BEHIND NACH BALIYE

Which is why I feel proudly seasoned when called for a practice shoot of Star One's new celebrity-dancing gameshow, Nach Baliye, at Mumbai's vast Film City. It is scheduled to begin at 8 am. Refusing to rush my morning coffee, I hit the sets at 10.45. Things are set to begin in 15 minutes, they tell me, optimistically. Perfect.

The stage looks good. Unlike most shows cluttering the airwaves these days, it is relatively neater, less over-the-top. There are a half-dozen twisted mirrors, and video displays of various sizes, displaying background graphics for the dancers.

Text: Raja Sen
Photographs: Jewella C Miranda
Design: Uday Kuckian

This froth of celebrity shaadis is what has given rise to Nach Baliye, a pretty unique TV contest. Ten couples (nine married, one engaged) take the stage to groove to Bollywood item numbers and showcase their chemistry for an adoring world. The country votes via SMS, and a couple is eliminated every week. The judging panel is eclectic, three people you wouldn't expect to find stuck in the same elevator -- veteran choreographer Saroj Khan, filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, and item-babe Malaika Arora-Khan.

Each couple has been assigned a choreographer, or choreographer team. As I look around, I find that these kids -- most of them relative rookies, with stage shows and assistant choreographer credits, but no big projects yet -- have completely ingratiated themselves with their celeb couples. Not surprising, considering they've been rehearsing with them for the last 45 days before the shoot.

On the other hand, it's funny how self-absorbed the soap world is, not wanting to exit their all-important bubble. The couples sit around, waiting for their respective sets to be prepared, but they never seem to let their 'acting' guard down.

Delnaaz Paul, one of the early arrivals, coos a 'how nice you look on the hoarding' greeting to all the stars as they stroll in. In a while begins a rather thoughtful and decidedly passionate discussion on whose hoarding is where. "In Juhu, you have Archana (Puran Singh) and Parmeet's (Sethi) hoarding. Maybe Rajeshwari and Varun's (the Badolas) is in Worli." The chatter carries on.

All the couples look lopsided. Delnaaz' husband Rajeev Paul is a pronounced embarrassment -- he knows he's the worst dancer around, proclaims it loudly, and the others agree. As the couple grooves to It's the time to disco (from Kal Ho Na Ho) however, he has the more spirited job, ending with a split.

Meanwhile, with Rohit and Mansi Roy, it's the other way around. As the attractive couple takes to the stage, with Dhiki tana dhiki tana from Main Hoon Na, it's clear that the obviously embarrassed and blushing Mansi isn't quite the kind of girl who sets a dance floor alight. Her moves are completely at odds with Rohit's effortless Bollywood stuff, but we like the act because it looks real -- we find her awkwardness endearing, we like the goof-ups. And they look good together.

But dancing isn't just about pelvic thrusts, and the two actors manage to make their Balle Balle act into a warm comedy routine. It's hard to suppress a smile. They aren't the finest dancers, but it wouldn't be a bad move to tip them as eventual finalists.

The soap stars are all cordiality and warmth off-stage, but each raised their voice as soon as the fight for convenient rehearsal times began.

The choreographers are all smiles, genuine friends with a big chance to showcase their skills. Are they fiercely competing? Not quite, since each knows the stars aren't pros, and it's just a matter of ingenuity.

The big deal about the show is the familiarity. The audiences know these people, and (for the most part) like them. It's not a contest in the truest sense of the word, but rather a big popularity poll. It seems nearly infallible.

With Nach Baliye starting October 11, Star One might just have another winner on its hands.