| Credit: Mumbai-Mirror
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War dance on Nach Baliye
'What're the grounds for elimination?' ask failed contestants
Sapana Patil
The race to win the Nach Baliye title has begun to take a toll on the relationships of the couples. On Wednesday we reported that Rajiv and Delnaz Paul were snubbed by other couples because of their continued presence on the show. Now Apurva Agnihotri and Shilpa Saklani, and Parmeet Sethi and Archana Puran Singh's ouster arouses curiosity about the possible loophole in the elimination procedure.
Parmeet Sethi says, "This show is not about dancing alone. There is another aspect to it that we have learnt the hard way. But it is not the end of life, this show is not a 'make or break' milestone in our life. I am feeling relieved now; I am relaxed as I get to spend time with my children. Saying anything more would mean crying over spilt milk. 'Expect the unexpected' is the format of the show. It has a shock value and I think our ouster has given enough shock value to boost the show's audience ratings."
Archana Puran Singh finds the basic format of the show a little tricky. She says, "Some people say if there are competent judges, then why involve the audience at all. On the other hand, the audience may be involved to maintain a balance of opinion, but this is working against better performers."
"In reality shows here (in India), the audience wishes to see better performers but identifies with the underdog. In a reality show, we are all scapegoats. We knew the format of the show but certain aspects were not clear to us as they are now. The good ones have to go, so that the shock value in the reality show keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats and makes them return the next week," she adds.
So does she feel that her removal was designed to boost audience viewership? "No comments," she said. "Your guess is as good as mine….because we haven't seen or heard of anyone plotting a particular couple's ouster. But the ouster makes great audience ratings, great news. What started as a dance competition has become a 'vote for us' competition. I don't want to win by rigging votes like politicians campaign for themselves. The whole of last week, Parmeet and I did not vote for ourselves at all. Earlier my maid used to vote for us, until I asked her not to. But after our performance last week, I put in a vote for us as a token of appreciation because I believed we performed well. I tell people that they ought to vote for us only if they think we deserve it," she continues.
The reality show that began with ten couples contesting to win the Nach Baliye title, has left four couples battling, but not for the title alone, there's the coveted Rs 50 lakhs at stake too. One can only wonder who's next on their way out!
Pushpa Impossible
