Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10 Review: Weekly dose of sparkle and showmanship

Nia Sharma, Rubina Dilaik, Gashmeer Mahajani, Ali Asgar

Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10
Cast: Nia Sharma, Rubina Dilaik, Gashmeer Mahajani, Ali Asgar, Gunjan Sinha, Faisal Shaikh, Amruta Khanvilkar, Niti Taylor
Rating: '''

It took five years for Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa to return with its 10th season, and it took me almost the fifth episode to warm up to the new set of contestants. The Indian adaptation of BBC's Dancing With The Stars and Strictly Come Dancing comes with new and old faces from the television industry, with a chef and a sports personality thrown in. What do you get when you have a motley pack of the ambitious and others who simply enjoy dancing? An entertaining ride where everyone tries to put their best foot forward.

Of the contestants, Nia Sharma is evidently in it to win it. She comes with fiery energy and determination that reflect in all her acts. Amruta Khanvilkar, who has picked up dancing by observing others since childhood, is experimenting with several dance forms with choreographer Pratik Utekar. However, a performance that will make you sit up and take notice is yet to happen. Gashmeer Mahajani came with two promises - a lot of Desi Boys moments and effortless dancing. One cannot deny that he is a sight for sore eyes and will have the female population voting for him. Tiny tots Gunjan Sinha - who was a Dance Deewane season 3 finalist - and Tejas Verma, a Super Dancer 3 finalist, mesmerise with their acts every week. Dancing is in their DNA. To give stiff competition to adults thrice their age is no small feat. TikTok star Faisal Shaikh is a non-dancer, but one can see his unbridled desire to prove his worth with every act. Former Bigg Boss winner Rubina Dilaik, Paras Kalnawat, and Kaisi Yeh Yaariyaan fame Niti Taylor will take their time to shine on this stage.

Also Read: Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa: Dheeraj carries on with his performance despite injury

That brings us to the non-dancers. The stage does seem unfair to the few participants - including Shilpa Shinde and chef Zorawar Kalra - who are compelled to move their two left feet and give Twinkletoes a run for their money. What's commendable though is that they have no delusions about their prospects in the competition, only too happy to enjoy every moment of this dream ride. Ali Asgar, who is popular as Daadi, seems like a last-ditch effort by the makers to up the show's comic element. While judges Madhuri Dixit-Nene and Karan Johar have compared Dheeraj Dhoopar to Shah Rukh Khan and Ranveer Singh, it is a long road for the actor to match up to them.

What stands out this year is the show's production value. The glittering set is high on opulence, a perfect alter-personality to Johar. The VFX and set-pieces of each act are designed to impress, particularly the mermaid VFX employed in Dilaik's act, and the visual treat that was Shinde's cabaret piece. From a flashy Jhalak passport to the golden throne, the makers have introduced new, and may we add unnecessary, elements. The panel - Johar, Dixit, and Nora Fatehi - are strict with marks, but not with words, constantly reiterating that the scores are in comparison with every individual's previous performance and not with their rivals'. That sounds like a desperate effort to placate the non-dancers.

Indian television offerings aren't complete without their heavy-handed dose of drama. So we're told about Dhoopar's lack of time with his firstborn, and Dilaik's turbulent marriage. How that affects the TRPs is anybody's guess. But does Jhalak… really need it? Hell no for a show that has given some promising acts in its three-week run so far. Now, I'm tuning in to the next episode, I suggest you do the same.

Also Read: Olympian athlete Dutee Chand to participate in 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa'

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