Rajul Hegde in Mumbai
Dancing queen Madhuri Dixit is back on television to judge the new edition of dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5, along with choreographer-turned-director Remo D'Souza and the new judge, filmmaker Karan Johar
Madhuri talks to Rajul Hegde about dance, family, and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5.
Are you happy to be back on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa?
I enjoy dancing. It's something that I am passionate about. I still practice it.
Contestants on the show are celebrities in their own right and most of them don't dance. I am here to encourage them with the right tips.
In the show, you have paid a dancing tribute to actresses of yesteryears.
Yes. It is about dances through the generations and where we are today. Pakeezah was my favourite film for its dance and it was wonderful recreating it.
'I stepped out of my comfort zone, which is dancing, to sing'
You are making a debut as a singer in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.
Every celebrity on the show will come out of their comfort zone and try to do something different. Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa is about dance but it has people from different walks of life stepping out of their comfort zones.
International cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya will be on a completely different pitch here. Karan Johar has recited a poem. So, even I stepped out of my comfort zone, which is dancing, to sing.
The tune has been maintained from the orginal track, Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein but with different lyrics.
It is my way of saying thank you to people who have loved me for so many years. My mother has done a Master's in Hindustani classical music and I have grown up listening to her.
'It's a very good feeling to be home'
Will there be any change in the format this season?
They will make it as different as possible. There will be a Madhuri step of the week. It could be any style, gesture or movement that the contestant displays. Whatever catches my fancy will be the moment.
Have you settled down and are you happy with the kind of work coming your way?
My kids, husband, and parents are happy. Of course, it's a very good feeling to be home. I'm also happy to see that the brand that I created is still alive.
'My husband enjoys music and dance'
Darsheel Safary is the youngest contestant on the show. Will you judge him differently?
Age does not matter. The judging criteria will be same. After all, kids teach adults.
He is going to dance with a partner of his height. Any choreographer would have been taller than him and it is difficult to dance with them. He is a confident kid. Yes, we have a soft corner for him but dance is dance.
Do your kids and husband enjoy watching you dance on screen? Do they dance?
My husband enjoys music and dance. My kids perform at school, and show off their moves at home. They have been dancing to all the latest Bollywood numbers.
Now they are older and are capable of understanding what's going on. They are keen to know how I will score them (smiles).
'What's the big deal if you gain weight?'
Can you talk about your forthcoming films?
Dedh Ishqiya is interesting because I will be working with Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad (Warsi). It is about a game played by con artists. I had seen Ishqiya and was impressed with the director's (Abhishek Chaubey) work. And also with Vishal Bhardwaj. That's why I took up the film.
I found the concept of Gulab Gang very interesting. I am not playing a gangster and neither is it about gangsters. We are a group of women who are vigilantes, visiting small villages and trying to solve their problems
Actresses, who have gained weight because of their pregnancies, have been constantly under media scrutiny. You too had put on weight but now have reduced.
When you have a kid, your priorities change. Everything revolves around the child and at that point, you don't care about yourself. Every mother goes through it. So what's the big deal?
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