Indian version of Dancing with the stars to air on Sony Sep 7

New Delhi, Aug 25 (UNI) Reality shows seeking to transform celebrities with two left feet into professional dancers a'la Prabhu Deva, Javed Jaffrey or Shiamak Davar seem to be in vogue on television.

Close on the heels of Star One announcing the launch of second season of its popular celebrity dance show 'Nach Baliye', Sony Entertainment television, in a clear bid to cash in on the 'hot trend', has announced the launch of 'Jhalak Dikhla Jaa'.

It is a show which will have some of India's well known personalities like cricketer Ajay Jadeja, celebrity chef and 'kitchen king' Sanjiv Kapoor, TV actors Mona Singh, Shweta Salve and Akashdeep Sehgal along withTV diva and talk show host Pooja Bedi, film actor Rati Agnihotri and filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar trying their hands at a skill that has never been their cup of tea - dancing.

'Jhalak Dikhla Jaa' based on the internationally-renowned reality-based dance show 'Dancing with the Stars', which has made a huge success worldwide out of having celebrities from different walks of life like sports, fashion, films and music performing with professional dance partners on a highly competitive stage. It will be on air on September 7 at 2200 hrs the CEO of Sony Entertainment television India Pvt Ltd, N P Singh announced at a press meet here yesterday.

The show, whose international format, owned by the BBC, has been a huge success across 27 countries like Britain, US, Australia, New Zealand, Italy and many other countries, is being produced for SET in India by Siddharth Basu's Synergy Communications (makers of the hugely-successful 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' and 'Mastermind') and Theatre Red.

Judging the celebrities from different walks of life on their dancing skills - their chemistry with the professional dance partners, thir dancing style and their level of passion - will be a panel of three judges which include classic filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Bollywood choreographer-turned-filmmaker Farah Khan and the beautiful and svelte Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty.

The celebrities will be paired with their highly skilled dance partners who are accomplished dancers. The professional dancers will train, support and complement the celebrities some of whom have never danced before.

So, while celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor will be partnered with choreographer Nicole Alvaris, filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar with dancer Sonia Jaffer, TV diva Pooja Bedi will be paired with dancer Hanif Hilal, TV actor Shweta salve will be partnered with choreographer Longinus, Cricketer Ajay Jadeja with dancer Rea Krishnatraye, TV actor Mona Singh with choreographer Toby, actor Rati Agnihotri with Bollywood choreographer Feroz Khan and TV actor Akashdeep Sehgal with dancer Bindi Khare.

Speaking about the show, Siddharth Basu said,''Song and dance is what the popular culture in India is all about. What makes this show unique in the history of Indian television, as well as interesting is that unlike other dance shows (like 'Boogie Woogie'), here the contestants, while being established figures in their respective fields, are not trained dancers." "Infact, what has made the show work all over the world is the amazing chemistry between celebrities like basketball player Michael Jordan and Footballer Diego Maradona and their professional dance partners which has led to their transformation into professional dancers,'' he added.

''What is interesting about the show is the fact that despite not being adept in dancing, these celebrities are endeavouring to put their best foot forward. It is this spirit that has made the show a huge success in several countries of the world and I am certain, it will be success in India too,''Basu said.

''The basic purpose of the show is to present to viewers an aspect of the celebrities they have not hitherto seen. In away the show presents the best of 'bharat' in song and dance by having celebrities from varied walks of life and hailing from different regions trying to showcase their dancing skills,''he said.

More UNI AR DKB VP1022