The two contested in singing competitions while in college
"Sing and the world swings with you," enthuses TV actor Apara Mehta who originally wanted to be a gaayika. "It's a dream come true that director Vipul D Shah has chosen me and paired me with singer Parthiv Gohil (of 'Saawariya' fame) as a contestant in 'Jjhoom India' (Sahara One)," she says.
Apara continues, "I would regularly win prizes for singing at the inter-collegiate level with ghazal singer Penaz Masani being my arch-rival. In fact, I was learning classical music from Ustad Ghulam Mustafasaab," she reveals.
But wasn't 'Jjhoom India' meant strictly for non-singers? "Unfortunately, for the past 20 years, I haven't had the opportunity to sing. It's been only theatre and TV serials. My singing talent had gathered dust. With rigorous rehearsals with my young sureela-joshila partner, I am getting back into the groove," explains Apara.
Was it true that she had initial problems singing duets? "My voice is not what it used to be. Yes, vocal scale for duets was always a problem with me, as I have a heavy, husky awaaz. Parthiv raises or lowers his pitch to match my singing," laughs Apara who gangs up with Shama Sikander, Vinod Rathod and Akriti Kakar in the show.
Meanwhile, judge and veteran composer Anandji (of Kalyandji-Anandji fame) known for his witty repartees quips, "Kyunki Apara bhi kabhi singer thi," adding, "Lekin woh ab dobara jhoom uthegi." Film personalities Mahesh Bhatt and Shabana Azmi will also be judges in the show, which goes on air on October 27.
Anupamaa
