Harshad Chopda. Picture by Aranya Sen

The hunt for his baliye brought television heartthrob Harshad Chopda to Calcutta last Friday. Not the quest for a real-life baliye (“I’m still very much single,” he grins ruefully), but a pair of dancing feet to match steps with him on the Nach Baliye stage. In yet another twist to the celebrity dance show, Harshad and his gleaned-from-the-audience dance partner will be the latest contenders for the Nach Baliye crown. t2 caught up with the engineer-turned- actor hours before the City Centre auditions…

Why be a part of Nach Baliye?

It’s a popular show and definitely a very classy one because it invites participation from the best names in the television business. Since I am single, I couldn’t participate in the main format of the show. However, Talaashe-baliye has given me the opportunity to realise my dream of being a Nach Baliye participant.

Does dance come naturally to you?

Since childhood, dance has been something that I haven’t been good at and I have always nurtured the hope that one day I would be able to master the art. I have attended a lot of classes, I have observed many dancers and today I can say that I at least have a sense of rhythm and can move my body to the music!

What are you looking for in your Nach Baliye partner?

It will be a combination of factors like dance skills, stage presence and confidence. But to be honest, I really can’t decide on the criteria sitting here. I will only know when the judging process starts.

With the show on air for more than a month, do you think you coming into Nach Baliye now is unfair to the other jodis?

I won’t really be a threat to them because my partner and I won’t be judged on the same parameters as them. And honestly, I am sure they knew about this twist in the show when they signed up for it. If they were fine with it then, I don’t see any reason for them to raise any objections now.

Any favourites on the show so far?

Well there are a few but I wouldn’t like to name anyone because it wouldn’t be fair to the others.

You are doing a number of fiction serials as well as trying your hand at reality shows. How do you manage to strike a balance?

Since television is the only life I have, I manage to find time for everything that it offers, be it serials or reality shows. It is true that we often work 24 hours a day, but things are far easier for me now because my character in Kis Des Mein Hai Meraa Dil has been ‘killed’ and now I am just concentrating on Nach Baliye.

Any secrets to handling the sizeable female fan following that you have?

Where is the female fan following? I can’t see even one! I dream of a day when I will step out of my car and get mobbed by lots and lots of girls. But that hasn’t happened yet (laughs).

And finally, if you could choose any Bollywood actress as your baliye, who would it be?

Oh wow! But honestly, I don’t think it’s my choice at all. They will have to be okay with it! Maybe I’d go with Katrina Kaif. But wouldn’t she be taller than me?