Meghna Malik talks about learning bachata, jive and salsa to stand out in the dance reality show
Dance to you is:
Dance now is an important part of my schedule. It is something that I never tried before as a performer and now it is giving me confidence and adding to my persona. It has given me an opportunity to get out of my comfort zone. After Na Aana Iss Des laado I was engaged in other activities like attending seminars on girl child and women empowerment. There wasn’t anything happening on the entertainment front, so when Jhalak Dikhhla Ja was offered I took it as an opportunity to learn something new.
Your early memories of dance:
As we all know that Indians are fond of dancing, so was I, but only at major events and functions. Or on stage as a theatre artist. Some theatre performances require you to dance but then that’s only once in a while. As a child I participated in inter house competitions. But I never made an attempt to learn any dance form.
On your co-contestants:
I think most of the contestants on JDJ used to be non-dancers in the earlier seasons and the show highlighted their transformation. But this time there are a few trained dancers on the show. It is good to share a platform with brilliant, talented youngsters.
How do you think this outing will contribute to your overall packaging as a starIJ
I never watched JDJ before, and I think if I would have watched it before and saw the performances, I would have never said yes. The show will help me gain experience. Dance is not just about making right moves, it also teaches you endurance and patience. Also, I believe that everything that you get involved with leaves you richer with knowledge and experience, instead of Jhalak, it could have been any other role in some other show.
Your favourite dance forms:
I am not so well trained as of now that I can list the names of the dance forms. But I am learning new names everyday Bachata, Jives. I knew Bollywood and contemporary. While I am rehearsing and learning techniques I am getting to know about the various kinds of dances.
Favourite dance sequence:
I never paid attention to dance but when I think of it in Bollywood I can only think of Madhubala in Mughal-e-Azam’s Pyaar Kiya to Darna Kya. I just love her expressions and the grace with which the actress has performed. My other favourite is the qawwali from the same film, Teri Mehfil Me Kismat Aazma Kar Hum Bhi Dekhenge. I give importance to expressions in the dance sequence.
Your strength and weakness as a dancer:
As an actor and theatre artist I understand the role of expressions very well. Sometimes a choreography is not just about techniques it is about emotions that you present in your performance. So I think as an actress I have an advantage of expressing myself better on stage.
The weakness is that my body is still rigid and not used to such strenuous stretching and other moves. I will take some time in improving my stamina to match the steps of the choreographer and to last for two and a half minutes performance on stage.
What do you like about your choreographerIJ
Savio is training me and it has been only a few days now. But I must complement him for his patience. He understands that I am a non-dancer and I will learn gradually. He is a fantastic dancer and I would work hard to come up to the expectations.