Malaika addicted to 'Nach Baliye'

Glamour girl Malaika Arora, who has resumed her position as one of the three judges in the second season of 'Nach Baliye', says she is addicted to the dance show.

'Nach Baliye 2' requires just one day per week in Malaika's schedule.

'And that suits me fine, because it fits into my scheme of things. But I've become so attached to the show, whenever there's no shooting there's a void in my life. All of us doing 'Nach Baliye' have withdrawal symptoms when we aren't shooting. Our TRPs show we've nothing to worry about,' Malaika told IANS in an interview.

In the last season, along with Malaika, director Farhan Akhtar and choreographer Saroj Khan judged the show, but this time Kunal Kohli has replaced Farhan.

Comparing season one of 'Nach Baliye' to season two, Malaika observed: 'They're both very different and that's what makes it exciting. The couples in season two are far less open and forthright. In season one, all of them - Parmeet-Archana, Sachin-Supriya, Apoorva-Shilpa - spiced up the proceedings. This time they're a little reserved and need to be drawn out of their shells.

'That sense of repartee is missing during this season. The contestants this time weigh their pros and cons too much. I keep telling them to loosen up. Life doesn't have to be taken seriously.'

Commenting on Sony's 'Jhalak Dikhla Jaa', she said: 'Last year it was just 'Nach Baliye'. This time there was 'Jhalak Dikhla Jaa' - it gave us a run for our money. It kept us on our toes. Competition is always welcome.'

TV is not an unknown territory for this former MTV-VJ, who ruled the roost with her popular show 'Loveline'.

'Last time we were all babies on 'Nach Baliye'. This time we're far more clued in. I love it! Last season we shot during weekends. This time we shoot mid-week. The last time I did television, I was terribly possessive about MTV's 'Loveline'. I'm getting equally possessive about 'Nach Baliye'.'

About her stunning outfits, Malaika said: 'My clothes on 'Nach Baliye' have become a national issue. My sister-in-law Seema Khan does all my clothes on the show. Sometimes I wonder if the dresses aren't too short but Seema is confident I can carry them off. Fellow-judge Kunal Kohli keeps asking me to pirouette for just so that everyone can see my dress.'

Malaika is truly one of the original TV queens.

'I feel like I've been on television forever. I get very involved with my shows. In fact, now I'm doing a style-based radio show in Dubai. It's a completely new medium. People think it is TV without the visuals. But it's very different. There I'm sitting with headphones talking away to an invisible audience. It's like talking to myself.'

Malaika, who turned 31 on Oct 23, said she had the most rocking birthday ever.

'My husband (Arbaaz Khan), who's learning to play the guitar, played and sang 'Happy Birthday'. Everyone laughed hysterically because he has barely started learning. It was so sweet.'

It's hard to believe that the stunning Malaika is just 31.

'I never hide my age! Why should I? All the moms today have turned out so super! The happiest part of my birthday this year is that I was shooting for 'Nach Baliye'. And all the contestants and the entire team surprised me by bringing a cake on the show. Last year also I brought in my 30th birthday on 'Nach Baliye'!'

Malaika had a nice theme party on her birthday this time.

'We were wondering ... should I or should I not? My sister Amrita and I finally decided to put together everything at the last hour. We delegated work and quickly organised a rocking theme party where everybody dressed in the 1980s style and danced to music from that decade.

'It was just Arbaaz and my family together. And that's quite a guest list of about 100 people. We had a blast! Everyone loved the theme.'

- By Subhash K. Jha