Exclusive - Tanishaa Mukerji: Ajay Devgn and my sister Kajol are National award winning actors, till the time I don't come close to that I can't call myself a star

Tanishaa Mukerji, who has done reality shows like Bigg Boss and Khatron Ke Khiladi, is returning to television with Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 11. The actress joined ETimes TV for an exclusive chat wherein she spoke about how she bagged the dance reality show, mother Tanuja and sister Kajol's reaction and her comeback. She also opened up about the constant comparisons with elder sister Kajol that she has to deal with. She stated that Ajay Devgn and her sister Kajol are National award winning actors and till the time she doesn't come close to that, she can't call herself a star. (Photo: Instagram)

I’d never imagined that I would have a dance competition show and it is a very challenging process. Dancing or performing on stage at events is a different thing but performing in a competition is different. When you are in competition you are getting marked, you are performing in front of judges and this is a nerve-wrecking process. Rehearsals are very hectic, busy and crazy. No matter how much we rehearse for the show it feels it is not enough as we are performing with choreographers at the end of the day. To match up to their level and perform is very challenging. I have developed a new respect for dancers all over the world who go there and push their bodies. (Photo: Instagram)

I must say I’m very impressed with television in India today. It is extremely professional and they are very good with their technical team. The Jhalak team is fantastic, they have been doing this for 11 seasons. They just know what they are doing and they got their timing right. I have been a part of other reality shows but I have never seen the back stage or behind the scenes, how these shows work. (Photo: Instagram)

The filming, the technical crew, camera work, this I’ve never seen. The last time I saw it was when my mom was working in television. In her time she had done a show, Aur Bhi Hain Rahein and I remember television was all about waiting. It was professional but they did not have that equipments, budget. Today the budgets television has, some of the films don’t have. (Photo: Instagram)

I wasn’t offered Jhalak directly. One of my friends asked me if I was interested in doing the show then he would pitch my name. To be honest it’s been 10 years I’ve not done anything that is so big. I’ve done films but in reality space or on television which the viewers keep watching, I have not been part of that. I asked them during the meeting that whoever has done the show, they have been a dancer and no actress has done who is not a dancer. I am a definite non-dancer and I’m an actor. The team made me understand that this is a journey of a non-dancer becoming a dancer. (Photo: Instagram)

I have always wished to be a dancer since childhood. I wanted to be a ballerina and I even wanted to do Kathak, but I never got a chance. I was like this has now come to me and I’ve done it. At that time the team told me we will get back to you. I was ‘what we will see’, Mera thoda ego jaag Gaya. But then I told myself Tanishaa you have not been out there and there are other girls who they have in their mind and they might be more popular. There was no buzz for the next four, five days and then I actually thought this won’t work. I was in Kedarnath and I got a call for the show. I was standing outside the temple and I got a call. I felt this was a gift from God. I just said yes to the show. (Photo: Instagram)

I did not plan that moment at all. I didn’t even think about it. When I was there performing, Farah ma’am is one of the judges who has been such a huge part of Kajol’s journey. I’ve seen her choreograph Kajol and Rani. When she told me that I performed like a star, I actually felt like a star for the first time in my life. But I also wanted to make it clear why I felt like that because I’ve not accomplished things.

I have a long way to go and the level that I need to match up to is very high. Ajay Devgn and Kajol are National Award winning actors, my level is there. If I don’t come close to that I can’t call myself a star in my own eyes. Kisi Aur ke aankhon mein nahi. It will take some time till the time I call myself a star. But I’m hoping this journey is that transformation. I hope it brings out the inner light. (Photo: Instagram)

Honestly now I laugh over the comparisons. How can you compare? She has green eyes, curly hair, I have black eyes, straight hair. She is a completely different kind of actor. Today with maturity it’s even easier to accept. Initially, I used to ignore it but now I laugh over it. Because the people who are trolling me and comparing me are not telling anything about me, they are showing who they are. What insecurities they are dealing with they are putting out on social media. (Photo: Instagram)

I know it will happen even now that I’ve come to Jhalak. I have joined the show and I will be judged. A lot of people will be appreciating me but there will be a whole section of people who will say negative things about me. But that can’t be my measure. It has to be what I think about myself. When I talk about stardom, I’m comparing myself to a very high level. (Photo: Instagram)

My mom and Kajol are very excited about my participation. My mother and sister have totally supported me 100 percent in everything. They are very happy and excited to see me on Jhalak. Dancing is very new and they are very happy. (Photo: Instagram)

We have lived in the same house. So there is this amazing comfort that we have between us. It’s like if you meet your enemy also from the boarding school you are like hi babe. It’s so nice to see her. We have this great relationship and I feel a lot of the things that happened on the show were also manufactured. We played along. (Photo: Instagram)