Whenever I am asked to pay a visit to any of the Arab countries, one thing that comes to my mind is the myriad restrictions on women with regard to clothing, and a very different lifestyle from Europe, America and even India.
I was excited when I was recently invited to judge Jhalak Dikhla Jaa UAE, Season 2, along with the legendary Saroj Khan. I was thinking of the belly dancers, food, the latest clothes, and attractive people there. I agreed to judge the show, but was hesitant as to how a dance show like Jhalak, which is mainly meant to popularise international dance forms, would gain acceptance in a nation like the UAE, with all its restrictions. With these thoughts in mind, I waited to reach Dubai, where the show was being shot.
I met Sarojji at the Mumbai airport, and on our way to Dubai, we both began a conversation about the show that we were going to judge. After speaking to her, I realised that she too had the same reservations as me, though both of us looked forward to being a part of the show. As we landed, the organiser, Mr John, and his gorgeous daughter Eisha, came to pick us up. I asked: Will the people be really willing to dance in UAE like their counterparts in India? Will I see good talent? Forget the dance, what about the clothes? Will I see women contestants in burqas and hijabs? I had so many questions just like a schoolboy. The response that I got was, “Wait and watch!” Now that got me even more curious about the show.
With almost 3,000 people on the set as guests, the shoot for the show was bigger than any Bollywood movie shoots with the best of camera, set, location. Wow! Sarojji and I took our seats as judges with a huge crowd cheering for us. It made my curious self even more curious. My heart was racing to see the contestants. I wanted to scream “Cannot wait. Please begin the show.”
The shoot began with the host for the show, Malavika, who is a well-known RJ in Dubai. I was speechless after every dance. The dancers were amazing, with superb body language, style, attitude, expressions, and strikingly good looks. The biggest amazement was one contestant who danced a classical Indian dance form — Bharat-natyam — and astonished Sarojji and me completely. One could never imagine that experts in our own dance forms could be seen in a foreign land like UAE.
When the show wrapped up and I was on my way back to India, I could not but think as to how many countries and their people are misunderstood? We just form a picture in our minds without knowing the culture of the country and its people. UAE might have a different lifestyle, but its people are the same, their hearts and souls are the same, and more importantly, their passion for dance and the determination to prove their abilities on a dance reality show are the same. My trip to Dubai opened my eyes, and I decided never to judge the place or its people with what I hear from others. It is best to experience it by myself and then decide what and how I feel about them.
I would surely like to compliment the dancers of UAE on their passion for dance that I witnessed. It took my breath away. I have never seen such amazing people dance so beautifully. The combination of superb dancing with magnificent looks can only be seen in UAE. I feel proud and humbled to have judged a show like this. I thank Colors channel, the production house, and organisers, for having me in Dubai and giving me an opportunity to experience fabulous dancing, and a show that I will never forget.