Ready for the big challenge?

They have been achievers all the way, stars in their field – the fourth season of “Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa”, based on the international format “Dancing With The Stars”, has an interesting line-up of 12 celebrities, paired with professional dancers, who will take on the challenge with one mission – India ka manoranjan!
There’s Ragini Khanna, the popular television bahu, hot couple Sushant Singh Rajput and Ankita Lokhande, singer-actor Meiyang Chang, the lovable bhabhi Renuka Shahane, girl with a golden voice Anushka Manchanda, Arjuna awardee boxer Akhil Kumar Yadav, sizzling model Yana Gupta, the witty Shekhar Suman, comic star Krushna Abhishek and Mahi Vij.Not only will the show feature themes like Street Dancing, Swinging 60s, Disco 70s and Superstar Special, but contestants will be subjected to hurdles like shadow dancing, blindfold, rope acts and mid-air dancing. The participants need not worry too much, hosts Mona Singh and Sumeet Raghavan are going to be there to support them. Watch the show every Monday and Tuesday, on Sony Entertainment Television at 9pm.
Remo
Another exciting thing about the show is the panel of judges. There’s dance guru Remo, the sexy Malaika ‘Munni’ Arora Khan and none other than Bollywood’s dhak-dhak girl Madhuri Dixit. “I’m here right now only for “Jhalak...”,” said the talented actress, who’s now based in LA. The participants in the show have impressed the dancing queen. Equally charged up about her role as a judge is Malaika, whose recent “Munni” number from “Dabangg” has become a rage all over. “I love my job,” said Malaika, ready to don the judge’s hat. And for Remo, being next to the two beauties, who are fabulous dancers, is indeed memorable apart from judging well-known names from the entertainment world.
My wife fears I am overdoing it
But that’s what I have always done, says the oldest contestant on the show – Shekhar Suman
What does age have to do with anything? And the versatile Shekhar Suman is set to rock it in the dancing field, this time. And he’s put in a lot of effort. “I not only get up at 6am but also rehearse for over eight hours daily to make sure I don’t forget any step. My wife fears I’m overdoing it, but I believe that’s what I have always done. Honestly speaking, to be performing a jig is a scary thought, at least to me. That’s why I have been turning down dance-based reality shows. But I accepted “Jhalak...” because it will help me learn different dance forms – Salsa, Zumba, etc – without me having to shell out any money. In fact, I’m being paid to do this! So how could have I not said yes,” he says.
Packing a punch
Akhil Kumar Yadav is ready to pack a punch! Till now, the boxer, who’s made India proud, has never had the time to shake a leg, but his choreographer is trying hard to bring out the best in him, we hear. The shy and low-profile Akhil might just surprise everyone like former hockey player Mir Ranjan Negi did. Negi shocked even himself with his moves in one of the previous seasons.
All ready to learn
Renuka Shahane, like all other contestants, is anxious, but also excited about getting to learn various dance forms. Hubby Ashutosh Rana is glad she’s taken part in the show. “He encouraged me to take it up. In fact literally pushed me to, because he knew that even though I wanted to, I have this stage fright,” she says.
(Compiled by Roshni K Olivera, Lisa Antao and Simi Kuriakose)
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