Dhyanimani, Doctor Tumhisuddha, Gidhade and Akashmaat to name a few. He has directed films like Vaastav, Astitva and Viruddh. Besides direction he has acted in several films including some of his own productions. Akashdeep Sehgal is best remembered as Ansh Gujral of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi... Twists and Turns
Last week STAR unveiled the 10 couples selected for their popular dance show Nach Baliye season 2. Like last time, this time too most of the couples are not ace dancers save for a Hussain or a Shweta Tiwari but everyone from Raja Choudhar to Rasik Dave is eager to put his/her best foot forward. Says Rasik, "The last time I danced was in college over two decades ago. But I am looking forward to a couple of things from the show. First and foremost it will help me lose weight which will make my wife extremely happy. It will be my gift to her after 25 years of marriage." Yet, when the couple got a call from STAR, it was Ketaki who was hesitant to give her nod. This despite the fact that she loves dancing. "I always wanted to dance. I joined films for that but only heroines got to do the jhatkas and then I did serials where there's no scope for dance," sighs Ketaki. The few times she has done the jig for the big screen was in Kal Ho Naa Ho and Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiyya. No wonder, Rasik who believes in taking up challenges coaxed her to be a part of the show. Such is his enthusiasm that despite having to take pain-killers after six hours of non-stop dancing, Rasik is gung-ho about the show. "I am getting used to it," he grins. For Hussain who is a brilliant dancer, the show is an opportunity to be paired with his wife for the first time on television. "Since she is not from the industry, there was no scope of us acting together. But Nach Baliye has brought us together on screen," he says fondly. And though Tina has watched each and every episode of Nach Baliye 1 and had a feeling that they would be called for season 2, when the offer actually came, she held back. "I had to do a lot of convincing. She was not very comfortable initially because she felt out of place," informs Hussain. A few rehearsals later, Tina who is a 'okay' dancer is slowly getting into the groove. When Kirti and Sharad Kelkar got a call from STAR they were all but set to don the dancing shoes. "We are a young and happening couple on television. We had to be called," says Kirti confidently. The couple which loves dancing and has a record of sorts for taking to the floor whole night at a celebration party is taking this opportunity to learn the right moves. Of the two, Kirti acknowledges Sharad as a better freestyle dancer. One couple that complements each other as far as body language goes is Gurdeep Kohli and Arjun Punj. "We both are good and the best part of the show is the chance to spend time with your better-half," smiles Arjun who will soon be seen in another STAR One show from September.x Another good dancer on the show Shweta Tiwari had to convince her husband Raja who has two left feet, to be a part of the show. "Dancing is my weakness but please I am not an accomplished dancer," pleads Kasauti Zindagi Kay's Prerna who is grateful to Balaji and STAR for sorting out her dates agreeably. Right now, the couple is just about loosening up with the rehearsals but Shweta has her eyes set on clearing the initial five rounds atleast. "I want to dance on as many new songs as possible and that will be possible by clearing all the rounds," she states. The other couples on the show include Tanaaz Currim-Bhaktiyar Irani, Shweta-Manav Goyal, Narayani Shastri-Gaurav Chopra, Gouri-Yash Tonk and Gauri-Hiten Tejwani. Though the basic format of the show remains the same, it has been tweaked a little to make it more interesting. Instead of 10 weeks, the show will be on for 13 weeks. There will be a wild card entry after the fifth episode wherein one of the eliminated couples can make a comeback. The judges remain the same save for Farhan Akhtar who is being replaced by Kunal Kohli. Saroj Khan and Malaika Arora will continue to give their expert comments. The hosts are yet to be decided but according to Sameer Nair, "the couples of Nach Baliye 1 will come onto the show as and when they are free to host and perform." That certainly is an added attraction to the eagerly awaited show. Though the date hasn't been fixed yet, the show starts rolling in mid-September.
Channels are determined to make celebrities dance to their tunes and stars too are more than willing to do the hip- hop. Shake a leg and make a booty, is their mantra. Every couple on Nach Baliye 2 is reportedly being paid Rs 11 lakhs besides the moolah they earn for rehearsals per day. With every round they clear, the couple earns extra points and lucre. The winning couple walks away with a prize money of Rs 59 lakhs while the runners-up stand to gain Rs 49 lakhs. No wonder, the stars are taking to the dance floor with a vengeance.
Last year there was only STAR One's Nach Baliye to lure the viewer and it straightaway raced to the top. This year Sony is giving competition with its version of the international hit dance show Dancing With The Stars. The latter has assembled a variety of celebrities from chef Sanjeev Kapoor, ex-cricketer Ajay Jadeja to director Mahesh Manjrekar.
The rest of them, however, are TV stars which include Mona Jassi Singh, Shveta Salve and Pooja Bedi.
Nach Baliye 2, on the other hand, has a head start as the viewers already know about it and are eagerly awaiting the second instalment. The TV couples who are all set to to put their best foot forward are hot and happening on the small-screen. As Sameer Nair, COO, STAR India puts it, "We had initially thought of doing a Dancing With The Stars but we realised that it would be difficult to get popular celebrities from different fields who are willing to dance. That's why we came up with our version of the show and it's been a runaway hit."
