Brishti pore tapur tupur (Pitter-patter falls the rain). The line from Rabindranath Tagore poem inspired Tapur’s grandfather to name his twin granddaughters. This 5’ 8” tall girl is a very popular model. Besides commercials like Titan Raga watches, Lakme and Park Avenue, she also appeared on the covers of magazines like Femina, Elle and Cosmopolitan.
A former Miss India semi-finalist, she did commercial art in college and even won a Nation Award for painting. For now modelling interests her. But the moment boredom sets in Tapur plans to move onto greener pastures. And that does not include Bollywood.
About Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, she says: “I am a Bengali but Mumbai is my jaan," she says. "Dancing is also my jaan. Frankly, I don't know how to dance well, but I would like to give it a try."
Feroz A Khan is her choreographer partner.
Sudha Chandran is a classic case of will power overcoming disability. Though she lost a leg in an accident in 1982, she rose above her tragedy and became an acclaimed Bharatanatyam dancer with the help of a prosthetic Jaipur leg.
She first came on the big screen to enact her own life story in filmmaker Ramoji Rao’s film Mayuri. This was remade in Hindi as Nache Mayuri and soon she began getting offers. But her film career never took off. She was reduced to playing the sister or the bhabhi.
Then she was offered the serial Saahil, where she was noticed again. She went on to anchor Shriman Shrimati, which was directed by Rajan Wagdhare. Wagdhare was so impressed with her wacky sense of humour that he repeated her in another serial, Kabhi Idhar Kabhi Udhar, opposite Shekhar Suman.
There followed a string of serials, but it was her character, Ramola Sikand, in Ekta Kapoor’s Kahin Kissi Roz that made her popular with today’s youth. "Classical dance is different from western dance," Sudha says. "Jhalak is more western. So I have to unlearn a lot of classical dance to adapt to this form."
Umashankar Naik is her choreographer partner.
Sonali Kulkarni is among the most talented actresses of Bollywood. She got hooked to theatre after she attended a workshop by Satyadev Dubey. Later she established Samanvay, a theatre group, with her brother Sandesh in Pune.
She got her first break in Girish Karnad’s film Cheluvi. But she truly arrived with Farhan Akhtar's Dil Chahta Hai. A spate of films like Daayra, Doghi, Taxi No. 9211, Agni Varsha, Darna Zaroori Hai, Pyar Tune Kya Kiya and White Rainbow followed.
She also has an international film to her credit. She acted with Omar Sherif in the Italian film Fuoco Di Su Me directed by Lamberto Lambertini.
Toby Fernandes is her choreographer partner.
But though she was popular on the small screen, it took Shaad Ali's Saathiya to catapult Sandhya into Bollywood fame. Since then she has done several films like Waisa Bhi Hota Hai, Kuch Mitha Ho Jaye, Madhur Bhandarker’s Page 3 and Farhan Akhtar’s Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd.
So why did this spirited gal who hosted Extra Innings during the Cricket World Cup 2003 agree to don a pair of dancing shoes? "I cannot do bahu roles all the time," she says. "Main dil se naachoongi aur sab ki band bajaongi."
Javed Sanadi is her choreographer partner.
Jack of all trades, but master of one—that describes Ronit Roy best. When he first came to Mumbai, he lived and worked with Subhash Ghai for a year. He also tried his hand at being a management trainee for a short time. But management left him uninspired and he quit his job and joined Ghai full time as an assistant director.
When he realised directing was not for him, Ronit joined Sanjiv Sharma and Mansoor Khan’s company, Pilot Communication, to learn editing, photography and scriptwriting. Meanwhile, he turned model and did a few commercials and tried his hand at being a freelance editor. He also directed 25 episodes of Chitrahaar on Doordarshan.
