Singh and dance

Seldom do we get to hear our Indian cricketers talk on things other than cricket. And seldom do we see cricketers address a press meet with a beautiful actress by their side. It was sight to behold when cricketer Harbhajan Singh gathered with television actress and his partner Mona Singh at the press meet of Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena on Saturday. With Harbhajan and Mona around, there was bound to be plenty of laughter. Another startling aspect was how Harbhajan refused questions on cricket saying that he is here to talk only on the show. Nevertheless, he was kind enough to answer a few. Often she would have journalists queuing for her but Mona Singh was pushed on the back foot as most queries were thrown at Harbhajan, Nevertheless, Mona stroked pretty well when she came on to the strike. Read on to know how Harbhajan and Mona faced up to the media. What was your first reaction when you were offered this show? Harbhajan: No, there's no way that I can do this. That was my reaction. Dance is a complete different profession and I am not cut out for it. I'm glad that there was no public voting or else I'd be out in the first round. I only took the show because I wasn't playing cricket then. How was your experience on participating in a dance reality show? Harbhajan: It was quite different but a pleasant experience. The moment I stepped on to the dance floor, I saw the choreographers rehearsing. Watching them I decided to head back home as I felt that there was no way that I could have done it. . I'm very fortunate to have a brilliant dancer like Mona as my partner. Mona, what do you have to say on Harbhajan? I'd seen Harbhajan dance before and thus I was really glad and relieved when Harbhajan was named my partner. Plus it is great fun when two Punjabis come together. Above all, he's a very good human being Was Mona a tough taskmaster? Yes, she was. In fact, she's hit me couple of times. Mona to Harbhajan: Where did I hit you? He's all lying. What do you have to say on the judges? Harbhajan: Being a former player himself, Wasim Akram knows how good or worse cricketers can dance thus he was very lenient. Sushmita, on the other hand, was a little strict. What will be your reaction when you see yourself dancing? Harbhajan: I laughed at myself after watching the promos and I'm sure the viewers too will have a hearty laugh. Prior to this show, I used to only dance during Republic or Independence Day celebration in school/college. Did you mostly dance to bhangra? Mona: Yes, there was bhangra too. Unlike other shows, here we do free style dancing. In every episode there was a theme. It's buzzed that two of you'll have won the contest. How true is this? Mona: No, it is not true. The shoot of the final is yet to take place. Harbhajan: We are one of the finalists but as Mona said the shoot is yet to take place. You need to watch the show to see the results. Harbhajan is known to be temperamental, did you ever rub him on the wrong side? Mona: Prior to the show, I had heard that he's a very short-tempered guy. However, he was pretty cool throughout the show. In fact, when I realised that he's harmless, it was me who emerged as the dominant partner. A day spent in cricket field and on the dance floor. Which is more taxing to the body? Harbhajan: Definitely cricket field! That is what you called reality. There are no scripts, no rehearsals in cricket. It's just not physical but it causes lot of mental stress. Mona, why is that after Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin, you've only been part of reality shows? That's because I simply can't see my self doing saas-bahu roles. I'm waiting for a good role that should be something in the mode of a Jassi. It's only then that I'll take it up. You're known to mimic your fellow cricketers. Did you do the same with your colleagues on Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena? Harbhajan: No, I didn't mimic anyone. We are here to dance. Mona: Yes, he did but it was all behind the camera. I don't think he missed anyone. He's really good at it.