I will be more of a mentor than a judge: Terence Lewis

Choreographer Terence Lewis, who was seen judging dance reality show Dance India Dance and Life OK’s Hindustan Ke Hunarbaaz, is all set to judge the couple show Nach Baliye season 5 with Shilpa Shetty and director Sajid Khan. The show will be hosted by TV heartthrobs Karan Wahi and Gautam Rode. We spoke to Terence Lewis and asked him about his judging mantra. Excerpts: “Well, as we all know that Shilpa, Sajid and I are the judges. Since I am from the choreography background, I can only talk about the techniques. The participating couple’s chemistry will be good because they are couples, but I will look out how they would be improving themselves, they being non-dancers. It’s not just about criticizing, but I am going to motive and guide them, giving them tips, what they can do in certain lifts and how to land etc.” Compared to the other reality shows, those related to dance are increasing! “Yes, agreed, after Dance India Dance, this format created a lot of awareness. Earlier dance was not considered as an art but as a source of entertainment. So somewhere, we have tried to show that a lot of effort happens through dance. Therefore, dance shows are growing in importance and are being brought in by several channels. Nowadays, parents don’t let their children become doctors or engineers; they say dance karta hai karle yaar, singing karta hai, karle yaar. So, that’s the great change of 2000,” he answered. It is often said that there is an extra tadka besides talent? “Yes, reality shows are not only about dance and personalities, because when you see so many dancers, choreographers, couples, whom would you keep in mind? It is the one who sticks out with some kind of eccentricity, quirkiness, emotion or fun. This kind of couple stay in one’s mind and it is them who people vote to proceed further. Are you going to lower your bar in terms of judging as you were part of Dance India Dance? “No, I don’t have to lower my bar at all; it is just that I have to see them from different angles. You can’t use the same lens as you see a dancer, because dancers are trained and they are untrained. I am going to see how they will come up with certain lifts, music timings, rhythm, balance, sync and overall performance. So, they have lot of challenges on their plate. I am going to scrutinize their journey from start to the end. Every week, I will give them tips, which will help them improvise themselves. On the whole, I am going to be more of a mentor than a judge,” Terrence averred. Do you think that from this show, they would rise up from where they are? “I think anybody who puts an effort in any field and show some focus progresses. Being actors, they have been seen on television; now they will have to pull up their socks as dancers.” Do you think they will bring their own baggage being a star? “They will bring their own baggage, they will bring their own elements, their own quirkiness I think it’s all a package. When they signed every one of us knew what we were getting into. It’s a part and parcel of the game,” he observed. Do the audiences vote for quirkiness or talent? “Well, it’s a combination of both. It is the combination of which couple appeals to me and what has their journey been,” he quipped. Lastly, do you think that dance reality shows are losing their charm? “No, if it was, then why would we have the latest edition of Nach Baliye? Dance India Dance has been rated very high and I hope that Nach Baliye would also rate very high,” Terence concluded.