Season 6 of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa promises to be bigger and better. With a host of new celebs from TV shows and the film industry on the roll call, Colors is hoping to cash in on the prime time weekend slot. The show is still some time away and the organisers are not willing to give anything just as yet. Deebashree Mohanty speaks with some probables and the new co-host for this installment of the reality show
Snazzier, funnier, tougher, hotter, sexier and bolder — that’s the six-pack avatar of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Season 6 on Colors. Whether the show lives up to this reputation, remains to be seen but, at present, the buzz is all there and the suspense hanging fire. Not willing to give too much of a peek into the upcoming show at this stage, the production team only tells you how it’s been endless hard work post the fifth installment. It is tiring for the judges as well, something Karan Johar can’t stop talking about. He does agree that this celebrity dance reality show excites him like none of his other films has.
Dancing has always been a challenge for KJo but he loves to take on the impossible. He also prides himself as being capable of arranging a sangeet pronto — something he says, others in the industry are incapable of. “Oh yeah! I love partying and dance comes naturally to me. But that’s more like a hip hopping, body swishing kind of a dance routine. There are no steps as such (laughs). I have learnt quite a bit from Mads and Remo,” he says. He tells you that he set aside all other projects so he could do Jhalak this season.
“I am very seriously into this show. I think I have done well as a mentor-cum-judge. Why should I leave when I am having fun and making money at the same timeIJ” Kjo asks you.
For the time been though, the director is busy moving from one studio to the other. “I am juggling between Jhalak promo shoots and some films that are due for release. It’s been quite hectic,” he says.
Hectic it is going to be for participants too — some of them hopping multiple shows along with Jhalak. Kapil Sharma, is a case in point. The funny man who has made us laugh for four all seasons of Comedy Circus on Sony Entertainment, is all set to give Manish Paul company (read competition) as the co-host this season. He tells you how excited he is to play the pakao host. “I think I am the only person who has visited the sets of every reality show on TV. JDJ is a very likeable show and I am happy to be in it,” Sharma says.
Agrees Manish. “Kapil is a pal. He is entertainment ka badshaah. Not many people would know that Kapil is a terrible dancer. I shall expose that on stage,” Paul says. like Sharma, Paul too has his plate full but all else can wait for JDJ. “I used to eat, drink and sleep JDJ. Even now, when some friends ask me if I am part of Season 6, I tell them: Abhi to gaya thha... and people are talking about me coming back,” he says.
If the hosts are gearing up for the show, so are the participants. Most of them have confirmed their participation but there are a few others who could make a last-minute entry. Siddharth Shukla from Balika Vadhu (BV) was one of the first to jump on this opportunity. The star who is shooting non-stop to complete bulk episodes for BV, says he feels exhausted but is hoping to have fun on the sets of JDJ.
“I would have felt very left out had the channel not approached me for Jhalak’s Season 6. Now that I am in, I am nervous. Am not a great dancer but I can pick up steps very fast. let’s hope my choreographer has patience,” Shukla tells you. He has been ‘hot property’ ever since his stint with BV but Shukla prefers to take it one serial at a time.
If Shukla, Karan Kundra and Eijaz Khan have given their nod for the show, singer Shaan is not sure whether he can manage his schedule with JDJ. “I do a lot of concerts and have already signed a few films as playback singer. I am also working on my new album. This is an exciting project and am trying my best to fit it in my schedule,” Shaan says. The singer has made many appearances on TV reality shows but this would be his first dance-based show.
For someone like Karan Kundra, a seasoned dancer and a popular face on TV, JDJ could be a cakewalk. With three Vikram Bhatt films under his belt, Kundra is riding high on his popularity. “I am still finalising a few things with the channel. You need to give a reality show your full commitment. I don’t want to take up something just for the heck of it,” he says.
Meanwhile, Drashti Dhami who shot to fame first as Geet in Geet Hui Parayi and now with Madhubala has her fingers crossed. An ardent Madhuri Dixit fan, Dhami would love to be in JDJ, if she is asked. “Who would want to miss out on an opportunity like thisIJ I haven’t been contacted by the channel yet,” Dhami says. The channel, however, says Dhami is definitely on board.
Same goes with Ammaji Meghna Malik who is she going to make a comeback to Colors with Jhalak. “I am still considering it,” Malik says. A fitness freak and a passionate actor, Meghna will not disappoint on the dance floor.
Yet another name doing the rounds is of Aarti Chhabria who is Ekta Kapoor’s leading lady in Shootout At Wadala. According to the channel, the sexy Chabaria has already given her consent.
As for the format, nothing much will change. “You cannot change anything about something that is already good. Of course the dance tasks will be interesting,” KJo concludes.
The Probables
Shaan: last appeared in a reality show in 2007. He is keen to join JDJ but is not sure how to manage his time. He is a singer par excellence and is popular with the masses. But modern dance styles may not suit him
Meghna Malik: Veteran actress who has a fit bod. Channel says she is in but Malik is not too sure. Could be a favourite with the judges. But may not do well with tough tasks
Aarti Chhabria: Excellent dancer and has an appeal. Capable of perfect scores
Siddharth Shukla: Collector sahab of Balika Vadhu says he’s a keen learner. Has been a part of some performances on TV award shows. Decent dancer with many awards to his name
Karan Kundra: Very popular on TV and has a massive fan following. Great dancer and performer
Eijaz Khan: Popular actor on TV and in films. But, has no formal training in dance
Drashti Dhami: Good looking and hardworking actress. A Madhuri Dixit fan, Dhami says she can dance like the diva