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Mediocre Dancers But Junta's Favourite!
NACH BALIYE'S HITEN-GAURI
RIDE HIGH ON PUBLIC SUPPORT!
I'M QUITE aware that this interview is going to make a lot of people very happy! And I'm not referring to the main subjects, Hiten and Gauri, when I make a sweeping statement. The fact is, that Showtime has never received so many requests for an interview with a particular star/ stars ever, as we have for television's golden couple, Hiten Tejwani and Gauri Pradhan. Their ever-expanding fan following continues to astound us with their massive support and devotion.
I'm also aware that this one interview, which has been in the making since more than a year. It's been frustrating, exasperating and highly annoying at times to, what with their maddening shooting schedules and our extremely delayed photo-shoot. But, I don't think this interview could have come at a more opportune time.
We're right in the middle of Star One's Nach Baliye 2 and there's much speculation about Hiten and Gauri's performance, with their detractors not wasting a single opportunity to bring them down while their fans continue to the do the opposite! They just can't stop voting!
The remarkable thing is that both Hiten and Gauri remain completely unaffected with all that's happening around them. For them, it really is just a dance show, nothing else and nothing more. And the only reason they're a part of this, is their fans. Gauri elucidates, "We had been asked to participate in the show last year as well. But we didn't even have enough time then. After that, we had one year in hand, to convince our producers about taking some time off, to be a part of it the second time around. Basically, we're doing this for our fans. I won't say we'd decided last year only, but yeah, we did have an idea that we would be approached again this year."
At this point, Hiten speaks up, "The experience has been so good. We never thought we'd come so far. After all, we aren't exactly the best dancers in the show. But slowly, we've started getting involved in the dancing bit. We're enjoying it as much as we do acting. Initially, we weren't that serious and weren't enjoying it at all but now we're totally in the dancing groove."
Gauri adds, "To say that I didn't enjoy dancing would be the biggest understatement. I used to run away when people would ask me to dance. But now I'm very comfortable. I've started enjoying it thanks to our choreographer. It's not a task anymore."
Both agree that they're quite overwhelmed with the immense fan support that they've been getting right since Round 1. But then 36,000 votes from one fan can bring that feeling on, right? "I didn't even believe initially, that one person could send so many votes," says Gauri, decidedly amazed. "I don't know what to say. I can only thank all my fans and tell them not to go out of their way to send votes for us. Do concentrate on other aspects of your life as well."
Says Hiten, "I really don't know how to react. I've spoken to our fans and they always tell us, 'We want you to win. We want you to be happy. And seeing you happy, we'll feel happy. So even of people tell us to stop, we won't stop voting!' What do I say to that? As Gauri said, we have got into this for them. Everyone knows dancing is not our cup of tea. But even last year, we got calls from all over asking us why weren't in the show? They kept telling us throughout the year that when Nach Baliye 2 happens, you have to take part. We obviously couldn't ignore their request."
Accolades, but obviously, are accompanied by brickbats. And there are several critics out there, who attribute Hiten and Gauri's success to the audience votes alone. "But that's the format of the show, isn't it?" questions Gauri. "If any other couple or critic has a problem, then they shouldn't have taken part in the first place. Because we are not good dancers and we still took part. And we've reached this stage deservedly. Its not like we're here only because of audience votes. We're working hard, maybe more than anyone else. We totally deserve it."
What about the new format, which has given the couple the power to pick, who stays in the show and who gets ousted? "We don't approve of it at all," says Hiten emphatically. "Who are we to decide? How can it be left to us to pick who stays or who goes? But then that's the format of the show, and we have to accept it."
Gauri agrees wholeheartedly. "Nobody approves of it. We ourselves aren't good dancers, so who are we to take a call on this? But since it's the format of the show, we really don't have a say in it. We have to go ahead. However, you do have one option. It's up to you to vote the best couple in. That is in our hands. That's when you should forget about the competition. I'm very righteous in life and I always do the right thing. So I'm happy that atleast I have the liberty to vote for the better couple. And that's what Hiten and I have been doing. I don't know about others."
It's also been observed that unlike the other couples, the dance competition doesn't seem to be a do-or-die situation for Hiten and Gauri. There's no unnecessary dramebaazi, no shedding of tears. At the same time, there's no over-exultant reaction to praise either. "That's because we didn't get into the show thinking we have to win it," explains Hiten.
Gauri interrupts, "Even if we get out at this stage, we're happy that we've learnt to dance. It's not at all a do-or-die thing for us. At the same time, it doesn't mean we're taking this casually. We're working extremely hard. I've never worked so hard for anything in my life. But even if we don't make it till the end, it's okay. At least we, we tried our best."
My next question gets the couple to share a capricious smile. Are they voting for themselves? "Everybody is voting for themselves and so are we," says Hiten, as honest as can be.
Looking at the amazing number of votes coming in their name every week, do they need to vote for themselves? "We don't need to but sometimes when we're sitting doing nothing, we send in a couple of votes. Or maybe when we get a 10-minute break during rehearsals, we put in our votes again. That's it. Where's the time really?"
