Jaspal and Savita Bhatti in Nach Baliye 4

As Jodi no. 9, Jaspal Bhatti and wife Savita are dancing up a storm on Nach Baliye 4, t2 caught up with the Bhattis. (P.S. Contrary to expectations, Savita was the more voluble of the two, with Jaspal content to play second fiddle…)

What was your reaction when you were approached for Nach Baliye 4?

Savita Bhatti: The same that we have even now — that of surprise and disbelief. We were really shocked when we were told that Nach Baliye was looking at us as participants in its fourth season. Humne kabhi dance kiya hi nahi, hum to comedy waale hain.

However, when the initial shock wore off we felt happy, felt honoured that we had been approached for the show. It took us some time to convince ourselves that we had it in us to go on a national platform like Nach Baliye and not make a fool of ourselves.

Jaspal Bhatti: Maine toh pehle naa bol hi diya tha kyunki mujhe pata tha ki mere ghutne saath nahi denge, par Savitaji convinced me. And then I was chalo, dekh le te hain.

How does the oldest jodi on the show feel with the other younger participants around?

Savita Bhatti: That’s what we feel…old (laughs). But seriously, the love and respect that we both got on Nach Baliye were completely unexpected. The other jodis as well as the judges — Karisma Kapoor, Arjun Rampal and Farah Khan — have all been wonderful to us. We feel happy and encouraged. In retrospect, we are glad that we decided to be a part of the show.

The Bhattis are one of the most popular Nach Baliye jodis. Like the others, are you working on a strategy every week?

Savita Bhatti: Dekhiye, we don’t have age on our side. We know that we can’t match up to the younger lot in terms of stamina and energy. Neither can we have complex dance steps in our act because Jaspalji is a ‘non-dancer’.

We don’t have a strategy as such because we are not looking at Nach Baliye as a competition that we have to win. We don’t indulge in gossip, backbiting or pulling down any of the jodis. We are just here to have a good time, to have fun and to entertain the audience. But that doesn’t mean that we don’t pay attention to our acts. Hum bahut mehnat karte hain.

Jaspal Bhatti: Main do din pehle Chandigarh gaya tha lekin wahaan se ek hi raat mein bhaag ke aagaya kyunki mujhe rehearsal karna hai. I am very serious about Nach Baliye (laughs).

How have friends and family reacted to Jaspal and Savita Bhatti shaking a leg on Nach Baliye?

Savita Bhatti: I think everyone was pretty shocked at first because the two of us have never shown any inclination for dance. But then every single person we know has been extremely encouraging. It’s always been, “ Go for it Bhattis!” and that I guess is one of the main reasons why we are in the show in the first place. Even complete strangers come up to us on the road and tell us how much they like us on the show. It’s an overwhelming feeling.

How easy or difficult are the dance performances for the Bhattis?

Savita Bhatti: Oh, very very tough believe us! I still have a sense of rhythm, courtesy a lot of shaadis and family functions, but Jaspalji is a terrible dancer. Nach Baliye ke pehle unhonein zindagi mein kabhi ek paer bhi nahi uthaye hain (laughs). In fact, he was ecstatic when we danced to Pappu can’t dance saala for one performance because his pet name is Pappu and he surely can’t dance! But he is a good learner and he is a very dedicated student when it comes to the rehearsals. We are constantly thinking of Nach Baliye nowadays. So much so that even when we go out — to a mall or just to eat out we keep discussing our steps!

Jaspal Bhatti: Dance ke naam se main kaapne lagta hoon. Jo doosre aadhe ghante ke rehearsal mein kar lete hain, I take a minimum of two hours.

It’s early days yet, but what has been your most memorable moment on the show so far?

Savita Bhatti: The first episode when we got a standing ovation from the audience and the famous three claps from Karisma Kapoor. We never expected that everyone would react to us so favourably. We did the Singh Is Kinng act and loved it because we were not doing anything that wasn’t us — we are Singhs who are kings. After that we have done a Victorian act and in the last performance, I was dressed like a chudail, but nothing compares to the first day’s performance. The fact that our daughter Radhiya was present in the audience made that particular performance even more special.

Which is tougher — comedy or dance?

Savita Bhatti: We would like to say that comedy is much tougher, but we don’t want dancers to take offence. Dance is definitely tough, but one can learn the steps. However, comedy is not for everyone. You need to have it in you to make people laugh. It’s something that definitely can’t be learnt or passed on from one person to another.

Jaspal Bhatti: With me as partner, dance is definitely tougher than comedy! But main apne dance mein bhi comedy daal deta hoon.

Will the Bhattis ever return with a Flop Show or an Ulta Pulta?

Savita Bhatti: Why not? Whether it is television, print, stage performances or the Nonsense Club in Chandigarh, the sole aim of the Bhattis has always been to make people laugh and that is what we plan to do for the rest of our lives. We are toying with the idea of a comedy show and there are a couple of films in the pipeline too. The Bhattis are here to stay.

Priyanka Roy

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