Sai Nidhi building resident Darren Das and Dattaguru Society resident Elizabeth Pereira are two choreographers, who spent hours training the celebrity couple Maninee De and Mihir Misra to dance to the beats of songs such as Bheege Honth Tere and What Is Mobile Number. The couple was eliminated in the third round — the episode that was telecast on Nov 3.
Darren and Elizabeth have choreographed for the Asha Bhosle album Huzur E Ala and have also choreographed Rani Mukerji, Katrina Kaif and Preity Zinta in various ads.
Telling us more about the Nach Baliye experience, Darren, who runs dance classes near OLPS School, says, "After the elimination, Maninee had said that we were relieved; I second her opinion. The entire episode was a rigmarole — loads of tension and pressure. But I would be wrong if I say we didn't have fun."
When asked how Darren and Elizabeth became a part of the reality show, Darren says that the organisers of the show knew him and suggested that he be a part of the show. "The thought of being a part of a reality show fascinated me and I took up the project," he adds.
When asked who assigned a choreographer to the couple, Darren informs, "Right in the beginning, the couples were asked to pick up a chit with the choreographers' names on them. After that was done, they were asked to pick up CDs that had a compilation of songs that the couples had to perform in the different rounds. That's how the couples chose the choreographers and the songs."
Darren and Elizabeth tutored Mihir and Maninee for two months. Says Dimple, "When the world would wind up for the day, we would start the practice. We used to practice from 10 pm to 1 am as we had our other commitments."
When asked about the experience of choreographing Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin's Pari and Sanjeevani's Dr Rahul, Elizabeth says, "Mihir and Maninee trusted our teaching and judgement and performed accordingly. Maninee is a very good dancer, while Mihir had to be taught right from scratch."
Telling us more about Mihir, Darren adds, "I used to call him centipede — 50 left legs and 50 right legs — as he used to be all over the place while dancing. But now when I look back, I know I have found two wonderful friends. In fact, the couple call me Papa."
Elizabeth adds that what made the foursome a big fun group was that they shared the same wavelength.
When asked how they felt each time Mihir and Maninee would be in the danger zone, Darren says, "The first time around, we were really nervous. But when we were in the danger zone the second time, we knew we were out of the competition."
When asked about media reports on his spat with Nach Baliye judge Malaika Arora Khan, Darren says, "Everything is fine between Malaika and me. We did not have a spat as reported by some newspapers. In fact, Malaika and her sister Amrita were my students, around 19 years ago."
And would they like to be a part of Nach Baliye 2, if it comes up? The duo reply in unison, "No. That's because one should try everything once and move on to something new."
vaibhavi.shitut@mid-day.com
Maninee and Mihir on Darren and Elizabeth
Maninee says
"Darren and Elizabeth are very talented and hard working. I have come to share a special bond with both of them. We are in touch even after we have been eliminated. As for the show, the best thing about it was that I got a chance to perform a choreographed dance with my husband."
Mihir says
"Darren and Elizabeth are really good at training people like me, who do not know the ABC of dance. They were very patient with me and I would say they were excellent teachers. I used to call Darren, Papa, as he guided me just like a father would guide and encourage his child."
Darren and Elizabeth's pick
Elizabeth says, "All the couples are good and are practicing very hard." Darren adds, "Supriya and Sachin Pilgaonkar are really well-rehearsed. Rajeshwari Sachdev is a great dancer and Varun Badola puts in his 150 per cent."
Nach Baliye facts
• Teams of choreographers and couples were formed in Sept.
• Songs that the couples perform are chosen by the channel.
• Every episode is shot on Saturdays.
• Many couples practice for as long as six to seven hours a day to put up an excellent performance
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