Hat-trick for Longinus and Shveta article

The technically perfect pair on 'Jhalak..' get the highest marks, three weeks in a row.

The stellar dance performances by choreographer Longinus and television actress Shveta Salve in 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa' (Sony) week after week are one to watch out for. This week, for the third time in a row, they have received the highest marks and are known as the technically most perfect pair.

The credit for this goes entirely to 40 year old Longinus. Having choreographed over 200 music videos and advertisements each and numerous corporate shows, he has also worked on many Bollywood projects like 'Bombay Boys', 'Moksh', 'Dil Vil Pyaar Vyaar', 'Khushi', 'Corporate' and 'Page 3', amongst many others. He has also choreographed many plays by Bharat Dhabolkar.

Enjoying his stint on the show, Longinus says, "It feels good to be appreciated by the judges for all the hard work we are putting in. We have just four days to prepare the new dance form for the next week and we rehearse endlessly, late through the nights, as Shveta gets free only after 10 30 pm. My aim is to maintain the maximum of Latin American dance and I am comfortable with the format veering towards Bollywood's style of dance."

Complimenting Shveta, he says, "She has a great flair for designing clothes and helps me wear colour co-ordinated clothes that make us look good on stage. I wear my own shoes and capes when required and that helps to enhance our overall performance. Shveta comes from an acting background so the zeal to do more Bollywood is there but she leaves it to me to take the final decision on our moves. She is a not a great dancer but is very hard working and trusts me completely."

On the shoot, this week, Longinus had a minor mishap with his dhoti for the dandiya round. Despite expressing reservations on wearing the outfit, he went ahead, only to get it under his foot while dancing to 'Dhole tara..'. "I lost balance as the edges of the dhoti came under my feet, but I regained my composure and finished the dance. Like they say, the show must go on."

'I have not taken part in a dance competition since 1991 and am enjoying the experience. My son is thrilled that I am a part of it, especially at my age. The concept is to make my partner shine and I am working hard to make Shveta the best dancer on the show," signs off Longinus.

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