‘Huge moment’ as Bollywood music comes to Strictly
Strictly Come Dancing contestant Punam Krishan has said it is a “huge moment” as she and her professional dance partner prepare to bring Bollywood music to the ballroom.
The TV doctor and Gorka Márquez will dance to Bole Chudiyan from 2001 hit film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham on Saturday night.
It is the first time in the show’s 20-year history that a competing couple have performed to a traditional Bollywood song.
“When I was growing up I never imagined seeing Bollywood on ‘normal telly’, as I called it,” Krishan, 41, said.
“Because my mum and dad watched Indian TV and Indian versions of programmes that we see here,” she told Strictly spin-off show, It Takes Two.
“And I think growing up, you can’t be what you can’t see.”
Krishan, whose parents moved from the Punjab to Scotland in the 1970s, said she hoped her children would feel “really proud”, seeing her performing the couple’s choice routine to a Bollywood song.
“But [it’s] also for South Asians or any child that just wants to see something a bit different or just to feel included,” she added.
“Representation matters, so for me this is a huge moment and I can’t wait, and I know my granny in India is just so excited, so it will be really special.”
Strictly has dabbled with Indian music before, including with two professional dances in a Bollywood style.
Singer Will Young also performed a salsa to Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire in 2016 – although that film was by Danny Boyle, and not Bollywood.
But never before has India’s massive film industry been represented by one of the couples.
Released in 2001, Bole Chudiyan is remembered for being the signature sound of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.
Last week, it was voted the UK’s favourite noughties Bollywood tune.
The family drama movie featured some of Bollywood’s biggest names such as Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Hrithik Roshan.
“It’s basically the Love Actually of Bollywood,” Krishan said of the film. “It’s a proper comfort movie.”
She added that her dance partner Márquez had been singing the song all week.
“You’ve really taken on Indian culture, you’ve embraced it all,” she told him.
Saturday night’s movie week will also see JLS member JB Gill and dancer Amy Dowden perform the American smooth to Pure Imagination from Wonka, while comedian Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell jive to the Wayne’s World Theme.
But Nick Knowles will be missing from the show, after being forced to pull out due to an injury.
The DIY SOS presenter and his partner Luba Mushtuk were due to perform the Charleston to Rain on the Roof from the film Paddington 2.
A post on Strictly’s Instagram page said that Knowles, 62, had sustained an injury during rehearsals and would not dance this weekend.
“As per the rules of the competition, Nick and Luba will receive a bye through to next week when he is hopefully able to dance again.
“Everyone at Strictly Come Dancing wishes Nick a speedy recovery.”
No further details about the injury have been disclosed.