He hit the silver screen with Jaan Tere Naam, which was a hit in 1992. But success was slow coming to him. Though he acted in over 30 films in 10 years, it was only when he turned to the small screen that he finally found his niche. He is best remembered for two roles—Mihir Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu ThiKasauti Zindagi Ki. and Rishab Bajaj in
"I have been doing serials for the last seven years and I am happy to get this opportunity of dancing," says Ronit, who also has a security agency, Ace Security & Protection, which he started during a low phase in his acting career. “I hope I am able to win the hearts of people with my dancing skills."
Nicole Alvares is his choreographer partner.
Prachi Desai is a television actress best known for her role as Bani in the television drama Kasamh Se. The role made her the sweetheart and role model of many young girls. She also won several awards—Sansui Television Award for Best Actress, Indian Telly Couple of the Year Award for on screen chemistry with Ram Kapoor, and Indian Telly Fresh New Face of the Year (Female) Award.
"I am happy to get a chance so early in life," Prachi says. "I have the won hearts of housewives as Bani. Now, I have to win the hearts of youngsters with my dancing skills!"
Deepak Singh is her choreographer partner.
Negi’s life has been peppered with pitfalls. He was blamed for the 7-1 defeat at the hands of Pakistan in the 1982 Asian Games. Though he came back as a goalkeeping coach and helped India win the 1998 Asian Games gold at Bangkok, the federation sacked him. Then two years after he led the girls’ team to a gold at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, he lost his son in a road accident.
When things seemed to have hit rock bottom, something happened to change Negi’s life—a story was born out of his struggle. He had not been interested when the idea was first sounded to him. But after he went to the studio at the request of writer Jaideep Sahni and read the script, he was hooked. Producer Aditya Chopra convinced Negi that he was the man best suited to guide the filmmakers. He trained with the girls for six months and transformed them into the believable players they were in the movie.
Now this 51-year-old has taken on another challenge. "When they asked me to come on this show [Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa], I was surprised. In fact, one of the Chak De girls told me that it would be difficult for me to dance,” says Negi. “But then I said I would try and win the hearts of audience."
Marischa Fernandes is his choreographer partner.
On Jhalak, Mini says, "I will dance dil se. You will watch me dancing with my heart and not with my feet! I thought they called me to host the show. So I was completely surprised when I was asked to dance!"
Himendra Sinha is her choreographer partner.
Once people claimed that he was more famous for the infamous kiss with Rakhi Sawant than his music, but all that changed after his extremely popular number, Ganpat, in Shootout At Lokhandwala.
Tanushree Rakshit is his choreographer partner.
This model-turned-actor was first noticed on Disney India’s show Dhoom Machaao Dhoom. He left the show when he was offered the role of Neev Shergill in Ekta Kapoor’s Kayamath. He has also featured in several commercials—the latest being the Lays ad with Saif Ali Khan—and featured in Indian Idol contestant Prajakta Shukre’s music video called Ithun Dhakka.
A huge movie buff, Jay says he likes Bollywood films, replete with drama, suspense and emotion, to Hollywood action thrillers. A big-time gamer, he is also crazy about cricket. What most people don’t know is that he has a spiritual side, too. A devotee of Lord Ganesh, he visits the Siddhivinayak Temple whenever he gets time. In fact, when he landed the lead role in Kayamath, he walked 20 kilometres barefoot (from his house in Ghatkopar) to the temple.
Now he plans to “win everyone's heart” with his dancing abilities.
Bindi Khare is his choreographer partner.
The Bakra man is famous not only for putting his foot in his mouth, but also for putting it in theatre, veejaying, modelling, compering, hosting, and producing. This former MTV VJ made his debut at 14 in a desi version of Neil Simon's Brighton Memoirs. He came into limelight during St Xavier's Malhar festival. After he graduated, Cyrus went to the Lee Strasberg Acting Studio in New York where he studied acting for theatre. After returning to India, he acted in commercials, television serials and plays. His candid-camera show MTV Bakra catapulted him into every drawing room in India.
Now he hosts the programme The Week That Wasn't on CNN-IBN, besides dabbling in a whole bunch of other stuff, including theatre.
