Urmila Matondkar replaces Mallika Sherawat as the judge of Chak Dhoom Dhoom, a dance reality show on Colors. A t2 chat with the Rangeela girl…

Why the decision to be part of Chak Dhoom Dhoom?

The obvious reason is that it is a dance show and dance has always been an inseparable part of my life. Dance is close to my heart and I am at my best when I am dancing. The second reason why I took up Chak Dhoom Dhoom is because it is a one-of-a-kind dance show. Here the format is that of a group dance, something that Bollywood has been doing forever. I like the fact that the show is not about individual glory but about team spirit. That’s what takes it to a different level and that’s what really worked for me when I had to take a decision.

Did you have any qualms replacing a much-junior Mallika Sherawat?

I honestly don’t look at it as a replacement. Things did not work out between the channel and Mallika and I am not the right person to comment on it. They approached me as an actor and as a dancer and they thought I would be able to do justice to the show. And here I am.

You judged Season 2 of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and now you are on Chak Dhoom Dhoom. How would you compare the two formats?

Oh, they are totally different. Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa is about celebrities who can hardly dance, most of them don’t know their right foot from their left (laughs). On the show, they would be given tough dance forms to do and it was quite a pain to sit through some of the performances! On Chak Dhoom Dhoom, we have serious dancers who know the craft well and want to make a career out of their passion. I am hoping to see a lot of new dance forms on CDD.

Jaaved Jaaferi and choreographer Terence Lewis are your co-judges…

Jaaved and I go back a long way. I think he’s been dancing forever! I keep telling him that I have seen him around forever and ever and ever (laughs). Terence is a very talented choreographer. I remember we were doing an international show once and Terence made me work so hard! Jazz to ballet to rock and roll to salsa and then Bolly, he made me present five different types of dance in a single evening! But I always count it as one of my best performances; it was really an extraordinary act.

What do you think about the kind of dancing in Bollywood films today?

The technicalities have vastly improved. Look at the clothes, the sets and the dance steps. I think some dances are choreographed and executed very well, while some are just about average. Our movies have changed and in that way dance has also changed. Now you don’t really have great dancers like Sridevi or Madhuri. But I think everyone is putting in their best and they are doing fine.

Anyone from the current crop that you think is a good dancer?

Ranbir Kapoor for sure. I think he is a very effortless dancer. I don’t think he has done any Indian dancing yet, but I was completely blown when I saw him dance in Bachna Ae Haseeno. Among the girls, I can’t really point out anyone. They are all quite good.

Who have been your dance idols?

My favourite dancer would have to be Vyjayanthimalaji. She was so graceful and her eyes spoke a thousand words. I loved Rekhaji for her adayein. Then of course my eternal favourites have been Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit.

Why aren’t you doing any films?

Well, I am sitting and waiting and chilling and hoping for something good to come my way. I keep getting offers from people who think that their scripts are brilliant, but you just have to read them to know how bad they are (laughs)! I have always been known to be someone who has pushed the boundaries and done different kinds of movies. I can’t let that standard dip by taking on just about anything and everything that comes my way. If that means never doing a film again, then I am fine with that. I can’t stick around for the sake of sticking around. I am happy in the space I am in now.