The final countdown

The final countdown

A 'Nach' above the rest, Manish-Poonam and Sachin -Supriya on their jitters before the big night

Subhash K Jha

Manish Goel and Poonam Narula

Manish: Besides getting to spend so much time with my wife, the best part of doing Nach Baliye is that people have stopped referring to me by the names of my characters I play in Bhabhi and the other soaps. I'm finally known as Manish. With this, I'm hoping to resume my interrupted struggle to make it in films with resumed vigour. But I cannot ignore the reach and impact of television-not after Nach Baliye. It has been a blessing for Poonam and I. We've suddenly become household names. And the fact that we've come to the final round proves there's fate guiding us-or shall I say, our feet? Every time Poonam and I went on stage we always wondered if this would be our last appearance. The other participants were so good. Somehow we managed to come so far. For someone who has been struggling for a foothold in the industry for so many years, Nach Baliye is a true triumph. I've finally made my family in Delhi proud. We're a business family and my wife Poonam was my mother's choice. My mother insisted that I get married - 'Nahin to Mumbai kha jayegi', she said. My mother saw Poonam while we were shooting a serial together. She asked me if I'd like to marry her. It took me three months to decide and then it took Poonam another three months. We were married in six months. Am I nervous about the finals? My nervousness lasts only until a few moments before I get on to the stage. After that I'm fine.

Poonam: Frankly, it gives me a high to see my husband gaining popularity and recognition. Although I've been doing serials for some years now, I'm too much into my family – my husband and my little son. I had gained so much weight after my delivery, but I didn't care. Now I've shed all that weight while dancing. The best part of doing Nach Baliye was that my husband and I got to spend so much time together. Was it difficult to cope with the schedules because of my one-year old son? Not really. Even Rohit Roy and Manasi Joshi have a small child. It's all about time management …and the desire to do something unexpected. Nach Baliye has definitely proved to be decisive for Manish and I. Yes, I'm nervous about the finals. If we win we will donate the prize money to PETA, a cause I believe in. But right now we aren't thinking of the money.


Sachin & Supriya Pilgaonkar

Sachin : We've tried our level-best. We're very nervous, but not about the audience votes; no point in worrying about something that isn't in our hands. We want to perform well tomorrow. Considering we are both non dancers, we're truly amazed at how far we've got. I really enjoyed working with my wife. On December 21 we complete 20 years of marriage. Other professionals get only a couple of hours with their wife, and an annual holiday to unwind. Through Nach Baliye we've been thrown together in the most unexpected way. The show has helped us rediscover each other in the twentieth year of our marriage. I'm a Maharashtrian and make Marathi films. But Nach Baliye has spurred me to direct a new song-and-dance film called Aami Saatpute featuring Supriya and I. I feel very proud when people say she's a better actress and dancer than me.

Supriya: Right now we're nervous. I never knew I could dance until Nach Baliye happened to the both of us. I've started enjoying dance. I had never done formal dancing before this. Nach Baliye has changed my life. Look at the love we've received from everyone. It' a new beginning for me. I'm basically a housewife. In the past, I've taken up acting assignments as and when my family has allowed me to. And now with my daughter having grown up, I've enjoyed the dancing experience immensely. If we win, I want to use the prize money to do something that we'll never forget. I want to do something that will haunt us forever, just like Nach Baliye will haunt me forever. I must admit that we've practised day and night; if we hadn't worked so hard we wouldn't have reached so far. At first we did it to save face. Then it became a question of sustaining our success. The Nach Baliye journey has been very rewarding for both of us. My husband has been very encouraging. Our choreographers have always given us steps to match our age. During the last four months we've spent more time together than we did in the twenty years of our married life. We're looking forward to the prize…prize aakhir prize hota hai, chahe 5 rupaiye ka ya 50 lakh ka.


Who will win? Former contestants place bets

Amit Sadh & Neeru Bajwa
Amit says: I can't really predict the winner. It depends on who performs better , irrespective of how their past performances have been. And as they say, India will decide. Amit and Neeru will dance to 'Koi Mil Gaya'.

Sai Deodhar & Shakti Anand
Sai says: I think Sachin and Supriya will win. They have been performing consistently. Sai and Shakti will dance to 'Salaame Ishq Meri Jaan'.

Rajiv & Delnaz Paul
Delnaz says: Every week, the performance differs. Both the couples have seen good and bad days. But, today will decide their fate. I wish them both the very best! Delnaz and Rajiv will dance to 'Chunari Chunari'.

Shilpa and Apurva Agnihotri
Shilpa says: I feel Sachin and Supriya deserve to win. I must admit that Poonam and Manish have improved. Shilpa and Apoorva will perform to 'Saara Jahan Kahen Ishq'.

Rajeswari & Varun Badola
Rajeshwari says: It's very difficult to name a winner at this point. Like I said on the show last week, it is a war between the equals. They will dance to 'Hai Re Hai tera Ghungta'.

Archana & Parmeet sethi
Parmeet says: I think Sachin and Supriya will win. If a deserving candidate does not win then it defeats the purpose to watch it in its second season. Parmeet and Archana will dance to 'Aaja Soniye'.

Manasi & Rohit Roy
Rohit says: It could be anybody, I can't predict. I wish we had lasted on the show and hope they call me in the next season. Rohit and Mansi will dance to 'Tauba Tumhare Yeh Ishaare'.

Manini De & Mihir Mishra
Manini and Mihir will dance to 'Ban Than Chali'. They were unavailable for comment. Compiled by Sapana Patil and Reena Thapar Kapoor