But there is also a serious side to him. For a very long time now, he has fought a personal battle against the killing of stray dogs in Mumbai. He holds awareness campaigns to ask people to adopt the dogs, donate money to help sterilise and vaccinate them, and to protect the dogs against municipality’s favoured way of killing them—painful electrocution.
Rozita Rajput is his choreographer partner.
Though Aadesh Srivastava used to compose music as a hobby, he was very undecided what he wanted to do with his life. In 1994 Sudhakar Bokadia signed him on for the film Kanyadaan, with Rishi Kapoor and Divya Bharati, but the film never saw the light of day.
Then Aadesh thought he would follow his head and become a doctor. But his heart got in the way and he decided to follow his passion instead. He moved to Mumbai, learnt to play the drums, and proceeded to gain a foothold in the industry by playing drums for stalwarts like O P Nayyar, Shankar-Jaikishen and Salil Choudhary. He assisted Laxmikant-Pyarelal for almost a decade before striking out on his own.
His first release was Aao Pyar Karen and one of its songs, Madhubala, became a hit. He had several near hits and misses before he established himself. In 1998, he was awarded the Filmfare award for best background score for Border.
He recently performed on the opening day of the Berlin Asia Pacific Film Festival. The festival will also screen Sanaa, a 13-minute film on child prostitution, which marks Aadesh’s debut as a director. Aadesh was also one of the judges on the musical reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005 and is currently part of the jury on STAR Voice of India.
"I will dance with taal, but I will not be betaal,” says Aadesh. "I will also dance with lots of josh. It is an honour for me to be here [Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa]. My son told me that I could do it, so here I am."
Tina Sachdev is his choreographer partner.
Name: Tanushree Rakshit
Place: Pune / Mumbai
Height: 5' 5"
Dance forms: Ballet, Kathak, Modern Ballroom, Latin American Ballroom
Experience: Was a finalist in the Blackpool (UK) Grand finals in the Latin section, 2006. Has been teaching Latin & modern ballroom dance in Pune & Mumbai for the past 3 years.
Paired with: Mika Singh
Name: Rozita Rajput
Place: Mumbai
Height: 5' 5"
Dance forms: Bollywood, Salsa, Jive, Samba, Hip hop, Disco
Experience: Has been teaching Bollywood dance for 3 years.
Paired with: Cyrus Broacha
Name: Tina Sachdev
Place: Mumbai
Height: 5' 2"
Dance forms: Bollywood, Ballroom, Salsa, Jazz, Hip hop
Experience: Performed a show in Japan and is doing a commercial for Fanta. Has been teaching at Sumit Gangulys Sway for 2 years.
Paired with: Aadesh Srivastava
Name: Nicole Alvares
Place: Mumbai
Height: 5' 7"
Dance forms: Salsa, Samba, Cha Cha, Jive, Waltz
Experience: Has been teaching dance for 4 years.
Paired with: Ronit Bose Roy
Name: Marischa Fernandes
Place: Mumbai
Height: 5' 6.5"
Dance forms: Salsa, Jive, Waltz, Cha Cha, Disco, Hip Hop, Jugalbandi, Jazz, Bollywood Experience: Has been teaching dance for 10 years.
Paired with: Mir Ranjan Negi
Name: Bindi Khare
Place: Mumbai
Height: 5' 1"
Dance forms: Salsa, Samba, Cha Cha, Jive, Waltz, Disco and Bollywood
Experience: Has been teaching dance for 8 years.
Paired with: Jai Bhanushali
Name: Tiburtius Fernandes
Place: Mumbai
Height: 5' 9"
Dance forms: Salsa, Samba, Cha Cha, Jive, Waltz, Disco, Jugalbandi and Bollywood, Rumba and Bollywood
Experience: Has been teaching dance for 15 years.
