With its unique concept that combines adventure, dance and action, life OK’s latest show could be a melting point in the reality format, says Karan Bhardwaj
What comes to mind when you think of dance-based reality showsIJ Mundane dance moves, predictable buffooneries of the anchors, pretty faces on the judging panel, orchestrated emotions, rustic comedy hiccups and every tried and tested formula... apart from an attempt to offer the audience something new or refreshing. However, someone is finally breaking the norm of a regular dance format with a first-of-its-kind show on the idiot box. life OK’s latest reality show Dare 2 Dance, to be hosted by Akshay Kumar, crashes all the clichéd ideas. There’s no floor, no judging panel and not even amateur contestants (read celebrities). To be shot in South Africa, the show will test the levels of endurance of each contestant to go from good to great. The dance floor will be taken away from under their feet to new heights and depths, quite literally. There will be performances in moving trucks and deep valleys. The contestants, comprising both celebrities and trained dancers, will combine daring stunts with dance. “The dance is obviously the vital element but we have taken away the floor and lights from under the feet of the performers. The show will be shot in real locations testing the strength and endurance of the participants. They will be seen dancing submerged under water and on buildings, performing vertical dancing and even on ice,” says Ajit Thakur, general manager, life OK.
Apparently, the channel seems to have taken a leaf from rival’s books. Colors’ reality shows have also been high on adrenaline and were shot in South Africa, with Akshay Kumar at helm. In Dare 2 Dance, Kumar will play host, mentor and judge in the show. He will also be seen doing stunts himself and help contestants improve their performance card, which is based on different levels, one to six. There will be a new theme each week. “Our focus is not on the elimination but help the contestants improve their progress graph. There will be no eviction for first three weeks,” says Thakur. Kumar will be assisted by two advisors, a choreographer and a stunt director, to judge the performance.
The channel has been working on the concept for last nine months and the actor has played an active role in chalking out the daring tasks. “Akshay is a perfect combo of dare, stunt and dance. In the last five years, he has been running on a dream run. He has added Rs2000 crore to the box office,” Thakur tells us.
The channel also promises to come up with new ideas in almost every genre. “We desperately need to reinvent formats which have got stagnant in the last 10 years. Our recent show, laut Aao Trisha, which is an adaptation of a Spanish show, also stand out in 10 pm slot,” he says.
CONTESTANTS
Though the channel is tightlipped about the contestants, our sources inform that they have already been shooting in Cape Town for 15 days. According to sources Kunwar Amarjeet Singh (Dil Dostii Dance fame), Rithvik Dhanjani (winner of Nach Baliye season 6), Mayuresh, Sanam Johar, Alisha Singh (Dance India Dance), actress Sayantani Ghosh and Karishma Tanna will be taking part. There will be three contestants, each from France, UK and US. They include British model and dancer Scarlett Mellish Wilson and Emli, who performed as a body double for Katrina Kaif in Dhoom 3.