Has Nach Baliye 2 made them discover themselves a couple again? Especially now that they're together to spend more time together than before. Says Hiten, "We knew everything that we had to about each other. It's only we're getting more time now to spend with one another."
"But it's not the same," adds Gauri. "That's because we're totally into our dance. You can't call it quality time at all."
Who calls the shot with regards to the dance moves on the floor? "Hail Hitler!" says Hiten gesturing towards Gauri. "It's Gauri of course. I have no problems. You should know dance to change the steps. I agree with whatever she wants to do."
Gauri explains, I'm very particular about everything. So if I feel that something is not looking nice on me, then I will make sure that I won't do that step." I can't help but ask Hiten if he's the quintessential husband? "Well, you can say that. I always maintain that the wife is always right."
There's also the general assumption that Hiten's the genial one while Gauri is the snooty, arrogant one. Why do people feel she has a major attitude problem? "I don't know why they feel like that," she says, completely unperturbed. "I don't react to it at all. It's okay. I don't really care. I have my friends, my family and my husband with me. So why should I care what other people think about me?"
She continues, "Basically, I'm a total introvert. If I meet someone for the first time, I can't start talking to him or her immediately. I need some time to open up. I prefer to sit in a corner with a book, while even shooting. Even if I know people, I like to be on my own. If people want to think I'm a snob and have an attitude problem, then I really can't help it."
Drifting back to Nach… what have they planned after the show winds up? "I want a holiday," says Gauri plaintively.
"Everyone wants a vacation after Nach… it's so tiring managing shooting with rehearsals. You never know, all us couples might just end up vacationing together," states Hiten.
We've already told Ekta to please give us a break. I'm sure she knows how hard Hiten and I have been working. I don't think she should have a problem."
And when do they plan to start a family? "I don't know. Maybe on this holiday," says Gauri laughingly. Now that is news that should get all Hiten-Gauri fans super-excited!
As I take my leave, the couple is all set to set the dance floow ablaze in yet another round. But they make it a point to thank their fans for always being there. "We are very lucky to have so many people supporting us always. We will try our best to achieve what they want us to. We at least promise to put up a decent performance every time," says Hiten gratefully.
Gauri has the last word, "They motivate us to perform better everytime. Thank you so much for voting for us. We're here because of you, so please keep loving us the way you do." Well Gauri, that shouldn't be a problem at all!
NACH BALIYE'S HITEN-GAURI
RIDE HIGH ON PUBLIC SUPPORT!
I'M QUITE aware that this interview is going to make a lot of people very happy! And I'm not referring to the main subjects, Hiten and Gauri, when I make a sweeping statement. The fact is, that Showtime has never received so many requests for an interview with a particular star/ stars ever, as we have for television's golden couple, Hiten Tejwani and Gauri Pradhan. Their ever-expanding fan following continues to astound us with their massive support and devotion.
I'm also aware that this one interview, which has been in the making since more than a year. It's been frustrating, exasperating and highly annoying at times to, what with their maddening shooting schedules and our extremely delayed photo-shoot. But, I don't think this interview could have come at a more opportune time.
We're right in the middle of Star One's Nach Baliye 2 and there's much speculation about Hiten and Gauri's performance, with their detractors not wasting a single opportunity to bring them down while their fans continue to the do the opposite! They just can't stop voting!
The remarkable thing is that both Hiten and Gauri remain completely unaffected with all that's happening around them. For them, it really is just a dance show, nothing else and nothing more. And the only reason they're a part of this, is their fans. Gauri elucidates, "We had been asked to participate in the show last year as well. But we didn't even have enough time then. After that, we had one year in hand, to convince our producers about taking some time off, to be a part of it the second time around. Basically, we're doing this for our fans. I won't say we'd decided last year only, but yeah, we did have an idea that we would be approached again this year."
At this point, Hiten speaks up, "The experience has been so good. We never thought we'd come so far. After all, we aren't exactly the best dancers in the show. But slowly, we've started getting involved in the dancing bit. We're enjoying it as much as we do acting. Initially, we weren't that serious and weren't enjoying it at all but now we're totally in the dancing groove."
Gauri adds, "To say that I didn't enjoy dancing would be the biggest understatement. I used to run away when people would ask me to dance. But now I'm very comfortable. I've started enjoying it thanks to our choreographer. It's not a task anymore."
Both agree that they're quite overwhelmed with the immense fan support that they've been getting right since Round 1. But then 36,000 votes from one fan can bring that feeling on, right? "I didn't even believe initially, that one person could send so many votes," says Gauri, decidedly amazed. "I don't know what to say. I can only thank all my fans and tell them not to go out of their way to send votes for us. Do concentrate on other aspects of your life as well."