Paired with: Sonali Kulkarni
Name: Himendra Sinha
Place: Mumbai
Height: 5' 8.5"
Dance forms: Free style dancing, Duo and Bollywood style, Salsa, Jive, Salsa and Bollywood dance
Experience: Represented India at the Malibu Dance Championship and won the friendship award. Currently directing a movie on Dance 2008. Has been teaching Jive and Rock-n-Roll for 17 years and Salsa and Bollywood dance for 11 years.
Paired with: Mini Mathur
Name: Deepak Singh
Place: Mumbai
Height: 5' 8"
Dance forms: Salsa, Samba, Cha Cha, Jive, Waltz, Bachata, Merengue and Bollywood Experience: Has been teaching dance for more than 6 years.
Paired with: Prachi Desai
Name: Umashankar Naik Place: Mumbai
Height: 5' 8"
Dance forms: Salsa, Samba, Cha Cha, Jive, Rumba, Jazz and Hip Hop
Experience: Choreographed for Vikram Bhatt's Mumbai Salsa and Ram Gopal Varma’s Darna Zaroori Hai. Has been teaching dance for more than 9 years.
Paired with: Sudha Chandran
Name: Javed Sanadi
Place: Mumbai
Height: 5' 9"
Dance forms: Cha Cha, Salsa, Rumba, Samba, Jazz, Folk Dance, Ballet
Experience: Has been teaching dance for 6 years.
Paired with: Sandhya Mridul
Name: Firoz A Khan
Place: Mumbai
Height: 5' 9"
Dance forms: Salsa, Jive, Hip Hop, Indian and Bollywood mix
Experience: Has been teaching dance for 8 years.
Paired with: Tapur Chatterji
Rohit Roy
Rohit Roy was a science graduate with dreams of doing his MBA in the US when fate led him down another road. When he did not get a student visa, Rohit took up the first job he got—as a salesman at a Zodiac store. Soon after, he began working as an assistant director to ad filmmaker Kunal Kapoor; he also took up offers to model. It was then that director Anant Balani spotted him and offered him the lead role in his film Jazbaat. Though the film didn’t do well, Rohit realised that acting was his true calling.
His next assignment—Rishabh Malhotra in the soap Swabhimaan—established him as a household name. Since then there has been no looking back. He acted in Zee TV’s Baat Ban Jaaye and directed 52 episodes of its second season. His stint as the brash scion of a political family in Sarrkkar won him kudos, while his role in Viraasat won him three awards—best actor, best dressed actor on TV and the Society Magazine Young Achiever’s award.
He has also hosted a number of live events and game shows like The Price is Right on Channel Nine, Dance Divas on Zoom, Sa Re Ga Ma on Zee, Houzee on Play TV, and is currently doing Wild Ten on Zee Music.
Rohit is one actor who has managed to straddle both TV and films with equal ease. He did films like Delhii Heights, Shootout at Lokhandwala and Dus Kahaniyan. Now Rohit wants to direct his first film by the end of the year.
Mona Singh
Mona Singh came to the forefront as Jasmeet Walia aka Jassi in the popular television serial Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin (2003). "Whatever I have achieved today, whatever I am is because of the serial. The response has been phenomenal. I never thought it would be such a huge hit. I feel really lucky,” she says.
After Jassi…, Mona wanted to create an identity for herself as Mona Singh in showbiz. In 2006, she participated in Jhalak Dikhla Jaa (based on the internationally-renowned reality-based dance show Dancing with the Stars) and won.
Her current projects include hosting the Indian version of the popular international TV show Extreme Makeover. The Sony show will travel to five cities looking for people whose faces have been damaged or scarred at birth or in an accident. “We are looking for serious cases where faces have been damaged due to explosions or acid attacks. There are many people in India who hide such members of the family. We are here to change their lives forever,” said Mona.
Mona has also taken over from Mandira Bedi and will now host Extraa Shots on Set Max. She is very excited about her new role. “Once I started shooting for it, I realised it's quite a tough job. I have to speak and speak, and at the same time be camera-friendly,” she said.
