The winning dance duo of India Banega Manch, Amit Rajput and Sakshi Kurtarkar talk to Akanksha Soni about their ticket to glory
How was your experience at India Banega ManchIJ
Sakshi Kurtarkar (SK): Amazing! Unlike other reality shows, India Banega Manch had no judges. The challenge was to win the hearts of the audience and convince passersby to stop and watch. Every viewer mattered. There is a lot of difference in performing in front of judges and impromptu audience. It is not just about giving a power-packed performance but also building a connect with viewers who can walk away at any time.
Did such a show help you become better performersIJ
Amit Rajput (AR): It was a great platform for us to grow and learn new things. We learnt a lot of new moves and tricks that we hadn’t been attempted before.
How did you both find each otherIJ
SK: We have been dancing together for the past three years, so we have a good connection and level of understanding. We help each other overcome challenges and deal with issues.
What are your interests other than salsaIJ
AR: We do other dance forms too. Sakshi is a classical dancer and I am a Bollywood dancer. We have combined these techniques to form a contemporary style of salsa.
Did you ever think you will win the showIJ
AR: Not really! But we planned and performed every act carefully. As it is we were very nervous. If we had thought of performing to win the show, the pressure would have been much higher. So we decided to just give our best and enjoy the act. The victory comes as a great achievement to us.
Who had higher chances of winning the showIJ
AR: If we had not won, it would probably have been seven-year-old Pritam who took everyone by surprise by his impromptu contemporary dance act. At such a small age, performing and getting so far on such a big platform speaks volumes of his talent.
What do you have to say about the format of the showIJ
AR: If we compare India Banega Manch to other reality shows, this was an out-of-the-box format with no celebrity judges, only audience gathered to watch you. Performing amid a big crowd is very challenging. Reality shows on TV have developed a lot. An adaptation of Israeli format Win The Crowd, the show has been a great platform to boost hidden talent in India.
Best moment from the showIJ
SK: When I danced with Arjun Kapoor on whom I have a huge crush. It was amazing.
What are your future plansIJ
SK: We have a dream to represent India at the international level. Every time we qualify for international competitions, finances become an issue. But after winning Rs 11 lakh as prize money on this show, we will use it to make this dream come true.