I've been tying rakhis to Sachin for 15 y

Do you miss Nach Baliye?
I miss being a part of it. After 10 to 12 years, I went back to dancing — something I have always been passionate about. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. However, it has turned out to be a nightmare.

As a kid, I had this recurring nightmare, of someone spilling ink over my exam sheets; now, I keep dreaming of us going through another blankout. I pray no one else goes through what we have suffered and experienced. Losing is all right but going blank is worse.

What responses have you got for your acts?
I have got mixed responses. One section of people told me, 'don't worry, it happens, better luck next time'.

But a lot of people also think we threw the game for money. I have been an artiste my entire life, first in theatre and now television. How can I think of selling out my profession for a small amount of money? I can never imagine putting my gurus, who have taught me dance, to shame, by doing something so cheap.

The other day I went to a mall, and someone came up to me and asked how I could walk out of the competition. I felt disgusted that someone could even think of putting forth such a question. If you have seen me and Varun perform our hearts out in each round, how can you even think of such a thing?

They say you accepted money to walk out of the semi-finals. Comment.
Such statements are highly disturbing and have deeply hurt me. If it were for the money, we wouldn't be sitting in the editing room till 4 am and rehearsing through the nights.

But why didn't you perform again?
Our first reaction was, 'how can we take a second chance?' But there was a consensus among the judges; they wanted us to perform again. But certain people didn't want that to happen. To them, I would like to say, 'Mera imaan main jaanu, unka imaan woh jaane'.

Is it true that Sachin is your rakhi brother?
Yes, I have been going to Sachin's house to tie him rakhis for 15 years.

Will you be tying him a rakhi next year?
That's a personal matter; I don't want to comment on this.

tushar.joshi@mid-day.com