Dheeraj Dhoopar: Karan Johar Sir showered the best compliment when he said I am the ‘SRK’ of television

COLORS is now set to bring back one of its most loved celebrity dance shows Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa after a hiatus of 5 years. The iconic show traces the dancing journeys of celebrities from different walks of life as they let their guards down and fire up the dance floor.

What prompted you to do a dance reality show?

Honestly, I have never been formally trained in dancing, but as an actor, a part of your craft is to be a good dancer. And there is no dance reality show bigger than Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, which has expert choreographers from whom you learn different dance forms every week and perform. Also, I have never done a reality show, so when JDJ, which has such big names in the jury, was offered to me I thought it is the best way to start my career in reality shows. My motive was that whenever my journey ends on the show, will emerge a better dancer, a better performer, a better actor.

How was your experience of shooting the first episode?

‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa’ is my first reality show and the first day of shooting experience was surreal, as you perform in front of such multi-talented panel of judges. Karan Johar sir showered the best compliment when he said I am the ‘SRK’ of television. My day was made, nothing could have been better than that one phrase.

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Can we say that you are challenging yourself through this dance reality show?

I am not saying that I cannot dance at all. I have given 14 years of my life to this industry, done many events, and travelled abroad for dance shows, but reality shows are very different. It’s not an event, you have to continuously rehearse for three-four months, practice every day for five-six hours, so you will definitely get better at dancing. Secondly, as an actor I should be able to dance well. If tomorrow a choreographer comes to me and says you have to dance like this on your show, I don’t want to say this is too difficult! Instead, I want to say if this is what you want, let’s do it.

What is your mindset as you enter the competition?

I am out of my comfort zone while doing a reality show, as I’ve never done one in the 14 years of my career. I am challenging myself on a daily basis. My other show Sherdil Shergill is going to be on air very soon, and I just became a father. So, these are three different journeys and all three of them require a lot of time and dedication. All these three things have come into my life at the same time, and I am grateful to God for that. Now, I have to manage my timing, my physicality, my strength and my energy so that I can give time to all three of them. I do get tired, it takes a toll on my health sometimes, but yes, I am here and I’m here to win. At the end of the day when I hold my kid, I forget everything, there’s no stress, no tiredness. I just want to be there and keep looking at him.

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Reality shows have been there for quite some time now. Was there any specific reason that you had stayed away from them?

I never found the time! Touchwood, by God’s grace I was always busy. I feel daily soap is very time-consuming — you are shooting for 12 hours a day and by the time you reach home you are tired. Then there are events you have to attend for which you end up travelling. So, it takes a lot of time. I feel, if I take up a project whether it’s a reality show or daily soap, I should give my 100%.  I never thought I’d be able to do it. I was a bit apprehensive, but I spoke to my wife — she is my biggest supporter — and she said you are doing it. I feel after this show I’ll be very comfortable in the reality zone. I am learning new things and getting the flavour of reality. Maybe, if I start liking it more then I’ll focus more on reality shows.