Star cannot afford Raj : Shilpa Shetty

The svelte Shilpa Shetty has been on a roll even since she sniffed into her handkerchief on Bigg Brother, raked in big moolah, launched perfumes and eateries, judged Jhalak Dikhlaa Jaa, hosted Bigg Boss, got herself a big rock (ok, ok got herself gifted a big rock), married moneybags Raj Kundra, bought a stake in a cricket team and is now back to judging yet another dance show -- Zara Nachke Dikha along with Arshad Warsi and choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant. TellyChakkar spoke to the sizzling as ever Shetty on ZND, her return to television post Bigg Boss and her hat-trick on television: What is the difference between the first and the second seasons of Zara Nachke Dikha? The major difference is that the show has moved on to Star Plus from Star One which is like bringing the season back on a grander scale. We are also talking bigger viewership and some amazingly talented contestants. There is a rise in the quality of the product and the production values. The entire packaging is marvellous. How different is Zara Nachke Dikha going to be from other dance reality shows? The USP of ZND is its celebrity participants and the unique format, a battle of the sexes, which will be great fun to watch. We will be presenting various forms of dance and it would be more theatrical and cinematic. What are the basic criteria you will keep in mind as a judge? Style and presentation are extremely important. I have always vouched for the originality and innovation in a dancer. You are made to learn the same steps at times but what takes you to the top is how differently and superbly you execute them. Trust me it’s going to be difficult to judge them. Women are usually more graceful, more flexible than men. So do you feel that’s a win-win situation for the girls? I agree. The grace a woman has, men will really find it difficult to match up. But then one can’t jump the gun. Let’s wait and watch for the surprises in store for all of us. As judges, we will have to forget the gender we belong to and be fair and just to all of them irrespective of the gender they represent. You are known to be a fabulous dancer. Do you develop cold feet at the idea of performing any particular form? Oh God! I am not really good at Odissi, locking and popping. I am so glad that it has come in just now. But when push comes to a shove, I will try doing it. I really like the way the youth performs all these dance forms. I find it so cool. Who has been your favourite dancer from Bollywood? Rishi Kapoor, he’s a phenomenal dancer. He never missed a beat and rhythm. His songs were fun to watch. What do you have to say about the disagreements between judges and contestants? They are aware that they are on this platform to be judged and that we are present on the show to judge them. All of them are talented dancers but our responsibility is to spot and judge the best of the lot. Choosing the best doesn’t mean the rest are terrible, it’s about picking the most gifted and most talented from this talented lot. It’s been almost a year-and-a-half long gap between Bigg Boss and ZND... I try to do something different with every project on television. This is my third stint and every year it keeps getting better. I have judged a show before but here we are talking a different format. I liked the concept and dancing is what I have always enjoyed. Post-marriage I wanted to take up something that wouldn’t require much of my time. What gets you back to television? I had been on my toes continuously working for the past 18 years and so I desperately wanted to take a break and go a little slow in life. I have so much happening in life that it becomes a little difficult to manage movies with those other things. Television has worked for me because the viewers can still see me and I get a chance to express my opinion and views. What about the controversy around IPL and its chairman Lalit Modi? Please, let it be an IT probe, don't make it a media probe. I think things have been over-politicised and hyped. But talking about my team, Rajasthan Royals, we came in the second year and we went the right way. There is nothing murky about us and as far as the IPL goes, it's got so much name and revenue to the country. Lalit Modi has done a great job. You have been approached by an international publishing house for an autobiography. I have been approached many a times to pen down my experiences in life. But right now, I don't have any intentions of taking it forward. I am a little young for it. We saw Raj Kundra on the cricket field. Any chances of seeing him in ZND? No, Star can’t afford him. Itne paise mein main hi aayi hoon (They could only afford me with the money they had offered).