Bhaichung with choreographer Sonia Jaffer

How do you feel being the last man standing at the end of three months of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa?

It feels good. Really, really good (laughs). Winning Jhalak has definitely given me a high, but I am happier and relieved thinking that ‘Thank God, I don’t have to dance anymore!’ The amount I have danced in these three months is enough to last a lifetime.

But you seemed to be very comfortable dancing on the show…

Oh, that was because of my choreographer Sonia (Jaffer). The entire credit for my win goes to her. She knew what steps to choose, what songs to select, what costumes to wear, how to make a complete non-dancer like me not only dance week after week in front of the entire nation but also win the show. Sonia is the only reason why I am holding the winner’s trophy today.

When t2 last spoke to you in the initial stages of the show, you were in two minds whether you had made the right decision. Now that you have won, do you think it was the right move after all?

I don’t think I ever regretted being part of the show or anything. My initial and predominant reason to be part of the show was solely for the experience. I had never done a reality show before, neither had I ever danced in public earlier. I just wanted to have fun on the show and discover a different aspect of my personality. Now that I have won, that is of course a bonus and I am loving every moment of it.

How much did your footwork as a footballer help in mastering the dance steps?

I am not really sure whether my expertise with the ball helped in dancing better on stage, but it definitely helped me score in terms of fitness. Unlike the other participants, I was rushing from matches to football practice to the rehearsals and I had very little time for Jhalak. That is where my fitness and discipline really helped me a lot.

Has the triumph come at a cost — you were after all served a showcause notice by Mohun Bagan for missing a match on account of Jhalak...

I would like to clearly state that Jhalak happened during the football off-season and the match that I missed was a friendly match. The issue has been blown out of proportion and I would not really like to comment on it further. But yes, I feel great that all my hard work has paid off and I have won Jhalak. However, in no way, have I ever though of using this win as a way to silence my critics. I have enjoyed being a part of the experience and I know that I haven’t done anything wrong by being on the show.

What is the one thing that worked in your favour?

The fact that we were the underdogs. Everyone loves the underdog. Also, I had a huge advantage in terms of my choreographer. We gelled very well. She knew exactly what to do with me.

Second runner-up Karan Singh Grover has alleged that in spite of him being the most popular on the show, the judges favoured you..

I really don’t know why Karan has been saying all these things. It’s true that he is a very popular TV star and that Jhalak is predominantly watched by those who watch a lot of TV. But I also have a loyal fan base and the audience must have seen my hard work and dedication to consider me worthy enough to win the show. For a footballer to become so popular and win a dance show on television is amazing.

What has your family and friends’s reaction to your win been?

My family has been very very supportive. My wife Madhuri has been my pillar of strength through the show. As far as my friends are concerned, everyone is very shocked (laughs)! That’s because no one has really seen me dancing before. Even when I go to nightclubs in Calcutta, I stand in a corner and watch people dance.

Is Jhalak a one-off experience or will we get to see more of Bhaichung Bhutia on television?

Noooooo! This is the end of my dancing. No way am I going to make this my career. I may have to go back to Jhalak when the next winner is crowned next year, but that’s about it. No TV shows, no dance shows, no stage shows, no dancing at shaadis or corporate dos. No one should even think of approaching me for anything like this again (laughs)!

Have you decided what to do with the Rs 40 lakh prize money?

I have always maintained that 50 per cent of the prize money will go to Sonia because it is actually her win. Out of my 50 per cent share, I will donate a significant amount to various charitable organisations. In fact, I am going to Writers’ Building today to donate Rs 1.5 lakh to the chief minister’s relief fund for the Aila victims.

You told us three months ago that your favourite Bollywood dancer was Shahid Kapur. Has that changed post Jhalak?

After watching Prabhudeva on the show, I really don’t think anyone can come close. Just to match steps with him was an experience of a lifetime. I will cherish that moment forever.

Sportsmen & reality shows

Ajay Jadeja: Participated in season one of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. In spite of his easy style and commanding stage presence, he was eliminated in the initial stages.

Mir Ranjan Negi: Not many had heard of the former hockey goal-keeper before Shah Rukh Khan’s Chak De! India, based on his life, became a hit. The ever-sporting Negi was a part of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 2 and impressed everyone with his footwork.

Vinod Kambli: He has done it all — from a dance show (Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena) to stand-up comedy (Comedy Circus). He is also rumoured to be the first participant on the soon-to-be launched Sach Ka Saamna, the desi version of The Moment of Truth.

Mohinder Amarnath: The hero of India’s 1983 World Cup win was a part of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 3 and one of its most popular participants.

Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena: Pakistani great Wasim Akram judged this reality dance show that starred cricketers — from Dinesh Karthik to Nikhil Chopra. Eventually, Harbhajan Singh and partner Mona Singh pipped Sreesanth and partner Surveen Chawla to the title.