Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa | Tapur Chatterji | | ||
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Deepa Karmalkar 7-year-itch From Titan to Cartier and Park Avenue to Tommy Hilfiger, Tapur has been endorsing brands and products since the turn of the new millennium. After seven years of ramp, the professional scene was getting a tad monotonous and Tapur was awaiting a fantastic break, "The first time Sony approached me, I screamed, 'No, no!' But when they tried persuading me again, I suddenly thought - why not?" says Tapur about her dancing debut in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (JDJ). Whole-heartedly Tapur didn't mind passing up prestigious shows like the Tommy Hilfiger and Sunit Verma for JDJ, "I don't mind the monetary loss at this stage. Whatever I do, I do it with full heart and soul. From a non-dancer to a dancer, I am just climbing the first rung of the ladder," she points out. Her motivation is to savour the fun element of the show,"I have never danced earlier and this takes a lot from me," she admits. The arduous rehearsals have already left with "an excruciatingly painful Achilles tendon" and aching bones and joints, but she continues undaunted. First flush Tapur made a not-so impressive debut jigging to 'Aaj ki raat' togged in a Neeta Lulla lime 'n gold skirt-choli ensemble,"The channel gives me the songs, I am just four-weeks old to take a call for myself. Most of the participants are actors or TV hosts, they know how to express and emote and talk and dance," she adds. Nonetheless, she is overwhelmed by the tremendous support of other participants and the hoots and the cheers and the countless congratulatory SMSes," I am getting into the swing of it, I am enjoying it all," she laughs. Her second performance the 'Aisa jadoo dala re' Samba has already plummeted her fortunes. So much so that judge Sheamak chose to give her an appreciating peck! Hrishida's heir The granddaughter of the renowned filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Tapur has had several film offers but she says she was too concerned about embarrassing her friends and family,"For me grace and dignity is of utmost importance, I just cannot trivialise anything,"she states with the authority of the elder one of the twins. Twin Tupur was in attendance to cheer her sis on the opening episode and her "praise meant the world" to Tapur. So JDJ certainly isn't her step towards films,"But my policy is never say never! I am too new to take such an important decision. By saying no, I would be avoiding the risk as well as the challenge," she surmises. Enjoy what you do |