Jeetendra Kapoor
Jeetendra aka Ravi Kapoor was born into a business family that dealt in jewellery. But he decided to break away from tradition. Filmmaker V Shantaram gave him his break in Bollywood in 1959 in his film Navrang. But Jeetendra’s true break came in 1964 when he bagged the lead role in Shantaram's Geet Gaya Pattharon Ne. He came into the limelight with Ravikant Nagaich's Farz in 1967. His clothes—tee shirt and white shoes—in the film’s song Mast Baharon Ka Main Aashiq made him a style icon.
Jeetendra starred in over 200 movies, from 1959 to 2005 (his last film was Ho Jaata Hai Pyaar) and he earned the nickname ‘Jumping Jack of Bollywood’ because of his lively dance moves.
Jeetendra and his wife Shobha have two children—Ekta and Tusshar. While Ekta, along with her father, runs Balaji Telefilms, Tusshar is making a name for himself as an actor.
Urmila Matondkar
Urmila Matondkar started her career as a child artist—the best known of her early movies was Masoom (1983). She made her film debut as an adult with the film NarasimhaDrohi in 1992. Since then, she has starred in many other productions of his, the most notable of which was her first major hit, Rangeela (1995). alongside Sunny Deol. In the early 90s, she began her collaboration with Ram Gopal Varma. Her first film with him was
Urmila was one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1990s. In the 2000s, she began to prove that she was a talented actress and delivered a range of critically acclaimed performances. She received various ‘Best Villain’ nominations for her role as an obsessive lover in Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya, and won her first Filmfare Award for Best Performer for her role as a possessed woman in Bhoot. She was also highly praised for her roles as a merciless avenger in Ek Hasina Thi and a caring daughter in Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara.
Shiamak Davar
“Dancing is my true being. It is my sole nature and my soul nature, my only existence,” says Shiamak Davar, who runs Shiamak Davar's Institute for the Performing Arts (SDIPA), a renowned dancing school with branches in all major cities. At the dance school, dance programs are designed to work the parts of your body that need to build up strength and flexibility, gradually and according to each person’s body rhythm and temperament.
India’s leading choreographer has choreographed many stage shows and awards nights like IIFA, Stardust and Filmfare. He also represented India at world events including the World Economic Forum in Davos, the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games Melbourne 2006, the Indo-Japan Friendship Year 2007 inaugural event in Tokyo and the Indian Economic Forum in Rome, Italy.
Shiamak has choreographed for movies like Taal, Bunty aur Bubli, Dil To Pagal Hai, etc. His latest work can be seen in Dhoom 2 and the up-coming Sanjay Leela Bhansali film Sawaariya.
Shiamak is also a gifted singer and has performed with the legendary singer and songwriter Sting. His Hindi pop album Mohabbat Karle sold more than 1.2 million copies in India alone. He also sang the title song of Hrishikesh Mukerjee’s Jhoot Bole Kauwa Katte. Shiamak won the best music video award for Dil Chahe, which he directed, designed and choreographed.
Shiamak’s Victory Arts Foundation (a non-profit trust) also spreads the power of dance to underprivileged children—children who are infected with, affected by or vulnerable to HIV/ADIS, and physically or mentally challenged children.
Dil se naachenge, Dil jeetenge… Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa II- Dancing with the Stars Starting this September 28, Fridays & Saturdays 9.00 p.m. Only on Sony Entertainment Television
Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa-Dancing with the Stars, the show that left viewers spellbound across the country with its first season, is back to sweep you off your feet! The invigorating title track Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa…had the country sway along with the celebrity couples, making it one of the most popular and talked about shows on Indian television. The first season had celebrities from different walks of life who had never danced shedding their inhibitions on this show. Week after week the celebrities swirled and mastered different dance forms from rumba to salsa, cha cha to waltz and jive to the tango to stay on the show. Mona SinghJhalak Dikhhla Jaa. aka Jassi who never danced before faced tough competition but with her never say die spirit and spectacular performances won the hearts of the viewers and eventually became the proud winner of the first season of -
Come September 28, the second season of the original reality based dance show format Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa - Dancing with the Stars will be back on your television screens every Friday and Saturday at 9.00 pm only on Sony Entertainment Television.
