(L-R) Siddesh Pai, Prince Gupta, Dharmesh Yelande, Alisha Singh, Vrushali Chavan, Khushboo Purohit, Jai Nair, (foreground) Atul Banmoria and Avneet Kaur at the launch of Dance Ke Superstars

Mayuresh’s malkhamb, Prince’s popping and locking, Amrita’s classical moves — all these dance forms are back over the next five weeks. The twinkle-toed contestants of the first two seasons of Zee TV’s Dance India Dance will return for a face-off on Fridays and Saturdays at 9.30pm. Their aim is the crown of Dance Ke Superstars.

On one side is the Jalwa team, with eight dancers from Season I. On the other side is Josh, with eight dancers from Season II. The winner of neither season is there. Salman Khan (Season I) was ruled out because of a knee injury while Shakti Mohan (Season 2) opted out, as she’s busy with another dance show.

Judging the two teams will be Shiamak Davar and Remo D’Souza. “They will be joined by a third judge in every episode, who could be Geeta Kapoor, Marzi Pestonji or any other celebrity,” said Ashish Golwalkar, non-fiction head, Zee TV, during the launch of the show in Mumbai. Mithun Chakraborty, the resident Grandmaster of Zee TV’s dance contests, said he had opted out because of a clash of dates with the shooting schedule of the Bengali film Nobel Chor.

As the best of the country’s dancing talent lined up on stage for one grand reunion, Golwalkar pointed out that the format of the show would be different from DID. “They have all proved themselves to be superstars. So there is no question of individual eliminations. Each team will present a group dance as well as couple performances and solos. The points they accumulate will add up to decide the winning team at the end,” he explained.

Team captains (from left) Atul Banmoria, Ruturaj Mahalim, Avneet Kaur and Vaishnavi Patil with judge Marzi Pestonji. (Pictures by Sudeshna Banerjee)

The twist in the tale comes in the choice of the captains — the stars of L’il Champs — Atul and Avneet for Jalwa, and Vaishnavi and Ruturaj for Josh. And are the little ones kicked! Pint-sized Vaishnavi has already threatened Dharmesh: “Li’ Champs mein aap hum ko bahut nachaaye the (as her trainer), ab hum aapko nachaayenge.”

“Our captains have completed their annual exams ahead of schedule by special arrangement with their schools,” said Amrita Mitra, the show’s bubbly Calcutta connection, tousling Ruturaj’s hair.

As Marzi Pestonji got introduced to the Josh team over lunch, he took one look at Amrita and said: “She must be Amrita. Geetaji (Kapoor, her mentor in DID 2) has told me, ‘You can hear Amrita from a mile away’,” sending the dimpled girl into a giggling bout. But talk of the contest and the participants become serious. “Shuruaat hum ne ki thi, khatam bhi hum hi karenge,” says Mayuresh. “Baap hamesha baap hota hai, aur beta beta,” adds Jai.

Will Josh overpower Jalwa, or will Jalwa outshine Josh? The answer will be out in five weeks.