article--Just beat It --nach baliye2

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Posted: 18 years ago

Just beat It

Anil Merani
Posted online: Friday, October 06, 2006 at 0000 hours IST

Just two episodes old and Nach Baliye contestants are already shedding their gloves.The snide comments, the bitchiness and competitiveness shows how high the stakes are... When we entered the set, the security guard gave us passes, which we had to show whenever we entered or left the set. Just like part one, the dance stage of part two is also beautiful. Full marks to set designer Omang Kumar. The audience was choc a blok with relatives of participants, choregraphers and even staff members jostling for sitting space. Some people were eased out after each of the 10 couples finished their routine to allow other folks to come in. The second episode based on village theme to be aired on Gandhi Jayanti was anchored by Rohit and Mansi, unlike the first season where all the 10 episodes were hosted by Shabir and Sangeeta. This time the couples of Nach Baliye 1 will host some of the episodes. Rohit dressed in a nice traditional outfit seemed to be having some trouble with the camera and tele-prompter prompter leading to arguments between both. The three judges arrived with Mallika Arora Khan looking as sexy as usual in a short dress designed by her sister in law, Seema Khan. Everybody seemed to miss, Farhan Akhtar, who was replaced by Kunal Kohli, and the trio was completed by the indominitable Saroj Khan. Kunal was really in his element speaking to contestants in rustic style, keeping the village theme in mind. It took some time before the show finally got going, with rocking performances by Gauri and Yash Tonk ('Ek pardesi mera...'), Raja and Shewta ('Radha kaise na jale...') and Tanaz Bhaktiar ('Bindiya chamke...' which put the audience in a real tizzy. Whistles and cat calls could be heard all over. During the lunch break we spoke to the participants on their performance. Poor Bhaktiar who was berated by the judges for putting in too much energy did not reply to our questions, while Yash was unhappy at the low points (20) he got despite the praise from the judges. Raja was all praise for Shewta, who he credited for the high ranks they got, "I am just standing; actually it's Shewta all the way." Shewta butted in saying "Raja is really working hard, he puts in more then eigh hours of rehearsal everyday, I can't ask for any more".

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All the contestants looked ravishing in beautiful ethnic outfits, especially Naryani and Gauri stole the heart of the audience and the jury with their mind blowing costumes designed by well known fashion designer Reza Khan. The next lot included a 50 styles song ('Sar pe topi laal...') on Arjun and Gurdip Kohli. The couple really put a lot a effort and left everybody speechless. Manav and Shewta number ('Kangna re kangna...') was mind-blowing. The audiences seemed to be totally fida when Naryani and Gaurav ('Prem jal...') hit the floor. Naryani who had to wait for a lot of time before her song came, promised never to come early next time and wiled away her time doing puzzles and playing games on cell phone. Since the channel also has a reality show of Nach Balliye (every Friday) which shows candid views of the contestants, those people were butting in on the stage to get quick bytes compelling the director to tick them off. The atmosphere got charged up towards the end when at time of elimination the two jodis with the least scores were put in dock, instead of just one, and the remaining safe contestants were asked to save one of them by a silent vote. Many participants got angry, some even threatened to quit but after a lot of high drama, the votes were counted and Keerti - Sharad got saved while Rasik and Ketaki were shown the door. Hiten Tejwani felt that it was not right to leave the decision of saving a contestant on them, rather it should be left to the judges, "had it been my way, I would saved both and not just one," he groused. The eliminated couple was disappointed that they were thrown out. "Although we agree that our performances were not that good, we feel we deserved a second chance, which we hope we get when one eliminated jodi can make a comeback after the fifth episode," said Ketaki. Even the choreographers were furious. They felt that they should be allowed to a say in saving the contestant for they have more knowledge then the contestants, but they were shot down. One of them was even angry at the judges for being too harsh on them, "Sarojji should understand that we have to deal with people who are not trained dancers," complained one choreographer. The goody good attitude of the contestants towards each other is already beginning to wear off. Some contestants are questioning the manner in which Raja and Shewta were being given high points when only Shewta is dancing. One other contestant said their performance went against the name of the show, which was Nach Balliye meaning dance partners. The fact that the gloves are coming off so fast shows how stiff competition is going be, in their bid to out do each other, these couples are even questioning the impartiality of the judges. One of them said "I can't understand how come I got low points, when I was praised so much by them." They believe that some TRP game may be being played by the channel to raise viewer ship. However, when we spoke to the channel, they flatly refused any interference saying the decision of the judges was final. Mallika took the so-called resentment of the contestants in her stride saying that you cannot please all and "We as judges have done a fair job till date." Yet another negative trait that seems to befall such reality shows is that the contestants seem to address fans belonging to their community/region only. One contestant specifically asked for a visit to his home state. Some contestants defended this action off the record while others like Yash Tonk blamed this mess on the entire caste and language evil, which has befallen our system. However, all said and done the contestants seem to have faith in the ability of the audiences to save them, Yash Tonk said that "You alone have the power to rectify the wrong, so please vote for the best candidate." Shewta and Raja asked for the support and best wishes of their fans. In the face of so much controversy so early in the show, one wonders what will happen in the future episodes, when the contest will really hot up. Watch this space for the latest happenings.

Edited by anishma24 - 18 years ago