This season will be even bigger and better and presents an interesting line-up of 12 celebrities paired with professional dancers who will take on the challenge! This year too, the show presents a great mix of talent who will set the stage on fire and take the spirit of dance to another level.
The 12 celebrities are 'Indian Idol host' Mini Mathur, 'Mr. Bajaj of small screen' Ronit Roy, 'the eternal vamp Ramola Sikand' Sudha Chandran, 'the ganpath voice' Mika Singh, the 'bindaas babe' Sandhya Mridul, 'bakra boy' Cyrus Brocha, 'film and theatre actor' Sonali Kulkarni, 'music director' Aadesh Shrivastav, 'Bani the popular bahu on television' Prachi Desai, 'the hockey coach ' Mir Ranjan Negi, 'hot-shot model' Tapur Chatterjee and the popular 'Kayamath star' Jay Banushali.
This time too the contestants will perform before a live studio audience, judges and the entire viewing public to prove their mettle. This second season will witness three new judges who will bring a fresh new perspective to the show.
The eminent panel of judges are the 'Rangeela girl', who is a popular film actress and an electrifying dancer Urmila Matondkar, India's leading choreographer Shiamak Davar, who is the pioneer of a popular nationwide chain of dance academy in contemporary dance styles in India. The third judge is a stalwart of the film and television industry, once known as the Jumping Jack for his dancing skills, Jeetendra.
Television's handsome hunk and successful film actor Rohit Roy and last season's winner, Mona Singh will host the show. Together they will not only encourage the celebrity participants but also add to the dance fever on screen with their ability to entertain the viewers.
Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa II-Dancing with the Stars is produced by Synergy Adlabs Media Limited alongside BBC Worldwide who own the original format which has been a huge success across 30 countries like Britain, America, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, to name a few.
Commenting on the show, Albert Almeida, Executive Vice President and Business Head, Sony Entertainment Television, said "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa-Dancing with the Stars is a unique concept that pairs big celebrities not known for their dancing abilities with professional choreographers. This journey of commitment, passion and complete spirit is what kept viewers glued and rooting for their favorites in season 1. In our constant endeavor to provide innovative content Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa II- Dancing with the Stars promises to be bigger and better, thanks to the wide mix of top celebrities who are popular across various parts of the country and are committed to entertaining their fans in a surprisingly new way".
Said Siddhartha Basu, CMD, Synergy Adlabs Media, "The dazzle and drama of this dance show will step up to quite another level, adding to the charm of the original, with a longer run, newer dance styles, new-look sets, fresh hosts and a bigger cast of talented celebrities paired with a dynamic bunch of dancer-choreographers".
Adding to this Saul Nassé, General Manager and Creative Head, BBC Worldwide Productions India, said, "From India to Israel, China to Chile, Dancing with the Stars has become a global phenomenon. BBC Worldwide has now licensed the format to 30 countries around the world and after the huge success of the show here on SET last year, I'm excited to be bringing Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa -Dancing with the Stars back for a bigger and better second series".
Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa-Dancing with the Stars invites viewers to vote for their favourite dancing couple. The voting pattern will follow a 50:50 ratio for judges and audiences. One celebrity pair with the lowest scores will be eliminated each week. The voting lines will be open from the day of performance to the next morning every weekend-starting September 28th 9.00 p.m to next morning 8.00 p.m.
So get set to watch your favourite celebrities waltz, jive, hip hop and break free of all inhibitions to enjoy the dancing spirit!
Don't miss Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Dancing with the Stars Every Friday and Saturday at 9:00 p.m. Only on Sony Entertainment Television... Watch its Video on www.parilok.org
k that anything bigger than Jassi can happen on the small screen," she says, quickly adding, "I don't see myself playing a mother to someone who is double my age."Neither is she in a hurry to tie the knot with boyfriend Karan Oberoi. "Oh, there's still time for it," comes the standard reply For the time be . ing, she is busy doing reality shows. "I'm hosting and participating in lot of such programmes," she says.
