Alisha Singh (extreme left) on the sets of Dil Dosti Dance

She has a million dollar smile while he’s a crorepati five times over. Together, Ranchi choreographer Alisha Singh and Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 5 jackpot winner Sushil Kumar are setting television sets on fire at a dance reality show before celebrity judges Madhuri Dixit, Karan Johar and Remo D’ Souza.

Being a part of Jhalak Dikhla Jaa Season 5 aired on Colors is a huge break for Harmu girl Alisha and she knows it. Performing in front of a diva like Dixit, whose dhak-dhak still causes many hearts to skip a beat and whose kathak in Devdas is talked about as one of the finest classical performances in Bollywood’s history, is a tough call in itself.

But Alisha said she and Sushil would like to showcase some sterling performances in Bollywood and Indian contemporary dance forms on the popular TV show that started its fifth season on June 16. According to the show’s format, a choreographer coaches a celebrity — who may or may not have two left feet — to dance, and are jointly judged.

Since this reality show started on June 16, the duo have scored eight points but are aiming for the perfect 10.

“Maybe next time. Our next week’s show is based on the theme ‘best foot forward using free style Bollywood dance form’. After wild card entries (read new contestants in the middle of the contest), competition is more tough. We have to do our best to impress judges,” Alisha, a Marwari Girls’ High School and Ranchi Women’s College alumnus, said.

She added that she would try enacting a scene from the romcom Tanu Weds Manu. “I and Sushilji will go through some Bollywood free style dance moves to try to show the marriage ceremony.”

Sushil, who hails from Motihari in Bihar and has rural background, is a quick learner, says his mentor.

“I have never faced any problem while practising with Sushilji. He is not used to dancing, but he picks up freestyle, hip hop and salsa quickly. He is energetic and gives good expressions,” Alisha, who has choreographed Dil Dosti Dance on Channel [V] said.

On an average, the duo practise for almost four to five hours depending on themes. They are on tenterhooks as their most recent performance had suffered. “Midway, Sushilji forgot his steps. It happens due to tension. But for next week, we are trying our level best to excel and do not wish to lose any points to avoid elimination from the show,” she said, adding she would visit her hometown Ranchi by September-end, once the show ends.

And what does KBC celebrity Sushil have to say about his teacher? “I am not accustomed to dancing. I make mistakes. But Alisha has lots of patience and tries to make the steps easy,” he said.