Choreographer GEETA KAPOOR talks to MUSBA HASHMI about the new season of Super Dancer & judging dance reality shows for over 10 years
From Dance India Dance to Super Dancer 3, how have you evolved as a judge over the years?
I’m able to interact with children better and have opened up and be more real with my work and people around. It has made me brutally honest about myself and my thoughts. Not just me, many people who are a part of such reality shows, evolve by leaps and bounds. It has created opportunities for everyone to express without having to struggle too much and with no filters or twist and turns.
What should the audience look forward to from Super Dancer 3?
This season is high on talent and the contestants have taken it to a whole new level. After second 2 of Super Dancer, we felt that the talent is exhausted and we can’t see anything better than this. But Season 3 will surprise everyone.
What is the most challenging part of judging a reality show?
The biggest challenge is to maintain my love and respect with them. I have to make sure that I am consistently loved by the children even after giving negative judgements or constructive criticism.
What goes behind the scene?
Since Super Dancer is a kids-based show, we want the choreographers to do their practice and prepare themselves first and not put too much pressure on the children. There is a lot of hard work and struggle that goes behind it. The biggest aim is to bring the families together and entertain them through our show.
One thing that you take back from the reality shows...
We take back a lot of love and hope from the contestants and their performances. Their love and passion for dancing is so pure that it reflects on the stage. Secondly, the platform gives an opportunity for exchange of ideas and learnings. When contestants learn, we also learn from them. You are teaching them and they are teaching you. At the end of the day, I go home smiling, unless it is an elimination day on the sets (laughs).
What are the winners of the first two seasons doing?
Those who work beyond just winning a reality show, you will always see them around. People like Dharmesh Yelande, Punit Pathak and Raghav Juyal are non-winners but they all are doing extremely well in their fields. The winners of the previous two seasons—Ditya Bhande and Bishal Sharma and the non-winners like Yogesh Sharma and Deepali Borkar are still working. Dipali is just 10 and she is anchoring a show. We always tell our children that there will be only one winner but never stop working towards winning. The winning attitude is what keeps you going at the end. Beyond a point in a reality show, you can’t promise anyone anything, we can just promise to give you a platform and support your passion. It is up to the parents to take their child’s talent further.
Which shows from the good old days would you like to see a remake of?
It will be Ye Jo Hai Zindagi from the 1980’s. It was a fun-filled show. Back then, since not many people had TV sets at their home, only a few have watched it. I remember we would gather at one place to watch it. It was a very impactfull show. I would like to see the remake of Hum Paanch as well.
How do you keep yourself updated as a performer?
I don’t put much effort into it. I just see what the contestants bring to us and give them an honest judgement. When we go back home, we ponder on how creatively the concept has been presented through dancing and learn from it. All this helps us grow as a performer.
What’s on your bucket list?
To restart my classical dance training which I started learning when I was a kid but had to discontinue because of various reasons.
What else keeps you busy?
Currently, I’m only concentrating on Super Dancer 3. When I am not working, I’d like to spend time at home and read some books or listen to music.
