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There aren't too many occasions that would make me want to do this. But today being one such, here I am. At the risk of sounding almost fan-girlish, and for once hardly caring that I do, I dedicate this post to Sushant Singh Rajput and Shampa Sonthalia, two people Jhalak introduced me to, and will now never let me forget.
I tend to ramble at times like these, and I'll make no brave attempt at being concise today. Do forgive the tedium, if that's what this post eventually comes to.
Sushant Singh Rajput...The first time I saw him was on Zara Nachke Dikha, prior to which I had no idea who he was, and after which, all I knew was that he danced fairly well, had one of the most endearing smiles Indian Television has seen in a while, and that was about it. ZNKD, as those who watched will know, was not a particularly spotless run for Sushant. He started out well, then faltered for a bit, caught back on, and then faltered some more through the course of the show. Not being a fan of his from before, I didn't exactly fawn over him when he was on stage to note every move and shake, especially when he wasn't doing all that great to begin with. Of all the performances I've watched there, I remember only two, one of which happens to remain one of my favourite performances of his till date. But those apart, there wasn't much else for me to go by. The show ended, I hardly saw him after it did, and that was that. Then along came Jhalak, and when I read he was in it, I was pleasantly looking forward to watching him among others in a detached, disconnected sort of way. His first performance was okay, not too great, and pretty much in keeping with his ZNKD stint. But then the second week and its accompanying 30 happened, and the rest, as they say, is history. I watched him hit a level I had not seen him hit before, and that eventually became a level no participant of Jhalak had ever even come close to hitting in all four seasons. There really isn't much to say of it, to be honest. He danced his heart and soul out on that stage, and I could see and feel it. The 30's, the 'Perfect's the 'This Is It's, the 'Performance of the Day's...they've all happened for a reason, and speak for themselves.
Shampa Sonthalia...Unlike Sushant, whom I was at least familiar with from earlier, Shampa was someone I had never seen or heard of before. A lot of choreographers return to Jhalak in its ongoing seasons, and I had become used to more or less familiar faces around. This season, however, has brought in the largest amount of new choreographing talent out of all the three seasons past, and Shampa is a find to be reckoned with, and how. I remember feeling a bit apprehensive during and after the first episode, because I knew Sushant had potential, and that it would take a really good choreographer to tap it to its utmost limits, something I had rued over on ZNKD more than once. The first act didn't go great guns, and I was beginning to wonder if this was going to stay that way. Then came the Horror themed Salsa, and as much as I was floored by Sushant, I was swept off my feet and buoyed away by the merry wave of creativity that was Shampa. And let it suffice to say that I never got back on them through the thirteen weeks that followed. Contemporary, Flamenco, Lyrical Hip-Hop, Samba, Jazz...whatever came out of that head of hers, she danced out on stage with that heart of hers. And accompanied by Sushant, the only word that sufficiently sums up what all of it translated into for me, is Magic.
Together, Sushant and Shampa were what I would term a Dream Team. His conceptualisation plus her choreography, multiplied by their creativity and intrinsic talent and amplified by sheer hard work, gave me as a viewer the mathematical sum total of Brilliance on that stage. 'Nuff said.
Now that the show's over, and the results are out, I have only one thing to say. Sushant and Shampa, for me, deserved the win, and it's really sad that they didn't get it. But what they did get, and what is and will remain unquestionable for life, is a lot of respect and a lot of love from a LOT of those who watched them come, perform and conquer every single time they set foot on that stage. Absolutely and Completely.
God bless you, Sushant and Shampa, and all the best for wherever life takes you guys from here on! 🤗
Okay, and so, as I conclude on this nostalgic note, I think I'll direct you guys to Nikita's post at the bottom of this page for a much needed move towards a happy, healthy and celebratory discussion of this duo. Read on, and we'd love to hear what you have to say! 😊
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