The contest:
To see which couple dances best to the latest Bollywood numbers
The judges:
Saroj Khan (Ace Bollywood Choreographer)
Farhan Akhtar (young Bollywood director)
Malaika Arora (model, item babe, compere, etc)
The comperes:
Shabbir Ahluwalia and a screeching Sangeeta Ghosh
The contestants:
10 TV Star couples:
Poonam Narula and Manish Goel
Sachin & Supriya Pilgaonkar
Archana Puran Singh and Parmeet Sethi
Amit Sadh and Neeru Bajwa
Delnaz and Rajeev Paul
Varun Badola and Rajeshwari Sachdev
Shakti Anand and Sai Deodhar
Manini De and Mihir Mishra
Rohit Roy and Mansi Joshi Roy
Apoorva Agnihotri and Shilpa Saklani
If you are a TV buff, you will recognize most of these stars – even if you don’t know them by their names. They have acted in most soap operas and saas bahu sagas. They may not have appeared as couples on screen, but are couples in real life.
The show which was launched on 11th October, airs thrice a week on Tuesdays to Thursdays on Star One at 9.30 p.m. I have only watched this Thursday’s show.
In the one-and-half hour program, each couple takes the stage one by one and dances on some of the latest and hippiest Bollywood numbers. Each of these dances is choreographed for this show by some aspiring choreographers, who are also evaluated along with the couples. After each performance, the judges give their individual comments. The couple then goes backstage to a screaming welcome by Sangeeta Ghosh, where they are interviewed. The judges give their points and the reactions of the contestants are noted.
The eliminations will be done based on SMS voting (as usual) by the viewing public.
About the performances:
In the first week, I was amazed to find the enthusiasm and energy in the contestants. Infact the oldest couple, Sachin and Supriya got the highest marks for a superb performance. They were cheered watched by their 16-year old daughter in the audience stands as they grooved to “Ik main hoon” from Fida. The couple got a standing ovation after their performance.
Varun Badola and Rajeshwari did a great job swinging to a Bunty aur Babli number as did Archana and Parmeet. Delnaaz Paul gave it all for her “It’s the time to disco” beat. I also like ther performances of Apoorva-Shilpa. Some disappointments were Rohit and Mansi, Poonam-Manish, Manini-Mihir, Shakti-Sai and Amit-Neeru. But its early days yet and we will have to wait and see how things develop.
About the judges:
Malaika Arora is quite balanced and maybe a bit politically correct. Farhan Akhtar too sounds quite sweet in his comments.
However, Saroj Khan appears a bit too critical particularly of the choreographers. C’mon Sarojji, these are just kids starting out. You don’t have to feel insecure about them.
About the concept:
The show is quite innovative. Having couples who are not born or trained dancers to perform is quite a feat. The packaging is quite professionally done. The only ham in the entire sequence appears to be Sangeeta Ghosh who ought to curb her shrill welcoming tones. In contrast, her male counterpart Shabbir does a competent job.
This is definitely a show worth watching.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aside:
1) I just read the other review on this show by pvshah and she had an interesting point to make. All the couples save one are married couples. However, Amit and Neeru happen to be a live-in couple, a trend which seems to be catching on, particularly in the TV industry. This acceptability seems to have crept in unknowingly into our subconscious. A couple today need not necessarily have the “Married” stamp. In fact in a US reality show for couples called “Amazing Race”, 1-2 years back, a gay “married” couple called Chip and Reichen became the frontrunners. The day may not be far when this acceptability may happen in India as well.
2) Bunty aur Babli songs seem to be the most popular with the contestants. No wonder even the name of the show is derived from a song from the film.