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Have feet, Will dance

SHELEJA KAPOOR listens to Sachin and Supriya Pilgoankar talking about winning a whopping Rs. 50 lakh prize money on the Star One show "Nach Baliye".

THE CHAMPIONS Sachin and Supriya Pilgaonkar with the choreographer duo Al & Mel

Being a part of a reality show doesn't afford one much privacy, but if you're aiming to win over the nation and a big booty, you don't really mind. This is exactly what Sachin and Supriya Pilgaonkar figured when they were chosen as the "Champion Jodi' of the Star One dance-based reality show Nach Baliye last week. For ten weeks, their life comprised of song and dance, as they competed against nine celebrity couples and literally put their best foot forward. Whether it was jiving to raucous dance numbers or evergreen duets, the couple with their consistent performances, were hot favourites since the very start. Clearly, Supriya was the surprise package of the show as the energy and chemistry shared by the two on the floor left not only the judges but also the audience amazed. Making a comeback of sorts on television, the couple last seen together in a Marathi film over a decade ago, have walked home with not just the title but also a prize money worth Rs.50 lakhs.

Rigorous practice

It wasn't just fun and no work though, as taking part in the show was a serious commitment. All 20 contestants had to undergo six weeks of rigorous dance practice prior to the show along with the choreographers. "Just like everyone else, I also actually dreamt about the contest at night," reveals Supriya at a video conference even as she expresses her dislike for the nagging requisition for comments on other performers during the show. Very often we were expected to add insult to injury when someone was voted out, she says, blaming it on the nature of reality TV. Sachin, however, prefers to give credit for the win to their choreographer duo of Al & Mel who also received Rs.20 lakhs for their choreography. With their 16-year-old daughter acting as cheerleader and taskmaster, Sachin says, there was rarely time for anything other than the dance practice even when he went back home. Despite the nature of the competition, where one couple was voted out every week, the contestants managed to build a bond that reflected camaraderie on screen. The winning couple who recently celebrated their 21st marriage anniversary, did seem to be everyone's preferred choice.

So what made them want to put all else on hold and be a part of the two month long dance competition? "The challenge and that it was for a good cause," comes the emphatic reply from the couple that have helped raise money for Help Age India through the show. Even with part of the money generated through the viewers votes being donated to the winning charity, the duo still have no plans in place for their booty.

The completion of yet another reality show has this time round proved that age is truly no bar to success and can never match up with the will to dance!

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