Ratings: Poor Average Good Very Good Excellent

Jacqueline looks hot, but as a judge is found wanting!

Karan Johar and Manish Paul’s chemistry proves to be the highlight of the show

Chaya Unnikrishnan

The dance reality show is back with a fresh set of celebrity con-testants and one new judge — Jacqueline Fernandez, who has

replaced Shahid Kapoor. While, Karan Johar who has been judging Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa since the past four seasons is back — this time he will not leave the show mid-way like he did last time. Cho-reographer Ganesh Hegde returns as judge though there is talk that he will be missing for some of the later episodes and Farah Khan will take his place. And, last but not the least Manish Paul contin-ues to be the host this season too and if one goes by reports, with a hefty pay packet (`7 lakhs per episode) too!

What’s it about: Every celebrity con-testant is paired with a choreographer and will perform different dance forms. Based on the marks given by the judges and the votes of the audience, the con-testants are eliminated. This time they have introduced studio audience who will be voting, and 50 per cent of the marks will be given by them. Many con-testants are from TV like Shakti Arora, Karishma Tanna, Helly Shah, etc there’s celebrity chef Harpal Singh Sokhi, inter-net sensation Poonam and Priyanka known for their fusion Bharatnatyam, Gaurav Gera in his popular Chutki ava-tar and Salman Yusuff Khan, who was a choreographer on Jhalak earlier has now entered as a contestant.

What’s hot: Jacqueline brings a youth-ful vibe and shows enthusiasm to shake a leg with the contestants. After Madhuri Dixit-Nene, Manish has found a new woman to flirt with and he makes the most of it. Helly aka Swara of Swaragini seems to be popular with the crowd. Sweet and energetic, she is bubbling with enthusiasm and is like a kid who has got a candy. Her excitement of dancing in front of her idol Jacqueline, and the likes of Karan, is endearing. You couldn’t take your eyes off Poonam and Priyanka, who combined Bharatnatyam with hip hop. Chutki, while impressing with her jhat-kas, is also being her saucy self hitting on Salman. Harpal mistaking Surveen Chawla as Juhi Chawla’s sister and then doing the bhangra with rigour was en-tertaining. But the highlight of the epi-sode was none other than Karan, who showed some killer moves while dancing to Mera Naam Mary Hai from Brothers. Manish gave him company and the two were a riot. Wish they had showed him dancing some more!

What’s not: The competition is imbal-anced as dancers and non dancers have been put on the same platform. In fact Salman is a veteran on the show. Also, Gaurav dancing as Chutki can become a drag after a while just like it happened with Kiku Sharda’s Palak act on the show. Also, though Jaqueline seems ex-cited to be on the panel, one wonders if she is worthy of taking Madhuri or even Shahid Kapoor’s place as both are bril-

liant dancers. Jackie is not exactly known for her dance moves except her one split act in Kick. Her heavily accent-ed and grammatically incorrect Hindi can be jarring after a while.

What to do: While dance is the backbone of the show, we have always found it more entertaining for the witty and fun-ny banter between Karan and Manish, which remains intact. If you are the kind who likes watching celebrities shaking a leg, tune in, but if you are looking for pure dance, this is not the show for you.

JJJ

Showreview

Jhalak Dikhhla

Jaa 9Colors

SAturdAy– 10 Pm

(One star out of the two-and-a-half is for manish and Karan).

Jacqueline Fernandez and Ganesh Hegde shake a leg Contestants get grooving

Karan Johar and manish Paul dance to mera Naam mary Hai