From shaking off taboos to shaking a leg

Pratyusha Banerjee aka Anandi is ready to put on a pair of dancing shoes for Jhalak Dikhla Jaa. She spoke to D Kaushik

 

She is one of the small-screen’s blue-eyed girls.

Seven-year-old to sixty-year-olds. She has enthralled them all.

And has their hearty support when her small-screen husband Jagya. (Shashank), put her through torment of various kinds.

Pratyusha Banerjee aka Anandi has been one of the ideal bahus on TV.

Draped in a pallu and loaded with jadau jewellery.

But now, Banerjee will be a contestant on Colours’ popular dance reality show, Jhalak Dikhla Jaa.

“It is time people learnt what their Anandi is in real life. This show introduces  us to another side.

“I do not intend to get an image makeover from Jhalak Dikhla Ja. I hope it brings Anandi even closer to her fans,” said Pratyusha, who debuted with Balika Vadhu.

Banerjee trained in Kathak, as a kid, but never got chance to take dance up seriously.

“So when I got the opportunity to shake a leg with names like Ravi Kissen, Sanath Jayasurya and Jiaa Manek, I was excited. I enjoy salsa, rumba and Bollywood dance. My performances is not finalised. But I think it will be a mix and we will have a gala time,” beamed Pratyusha.

The problem has been juggling time between Balika Vadhu’s shooting schedule and dancing.

“I have not begun rehearsals yet. The warm up will prepare me for actual shooting. It will be tough, because Anandi is a performance- driven role and people have high expectations. But whatever energy I have, I will do justice to both,” ended Banerjee.