What makes Bollywood singers, choreographers love TV

NEW DELHI - Noticed the surfeit of Bollywood singers and choreographers on TV? Not only are music and dance reality shows giving them a good source of income but many say the recognition they get from the small screen is a big add-on.

Singers like Shaan and Sonu Nigam ruled the small screen for years with the music show “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa”.

Singer Richa Sharma, who has been a contestant on NDTV Imagine’s singing reality show “Dhoom Macha De” and also appeared on “Jo Jeeta Wohi Super Star” as a guest judge, says judging reality shows has become an additional source of income.

“Definitely, the small screen plays a very important role and a stable source of income. It adds on to the bank balance,” Richa told IANS.

She insists that industry people take up these shows to kill time.

“I think they take up a show to kill their time. When they have free months, they think of opting for such shows and make money,” she said.

On the other hand, choreographers Bosco-Caesar who judged Color’s dance reality show “Chak Dhoom Dhoom” think that apart from money, it brings recognition.

“People may put it the way they want to, but I think we work hard behind the (big screen) cameras and our identity gets buried,” Bosco said.

“The TV format has given raw talent a chance to showcase their abilities and also provide a stage for professional people like us to make a mark in the glam world,” he added.

Many new talents like Geeta Kapoor, Remo D’Souza, Terrence Lewis, Rajeev Surti and Pony Verma who were not known earlier have now become household names.

“We work hard with the big names. They know us, but still somehow the world doesn’t recognise us by name or face. But now people know us and that is what is more important,” Bosco said.

Big time singers like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Daler Mehndi, Sajid-Wajid, Vishal-Shekhar, Abhijeet, Alka Yagnik, Udit Narayan, Anu Malik, Sundhi Chauhan, Ila Arun, Shaan and Shankar Mahadevan have been quite consistent with appearances on the small screen.

Internationally-renowned choreographer Sandeep Soparrkar said money is not the driving factor.

“I don’t think gaining moolah is a concern for any of the singers and choreographers. We are all established in our fields and people know us across the globe,” Soparrkar said.

However, he feels justifying the seat is the prime responsibility.

“The time constraint and the format are what grabs our attention and pushes us to take up a project. One needs to have the right amount of time to do justice to the seat,” Soparrkar said.

Richa agreed: “People who take up a seat should justify their position. They shouldn’t sit as statues and give diplomatic comments.”

Choreographers like Saroj Khan, who has judged quite a few shows like “Nach Baliye”, “Jhalak Dikhla Jaa-3″, and Bosco-Cesar, Ahmed Khan and Pony Verma in “Chak Dhoom Dhoom” have made their presence felt.

The trio of Remo D’Souza, Terrence Lewis and Geeta Kapoor was seen in Zee TV’s “Dance India Dance”. Others like Farah Khan, Marzi Pestongi, Rajeev Surti and Vaibhavi Merchant have also come up on television shows.

“A revenue add-on can be considered for those who come up again and again with seasons of the show. Getting paid for your work is not wrong, I guess, and by bringing new faces and talent, we give so much to the world,” Soparrkar said.

Bollywood actresses like Karisma Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Malaika Arora Khan, Shilpa Shetty, Juhi Chawla, Sonali Bendre and Kiron Kher, among others, have contributed to the trend.

(Manpreet Kaur can be contacted at manpreet.k@ians.in)