Says Hiten, "I really don't know how to react. I've spoken to our fans and they always tell us, 'We want you to win. We want you to be happy. And seeing you happy, we'll feel happy. So even of people tell us to stop, we won't stop voting!' What do I say to that? As Gauri said, we have got into this for them. Everyone knows dancing is not our cup of tea. But even last year, we got calls from all over asking us why weren't in the show? They kept telling us throughout the year that when Nach Baliye 2 happens, you have to take part. We obviously couldn't ignore their request."
Accolades, but obviously, are accompanied by brickbats. And there are several critics out there, who attribute Hiten and Gauri's success to the audience votes alone. "But that's the format of the show, isn't it?" questions Gauri. "If any other couple or critic has a problem, then they shouldn't have taken part in the first place. Because we are not good dancers and we still took part. And we've reached this stage deservedly. Its not like we're here only because of audience votes. We're working hard, maybe more than anyone else. We totally deserve it."
What about the new format, which has given the couple the power to pick, who stays in the show and who gets ousted? "We don't approve of it at all," says Hiten emphatically. "Who are we to decide? How can it be left to us to pick who stays or who goes? But then that's the format of the show, and we have to accept it."
Gauri agrees wholeheartedly. "Nobody approves of it. We ourselves aren't good dancers, so who are we to take a call on this? But since it's the format of the show, we really don't have a say in it. We have to go ahead. However, you do have one option. It's up to you to vote the best couple in. That is in our hands. That's when you should forget about the competition. I'm very righteous in life and I always do the right thing. So I'm happy that atleast I have the liberty to vote for the better couple. And that's what Hiten and I have been doing. I don't know about others."
It's also been observed that unlike the other couples, the dance competition doesn't seem to be a do-or-die situation for Hiten and Gauri. There's no unnecessary dramebaazi, no shedding of tears. At the same time, there's no over-exultant reaction to praise either. "That's because we didn't get into the show thinking we have to win it," explains Hiten.
Gauri interrupts, "Even if we get out at this stage, we're happy that we've learnt to dance. It's not at all a do-or-die thing for us. At the same time, it doesn't mean we're taking this casually. We're working extremely hard. I've never worked so hard for anything in my life. But even if we don't make it till the end, it's okay. At least we, we tried our best."
My next question gets the couple to share a capricious smile. Are they voting for themselves? "Everybody is voting for themselves and so are we," says Hiten, as honest as can be.
Looking at the amazing number of votes coming in their name every week, do they need to vote for themselves? "We don't need to but sometimes when we're sitting doing nothing, we send in a couple of votes. Or maybe when we get a 10-minute break during rehearsals, we put in our votes again. That's it. Where's the time really?"
Has Nach Baliye 2 made them discover themselves a couple again? Especially now that they're together to spend more time together than before. Says Hiten, "We knew everything that we had to about each other. It's only we're getting more time now to spend with one another."
"But it's not the same," adds Gauri. "That's because we're totally into our dance. You can't call it quality time at all."
Who calls the shot with regards to the dance moves on the floor? "Hail Hitler!" says Hiten gesturing towards Gauri. "It's Gauri of course. I have no problems. You should know dance to change the steps. I agree with whatever she wants to do."
Gauri explains, I'm very particular about everything. So if I feel that something is not looking nice on me, then I will make sure that I won't do that step." I can't help but ask Hiten if he's the quintessential husband? "Well, you can say that. I always maintain that the wife is always right."
There's also the general assumption that Hiten's the genial one while Gauri is the snooty, arrogant one. Why do people feel she has a major attitude problem? "I don't know why they feel like that," she says, completely unperturbed. "I don't react to it at all. It's okay. I don't really care. I have my friends, my family and my husband with me. So why should I care what other people think about me?"
She continues, "Basically, I'm a total introvert. If I meet someone for the first time, I can't start talking to him or her immediately. I need some time to open up. I prefer to sit in a corner with a book, while even shooting. Even if I know people, I like to be on my own. If people want to think I'm a snob and have an attitude problem, then I really can't help it."
Drifting back to Nach… what have they planned after the show winds up? "I want a holiday," says Gauri plaintively.
"Everyone wants a vacation after Nach… it's so tiring managing shooting with rehearsals. You never know, all us couples might just end up vacationing together," states Hiten.
We've already told Ekta to please give us a break. I'm sure she knows how hard Hiten and I have been working. I don't think she should have a problem."
And when do they plan to start a family? "I don't know. Maybe on this holiday," says Gauri laughingly. Now that is news that should get all Hiten-Gauri fans super-excited!
As I take my leave, the couple is all set to set the dance floow ablaze in yet another round. But they make it a point to thank their fans for always being there. "We are very lucky to have so many people supporting us always. We will try our best to achieve what they want us to. We at least promise to put up a decent performance every time," says Hiten gratefully.
Gauri has the last word, "They motivate us to perform better everytime. Thank you so much for voting for us. We're here because of you, so please keep loving us the way you do." Well Gauri, that shouldn't be a problem at all!
Bindi
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Jodha Akbar
