| The flavour of the season, Star One's dance show, Nach Baliye, has become a do-or-die issue for the contestants.
Like politicians in an electoral fray who leave no stone unturned to swing the scale in their favour, the participating star couples are hell-bent on doing anything and everything possible to bag the crown — apart from seeking divine intervention. Pay now, win later
The contest has turned out to be a prestige issue for the contestants on account of the windfall cash prize and participation fees (see box). Several participants are buying prepaid mobile phone cards in bulk and distributing them to family and friends to keep on SMSing during the required time period.
| | | Shilpa Saklani and Apoorva Agnihotri | When there is Rs 50 lakh at stake as prize money, there is no harm in spending a couple of hundreds or thousands on prepaid phone cards for sending messages round the clock. Sachin's cable connection
While tempers are rising behind the scenes between some couples, the contestants are even seeking cable operators' help. Sachin and Supriya Pilgaonkar have been advertising 'Vote for Sachin-Supriya' in the hinterlands of Maharashtra.
Says a source, "I've heard that Sachin and Supriya are canvassing through the local cable operators in Pune. Apparently, they are trying to garner the Maharashtrian votes." It has been observed that a lot of regional voting is taking place. Like the Punjabi contestants are getting plenty of support from the North while Bengalis are receiving tremendous support from Kolkata.
| | | Neeru Bajwa and Amit Sadh | When asked, Sachin vehemently denied his cable connections. "A lot of people are saying this about Supriya and me. But I have'nt indulged in any such practice." However, a male contestant offered, "I have heard that the Pilgaonkars are advertising in Kolhapur also." Neeru's a Punjabi kudi
When co-contestant Neeru Bajwa was asked if she knew about the Pilgaonkars seeking cable help, she says, "I'm unaware of what the Pilgaonkars are doing.
But someone told Amit and me the other day that we need to improve our PR. We don't have too many friends and relatives, here. My family's in Canada. Guess I need to go to Punjab for a few days to remind my folks that I am a Punjabi kudi after all," she laughed.
Archana Puran Singh appeared surprised but said that Sachin and Supriya were not doing anything wrong. "It's a very prestigious contest and we live in a free country."
And for Star One, a sure-fire way to get noticed and rake in the high viewership ratings. shaheen@mid-day.com
vickey.lalwani@mid-day.com | 
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