Exclusive - Shoaib Ibrahim on doing Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 11: Dipika was the one who told me, I can handle Ruhaan now, you go ahead and live your dream

Shoaib Ibrahim is currently entertaining fans with his dancing skills in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 11. He is truly performing like a hero and has already earned accolades from judges Farah Khan, Arshad Warsi and Malaika Arora. The actor in an exclusive interview to ETimes TV opened up about doing his dream show, wife Dipika Kakar’s reaction to him bagging Jhalak and more. During the conversation, Shoaib mentioned that Dipika’s journey in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa was incomplete and now he wants to win the show for her. He further spoke about his son Ruhaan and how he is their lucky charm.

Yes, I’ve been working really hard for the show. I’m rehearsing for around 5-6 hours for the show and repeating my steps to get everything right. My body is not used to it. Be it stretching or the lifts, there’s pain in each part of my body (laughs). There are times when I even get tears because of the pain. But I don’t have any complaints because I’m trying to get out of my comfort zone and facing the challenges. I am trying my best to learn a lot on this journey of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. I want to entertain my fans with good acts.

There’s no doubt that Jhalak was my dream and I wanted to do the show. But from the moment I’ve been offered the show, Dipika has been more happy and excited than me. Her excitement level is on the next level. She had also participated on the show but unfortunately her journey came to a halt in the first episode.

Jhalak is nothing short of a dream for me. Like others it was also my dream to be on the show someday and luckily this year my dream has come true. I remember when I entered the industry 14 years ago and the amount of excitement I had while bagging my debut show, the same excitement I had when I got the offer of Jhalak. I have always had a few dreams and doing Jhalak was one of them.

Farah ma’am complimenting me in the first episode and calling me a hero was a big thing for me. When it happened to me and she said that, I actually didn’t know how to react. Being on the show and performing in front of these huge stars is like a dream for me. I’ve been in this industry for 14 years, fans love me, all that is fine but performing in front on Farah ma’am, Arshad sir, Malaika Ma’am is a big thing for me. A lot of people want to talk to them meet them and I’m getting to perform in front of them is a huge thing and then also getting praised that I performed like a hero, it mattered a lot to me. I just hope I’m able to maintain it.

Yes, I’m able to manage my time well for the rehearsals because thankfully everything is happening at the right time. Ajooni went off-air and I got three months time with my baby Ruhaan. The initial phase is very important for parents and we all want to stay with our child during that time, I’m lucky I got that time. That is also the time when your wife needs you the most and I’m happy that I got to be with Dipika and Ruhaan.

Yes, Ruhaan is a big blessing for me and there’s no doubt. Ye show Milta nahi Milta is a different thing but Ruhaan is in itself a blessing for us from God. I will try my best to make him proud so that when he grows up and watches me on the show, he can say Papa I’m proud of you. Currently, Dipika and mom are saying that they are proud of me and I want him to also say this.

When Jhalak started many years ago, I was not a part of the industry at that point of time but while watching on television, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa dancing with the stars, I used to tell myself I will also do the show someday but I didn’t know it would really come true. Entering the industry, establishing myself as an actor and surviving in the industry and finally making it to the category of stars, apne aap mein it is a proud feeling and now I can say I’m one of them (stars).

Dipika has not given me any tips but she always tells me to enjoy this journey to the fullest. She tells me this is your journey make it the most beautiful one. Don’t take any pressure, just enjoy yourself and give your best.

When the offer came to me for Jhalak, Dipika was the one who told me it’s fine now I can handle Ruhaan, he’s growing up, we all can manage you go ahead and do the show.
She was like I am there, Ammi and my mother are around to take care of Ruhaan, you go and just live your dream.

When I saw the excitement on Dipika’s face of seeing me on the show, and the way she has been explaining to me what all goes behind the acts and how I might have to spend hours in rehearsals, all this has made me realise that I want to win the show for her. Journey Meri hogi Jhalak ki par Manzil Mujhe Dipika ke liye paani hai… All my efforts will be to finish her incomplete journey and also get the trophy for her.