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Queen of fiction Ekta Kapoor is getting into television's non-fiction arena in a big way. As she gears up for Nach Baliye Season 7 on Star Plus that she's producing, she talks about what makes this dance reality show different from everything else on the small screen. Excerpts:
They say the show this season is going to be 'too much' to handle. What exactly is this 'too much'?
Viewers today want to see more than just glamour and glitz; they want to see celebrities with their masks off. Nach Baliye Season 7 will be a seven-day show format with a dance face-off on Sunday at 8 pm and reality from Monday to Saturday at 11.30 pm. This time, the show will not only focus on Nach but also the equation with the Baliyemaking it Nach Baliye. The weekday format will be called Nach Baliye: Daily Punchanama. While the dance face-off is the expression of the couple's story, in Daily Punchanama, the jodis will be tested on the strength of their relationship. The viewers can expect a dance extravaganza on Sundays, but from Monday to Saturday, they will go through the ups and downs of every jodi. The fresh judging panel " Preity Zinta, Marzi Pestonji and Chetan Bhagat " will bring varied perspectives to each relationship and entertainment to the show. So, all in all, yes, it will be too much to handle.
Was this your idea?
Some of these ideas are mine and some by the team, as I am doing a reality show for the first time. Every show has a new realm to cross. Viewers today are no longer swayed by the glamour and celeb quotient that every other show has to offer. They want to see the complete real package " the roller coaster of emotions that go behind keeping the jodi together and making the relationship work. The 'too much' angle this season was the natural evolution of the show and the channel wanted to recreate the magic of Nach Baliye by giving viewers the real deal behind celebrity jodis! That is exactly what I bring to the table " the same show with exciting new twists and turns.
The show has traditionally been about dance. Will this new format take away from that?
Dance will always be the heart of the show. It is just one part of expression and with the new format, we are trying to explore layers of each relationship so that we will see a lot more storytelling in the dance defined by the couple's journey in the week.
What are the kind of love/relationship challenges that the couples will have to face?
The challenges will range from the smallest to the wackiest, the main idea will be to test each jodion how well they know and understand each other. They will be judged on key aspects that make any relationship work. So, we will be taking them through a challenge based on trust, one based on team work, another one on compatibility and so on. Viewers will have much to look forward to through the season.
So, what are the qualities that a perfect couple on your show needs to have?
A Nach Baliye jodi is a real couple who may have their flaws, but make their relationship work with a sense of understanding between them. On camera, people act as if their relationship is the best. Our job here is to catch the reality in their relationship, like, who are real on and off camera.
Chetan Bhagat is a rather unusual choice for a judge...
Since this year is all about 'too much', we thought why not go ahead with another twist and bring in someone that people would not normally expect. Chetan is the X factor of the show and his role will be that of a motivator and storyteller.
What about Preity as a choice for a judge?
Always positive and full of life, she lifts the mood of the show with her personality. She is a glass half full person and a strong support to the jodis to keep them positive through their various journeys.
What role will the judges play in the weekday tasks?
The judges are on the lookout for the perfect couple. They will look into their story, the way they are during the punchnama and thus, what is being reflected in the chemistry during the dance.
How are the couples going to be evaluated this season? Apparently, there is no audience voting...
Every week, basis the love challenge, the jodi that scores the maximum points gets love power, which makes them safe from saying goodbye to the show. They have the power to choose anotherjodi to be safe with them. And obviously, keeping in mind that the show is primarily a dance one, the jodi with top points also gets the love power and is safe that week. However, basis the dance performance and the judges points, jodis will either be safe or face Nach Ka The End.
You have given the television industry some great reel jodis. But wasn't it tough getting real life jodis to be a part of this 'too much to handle' show?
To be honest, there are many jodis who developed cold feet and backed out. Some even backed out at the last minute admitting that the format was too much for them. We still managed to get 11 amazing and real jodis on board. I have come to believe that these couples are the ones who truly believe that their relationship can withstand any test and are willing to challenge themselves on this platform.
Hosts Karan Patel and Ritvik Dhanjani are also a rather rare combination...
Content on television has evolved over the years and I think it is only fitting to try something new! We have two of the most desirable men on television hosting the show, but even there, we have tried to keep it light-hearted and fun. We will be seeing a lot of bromance this season with Rithvik and Karan, both ex-contestants and spectacular hosts. They will definitely bring out the humour with their excellent comic timing and set a mood for the show.
Which of your favourite Nach Baliye jodis would you like to see win?
Ritvik and Karan (laughs). Just kidding; may the best couple win.
Are you going to feature on the show, maybe as a special guest?
Like I said earlier, this year Nach Baliye is going to be too much. There are surprises at every turn, so you never know what comes next!
Fiction on TV has been your forte. Are you now looking to tap the non-fiction genre in a big way with this show?
Storytelling comes naturally to me, be it in movies or television series. With this show, we will be exploring 11 different stories of these jodis and that is my reason for doing this show.
Nach Baliye 7 will air every Sunday at 8 pm and Nach Baliye " Daily Punchanama, Monday to Saturday at 11:30 pm on Star Plus.
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