Do aur do... Naach

Do aur do... Naach

Anil Merani
Posted online: Friday, October 21, 2005 at 0000 hours IST

Television star couples dance show on Star One, which premiered last week is creating waves already. Everybody wants to know, who among the chosen ten lucky couples will be crowned the Nach Baliye champions. This week will see one couple eliminated from the competition. Screen goes on the sets to find out what's happening behind the scenes... It's a sunny day and we arrive on the Nach Baliye set which is erected at Film City. Just beside the set is a large Ganesh Idol which we are sure all the couples must be bowing to before stepping in. As we enter, Sai Deodhar and hubby Shakti Anand are rehearsing for the song 'Just Chill...' After watching them for some time, we go backstage, where life-size cut-outs of all the couples are put up. Delnaz Paul and Rajeev Paul are checking them out.

The beautiful set designed by Nitin Desai, is full of cameras and lights, which are used to shoot the couples in different angles during their dance routine. Poor Rohit Roy and Manasi Joshi Roy are troubled by the fact that due to some technical glitch, they have to repeat their steps again and again. On the positive side, they are getting good practice right. Manasi admitted that she was not good in the first round and promised that she would be better in the next. She felt that she was trying too hard and that was taking away the spontaneity.

In a bid to be fair, Star One has not allowed the contestants to choose their own choreographers or the song on which they had to dance, all this was chosen by lot. In a bid to maintain audience loyalty, the channel has followed the trend of similar other shows, and has also given the public the right to choose the winner, besides the judges by phoneing in or smsing their choice. It seems a golden time for telecom companies thanks to such shows.

Delnaaz and Rajiv who rehearse for three hours a days for their song 'It's the time to disco...' invite us for a chat. Both are very proud of the fact that the channel has chosen them from a lot of highly talented industry couples. Rajiv who doesn't regard himself as a dancer jokingly told his choreographer that he is in for tough time. Luckily for him, Raju said that as long as he is ready to work hard there should be no problem. Delnaz on the other hand doesn't have any such problems as she's worked with none other than Farah Khan.

Since the show also records the stars during their rehearsal and back stage activities, Rajiv said that initially cameras did trouble them, but soon they got used to them. At first, they even tried to be on their best behaviour but soon they started acting normally. As this couple frequently argued, some of which will also be shown on the show, the crew has given the name Jhagduala couple. Other couples have also been given titles according to their personality. Rajeev is grateful to his choreographer for giving him simple steps.

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The oldest contestant of the lot, Sachin believes that the best part of the show is that since none of the couples are real dancers neither the judges nor the audience will expect to see a Prabhudeva in action. When asked as to how he felt competing with much younger actor, this famous Marathi film director said that dancing is not about age. Moreover, he felt that the fact that he and Supirya have always been energetic is a plus point in their favour.

Sachin who himself is a good dancer says that knowing that Supriya is not a good dancer he will under play so she does not look bad. It's this type of balance which the couples work out among themselves with the help of a choreographer. The most important part will be to see how they both jell. Star has smartly chosen married couples knowing that the chemistry between husband and wife will add to the charm of the show.

One of the couples was warned by a set executive that their performance was not up to mark and they better pull up their socks, besides he also asked them to spice up their activity of stage as well for this show is not only about dancing, but also how they act backstage.

Shakti Anand and Sai Deodhar were nervous in the beginning and still are but they believe that being a bit jittery helps you to concentrate more. They are full of praise for their choreographer who is ready to adjust to their odd times for rehearsal which goes past mid night at times. Of the judges, Shakti is most afraid of Farhan, who is a very good dancer himself. Sai says that Saroj Khan the other judge will surely be looking for grace more then complicated steps, as she herself has grace, and last but not the least, Mallika will focus on the style factor.

They are hopeful that seeing them perform they will be offered more dance shows. They also believe that this show will take television viewing to a new height.

Most participants say that working together with the other couples have really helped them to forge new friendships or renew old ones. Delnaz and Rajiv have become very friendly to Archana and Parmeeet Sethi. Some of them have become so close that they even point each others' flaws. Yet, when the lights go on and competition hots, everybody puts on their best performance, for there is space for only one couple on the top.

This show is not only about the actors, but will even help the chosen choreographers to make it big. Geeta, choreographer of anchor Sangita Gosh says that nobody is good or a bad dancer, it just depends on your confidence level. When asked to rank the best among the ten contestants, Sangita said that it's too early to say that as all are still getting into the groove time will only tell. However, her personal choice would be Rajeshwari as she has got some training. But she will have to see that hubby Varun is also comfortable which is the best part of the show.

The channel hopes that this show will help reach the number two slot, the top slot already held by sister channel Star Plus, seeing the enthusiasm of the stars and the work put in by the channel this may well happen...

PS - DONT KNOW IF IT WAS POSTED earlier.