"Is hubby's dabba not ready in time? Chhotu's missed his school bus and needs a drop? The maid's not turned up ...? Who'll do the utensils? Oh no! Boss says the deadline is preponed to 1 PM ..." These are just a few of the realities a working woman in India must deal with day-on-day as she juggles work with her responsibilities at home.
Shakti Mohan, the first girl in all of India to become the highest voted finalist of Zee TV's Lux Dance India Dance for the second consecutive week pays a tribute to the struggle of Indian working women on the latest episode of the popular dance reality show.
Looking ravishing in a saree, Shakti re-creates the frantic frenzy that surrounds the life of a working woman through a creatively choreographed dance act to the song "Dauda Dauda Bhaga Bhaga Sa" from Chachi 420.
Master Remo D'souza is said to have been so impressed with the thoughtful concept and Shakti's flawless execution that he walked up to her, took off his prized Michael Jackson arm-band and gifted it to her.
Shakti's mentor, the exceptionally creative choreographer Terence Lewis who conceptualized this act said, "It's so easy to take the woman of your house for granted. Mom, towel please. Mom, tiffin. Mom, my shirt's torn. Stitch it, na!
The list of demands we thoughtlessly make of our mothers is endless. The Indian woman effortlessly tackles the demands of a high-pressure job and her family that looks to her for every solution. It's time we took a moment to thank her and remind her how much we love her. That's what this act is all about!"
Well said, Terence. You'll see a surge in your female fan following after this episode goes on air!
Meanwhile, akin to the last season, the contestants of Dance India Dance this season also get a chance to swap places with each other and get that one chance to learn choreography from a mentor other than the one designated to them. In view of that, an ecstatic Dharmesh 'Sir' gets an opportunity to train under his 'Bhagwan' Remo Sir.
Geeta Ma, on the other hand, gets to tutor her 'chhichora' Kunwar Amarjeet and Punit gets to perform a routine under the able tutelage of Terence Lewis.
For this unique episode themed 'Adla Badli', actor Ritesh Deshmukh was roped in as a special judge. On the sets of the show, Ritesh spoke of the good times he has spent working with Master Remo who'd choreographed several of his dance numbers, including the most popular 'Dil mein baji guitar...' from Apna Sapna Money Money.
Ritesh is said to have told the audience that he's been a big fan of Mithunda since childhood and their first meeting happened on Ritesh's 10th birthday.
Ritesh wanted Mithunda to attend his birthday party and had announced to his friends that superstar Mithun Chakraborty would be coming. But unfortunately Mithun da couldn't show up and Reitesh felt totally dejected and snubbed.
Around 11:30 pm, the very same day, Ritesh's dad woke him up and to his surprise, he found Mithun da standing in front of him. Mithun da gave him some money and asked him to buy whatever he pleased. Ritesh bought his first bicycle with that money and on the coveted stage of Lux Dance India Dance said, "Mere do pairon se do paiyyon ka safar mithunda ne poora kiya".
On the other hand, as Zee TV's Lux Dance India Dance inches closer to its grand finalé, the stakes just keep getting higher and every contestant wants to put his best foot forward in a bid for the much-coveted sunehri taqdeer ki topi.
In times such as these, there's little room for considerations such as a bad tummy or a running fever! If there's a dance act to be performed on national television, it has to be rehearsed and perfected and performed flawlessly.
And Binny Sharma from Master Geeta Kapoor's team who's been delighting the audience with one outstanding performance after another had to brave sickness while rehearsing and performing her most recent act on the show.
At the shoot of the episode, Binny looked pale and tired, unlike her usual chirpy self. Right after her performance to the marathi song 'Hoshiyaar' from the film Saawarkhed Ek Gaon, an intricate Malkhamb rope act requiring strength and dexterity, Binny kept panting heavily and people had to rush to her with orange juice.
On being asked by Mithun Da, "Kya hua?", the girl revealed that she'd been unwell, had collapsed twice during the rehearsals and was feeling rather weak. As is the format of the show, the 3 masters were asked to opine about the performance.
Master Remo D'souza said, "This performance was definitely not up to the mark. At the end of the day, Lux Dance India Dance is a competition and on this platform, we do not entertain excuses for poor performances."
Taken aback by Master Remo's seemingly harsh judgment, Master Geeta jumped to the defence of her protégé saying, "But Binny's not making any excuses. She's been going through a tough time physically and she spoke about her condition only on being asked."
Geeta's eyes teared up as she described the stress she'd put an unwell Binny through just to rehearse for this act. She proudly announced, "I think Binny was just fabulous today. It was a fantastic performance and Binny, you're the best!"
Looks like the competition on Dance India Dance has just turned hotter with none of the masters willing to spare any of the other master's team members on grounds of poor health. After all, the show must go on!