Both the channels have doled out an exorbitant amount to get top film personalities to judge their shows. Nach Baliye 2 continues with Saroj Khan and Malaika Arora while Farhan Akhtar makes way for Kunal Kohli. Sony had initially roped in Karisma Kapoor but the star asked for more than they were willing to pay and the deal fell through.
Now, Shilpa Shetty has been taken on as a judge along with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Farah Khan.
Both shows start rolling in September. The viewer is definitely in for a visual treat. Now, it remains to be seen which show will have the viewer doing a jig? Moves and grooves
Sony's dance show Jhalak Dikhlaja starts airing from September 7 every Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday will be the performance episode while Thursday will be the eliminating round. The first episode, however, is being aired on Thursday. Produced by Siddharta Basu, the show will have celebrities from different walks of life paired with a choreographer. It is being hosted by ex-Nach Baliye couple Archana puran Singh and Parmeet Sethi. The celebrities shortlisted for the show include:Mona Singh aka Jassi. She underwent the transformation from the ugly Jassi to the sexy Jessica in Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin. She is looking forward to making her debut in films and had won the Best Actress Award at the Indian Telly Awards in 2005. Pooja Bedi is best remembered for the Kamasutra condom campaign which she endorsed. She made her film debut in the film Vishkanya in 1991. Her most popular role was in Jeeta Wohi Sikander. She is hosting a celebrity talk show formerly titled. Now she is known for her Just Pooja aired on Zoom. Also turned author with two books, A Fit Pregnancy- A handbook for moms-to-be and Timepass, a biography of her mother, Protima Bedi. Shweta Salve is known for her roles in Kittie Party and Sarrkkar. A student from Sophia College she participated in the Gladrags Model Hunt and became the second winner in 1999. After that she did many ads and even dabbled in theatre with an English play. She also has a film Pyar Mein Kabhi Kabhi to her credit.
Last week STAR unveiled the 10 couples selected for their popular dance show Nach Baliye season 2. Like last time, this time too most of the couples are not ace dancers save for a Hussain or a Shweta Tiwari but everyone from Raja Choudhar to Rasik Dave is eager to put his/her best foot forward. Says Rasik, "The last time I danced was in college over two decades ago. But I am looking forward to a couple of things from the show. First and foremost it will help me lose weight which will make my wife extremely happy. It will be my gift to her after 25 years of marriage." Yet, when the couple got a call from STAR, it was Ketaki who was hesitant to give her nod. This despite the fact that she loves dancing. "I always wanted to dance. I joined films for that but only heroines got to do the jhatkas and then I did serials where there's no scope for dance," sighs Ketaki. The few times she has done the jig for the big screen was in Kal Ho Naa Ho and Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiyya. No wonder, Rasik who believes in taking up challenges coaxed her to be a part of the show. Such is his enthusiasm that despite having to take pain-killers after six hours of non-stop dancing, Rasik is gung-ho about the show. "I am getting used to it," he grins. For Hussain who is a brilliant dancer, the show is an opportunity to be paired with his wife for the first time on television. "Since she is not from the industry, there was no scope of us acting together. But Nach Baliye has brought us together on screen," he says fondly. And though Tina has watched each and every episode of Nach Baliye 1 and had a feeling that they would be called for season 2, when the offer actually came, she held back. "I had to do a lot of convincing. She was not very comfortable initially because she felt out of place," informs Hussain. A few rehearsals later, Tina who is a 'okay' dancer is slowly getting into the groove. When Kirti and Sharad Kelkar got a call from STAR they were all but set to don the dancing shoes. "We are a young and happening couple on television. We had to be called," says Kirti confidently. The couple which loves dancing and has a record of sorts for taking to the floor whole night at a celebration party is taking this opportunity to learn the right moves. Of the two, Kirti acknowledges Sharad as a better freestyle dancer. One couple that complements each other as far as body language goes is Gurdeep Kohli and Arjun Punj. "We both are good and the best part of the show is the chance to spend time with your better-half," smiles Arjun who will soon be seen in another STAR One show from September.x Another good dancer on the show Shweta Tiwari had to convince her husband Raja who has two left feet, to be a part of the show. "Dancing is my weakness but please I am not an accomplished dancer," pleads Kasauti Zindagi Kay's Prerna who is grateful to Balaji and STAR for sorting out her dates agreeably. Right now, the couple is just about loosening up with the rehearsals but Shweta has her eyes set on clearing the initial five rounds atleast. "I want to dance on as many new songs as possible and that will be possible by clearing all the rounds," she states. The other couples on the show include Tanaaz Currim-Bhaktiyar Irani, Shweta-Manav Goyal, Narayani Shastri-Gaurav Chopra, Gouri-Yash Tonk and Gauri-Hiten Tejwani. Though the basic format of the show remains the same, it has been tweaked a little to make it more interesting. Instead of 10 weeks, the show will be on for 13 weeks. There will be a wild card entry after the fifth episode wherein one of the eliminated couples can make a comeback. The judges remain the same save for Farhan Akhtar who is being replaced by Kunal Kohli. Saroj Khan and Malaika Arora will continue to give their expert comments. The hosts are yet to be decided but according to Sameer Nair, "the couples of Nach Baliye 1 will come onto the show as and when they are free to host and perform." That certainly is an added attraction to the eagerly awaited show. Though the date hasn't been fixed yet, the show starts rolling in mid-September.
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