Mona is hosting Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. She says, "I won the competition last year so I know how difficult it gets for those who participate. I can relate to them well." She will also feature in another reality show, Extreme Makeover, starting next month. Her big screen plans? Pat came the reply, "There's a film I'm doing but can't talk about it now." Well, we hope the wait will be worthwhile, Mona.
Yesteryear's Hindi cinema hero fondly called 'jumping jack', Jeetendra, is most probably the third judge of Sony's reality talent hunt contest Jhalak Dikhla Jaa. Jazz dance expert and chorepographer Shaimak Davar is also slated to sign his contract for the show. They will appear along with Bollywood actress Urmila Matondkar as the judges.
A channel spokesperson says, "Talks are on with them, but the contracts have still to be signed. Shiamak has a few earlier commitments on a few days and we're trying to adjust those. A formal announcement will be made soon." The last edition had Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Shilpa Shetty and Farah Khan as the judges.
The show, produced by Synergy, is an adaptation of the international hit TV series Strictly Dancing with the Stars. The twelve participants in the second season are Ronit Roy, Cyrus Broacha, Sonali Kulkarni, Prachi Desai (Bani), Mika, Mir Ranjan Negi, Sandhya Mridul, Sudha Chandran, Aadesh Srivastav, Mini Mathur, Jay Bhanushali and Tapur Chatterjee.
Meanwhile, Sony has been conducting roadshows this month in the cities/towns that the participants belong to. The last one, this week, was at Nagpur with Sonali Kulkarni, in which she is believed to have wowed the residents of the city with her dance moves. This week, it is in Ahmedabad with Prachi Desai. With announcements on local radio stations and tickers running through cable TV, these shows are packed with audiences who come to watch their favourite star perform and plead for votes. These roadshows will culminate with all the twelve contestants coming to Mumbai to announce the show on September 21st.
Last year's winner Mona Singh is hosting the show with Rohit Roy. The show will go on air on September 28th.
Rohit has no such inhibitions. ‘Of course,’ enthuses the younger brother. ‘ I would definitely be there cheering for him when I am not hosting’. The love and affection is evident in their voice as they speak of each other. ‘ Rohit is a very kind man, and a generous brother,’ reveals the usually reticent Ronit, the love in his voice unmistakable. ‘ I am sure he will be a terrific host.’ All the Ronit Roy fans hope so too. No matter who wins the competition, it sure is a win win situation for the Roy brothers fans out their who will now get more than a Jhalak of their favourite stars. 
Ronit Roy and Rohit Roy - the two names synonymous with success when it comes to television. Handsome, sexy and gorgeous, both have carved a niche and have a huge fan base. And they will now share the same platform. While the elder brother Ronit would be trying out his luck shaking his leg as a contestant, Rohit would hold centre stage with the mike as the host in the music reality show Jhalak Dhikla Ja. Would Rohit feel partial towards his brother while seeing him perform? ‘ I don’t think Rohit can be partial there,’ smiles Ronit. ‘ He will have to treat all the contestants the same way.’ 
‘ Of course it’s natural that I will feel a bit biased towards Ronit. Everyone is allowed to have a favourite, mine happens to be Ronit. He is a fabulous dancer, and even if he was not my brother, I would have supported him just because of his dancing,’ Rohit admits in his usual guileless manner. 
Will it be a family gathering of sorts? ‘ Yes, because I get so less time to spend with Rohit,’ affirms Ronit. ’It would be lovely to have some time together with him’.‘Ronit is more like a father to me, and I am really scared of him,’ confides the ever effervescent Roy junior, his words in direct contrast to the pride evident whenever he speaks of his dashing older brother. ‘I really hope he wins the competition. ‘
