'Good looks don't sell don't sell..-Jai

Q How have you been coping with the pressure of doing a daily soap and a reality dance show?
I agreed to do Jhalak because I love dancing, it's been a really hectic working schedule for me. I have been working from 9 am to 9 pm for Kayamath and then rehearsing for Jhalak from 11 pm to 3 am. But, in order to achieve something in life you've got to make these sacrifices and I have sacrificed my sleep. However, since it was getting very hectic I have been given a break from Kayamath to concentrate more on Jhalak. Currently Shabbir Ahluwalia and Panchi's track is being played out and both me and Sanjeeda are not required much for the Kayamath shoot.

Q Isn't it a coincidence that you and Sanjeeda are doing reality shows on rival channels?
Yes, it is a sheer coincidence that I am doing Jhalak while Sanjeeda is busy with Nach Baliye. I am not a good dancer whereas Sanjeeda is a very good dancer and she is doing very well. But whenever we meet we share our experiences.

Q You were quite stiff and started on a flat note. But from the second week onwards you have surprised everyone. Was it deliberate to start on a low key and then gradually raise your dance standard?
No, it wasn't deliberate. I was stiff to begin with and got only 18 marks for my performance. It's good that I did not start with a bang and increase everyone's expectation. I believe in step-by-step progress and my graph has been gradually rising. From 18 marks I progressed to 22, 24 and 25 in my last performance. On the other hand, some of the other contestants started with a bang but their performance dropped later.

Q Who are the good dancers on the show and who do you perceive as competiton?
All of them are good in their own way and each one is trying his or her best to survive and do well. But I am not competing with anyone except my choreographer Bindi. If I dance well and match with her steps it's a big achievement for a non-dancer like me. Bindi is a powerhouse of talent and a very good teacher. She has been on this show before and she knows what works in Jhalak. She is working hard on improving my dancing skills and if I improve my performance level I would be really happy. In fact, the judges have started appreciating my performance because they know that each week I am trying to work on the same.

Q Isn't Jeetendra a bit lenient with the Balaji actors? He seems to givie them more marks.
No, no. He is not lenient with anyone. I don't think he is sentimental about Balaji actors. His job is to appreciate and encourage good talent and he is doing just that.

Q You seem to be quite popular among girls. Is it because of your Kayamath lover boy image?
Thanks to Kayamath, I am popular among kids and college students. I am really getting a good response from youngsters. They all knew me as Neev of Kayamath earlier but now they know me as Jay.

Q You were a model before you made your debut on TV nine months ago. How confident do you feel before the camera?
I was quite nervous in the beginning because acting in a serial is a different ball game. But my director Anil Kumar was of immense help to me. Now I feel pretty comfortable but I haven't overcome my fear completely. I think it doesn't go away totally which is good in a way because it makes you work harder. When I performed for the first time on Jhalak I was quite nervous and apprehensive. I still get nervous before each performance but I am not unhappy with my fear.

Q How easy or difficult is it to be a television star?
Believe me it is not easy at all. If you are not a good actor good looks don't sell after a point. You've got to deliver. It's not easy to become a successful television star.

Q Given your lean frame how do you manage to lift Bindi so easily?
There is a definite technique behind it. You just can't do it without learning the technique. I had injured my shoulder when I had done it once in the beginning. Now I know how to do it.

Q Will Neev get a makeover when he comes back in Kayamath?
Yes. I won't be able to tell you much because the show's creative heads will decide on that. But Neev will definitely undergo a major transformation both in terms of his look and image which is essential for the progress of the character.

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