I want to judge a TV reality show: Talat Aziz

Even though he was the first to be eliminated from the celebrity dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5, Talat Aziz isn’t dejected. Instead, the seasoned ghazal singer claims he is glad to have been a part of the whole experience. “I love how you are driven to give your best on the show. I rehearsed daily for three hours. Dancing in sync to choreographed movements can be very tough and the satisfaction once you get it right is phenomenal,” he says.

Ask him if he is open to being on a reality show and he says, “Sure, but it depends on the concept. Jhalak was perfect for me but on the other hand I can never do a Big Boss. Back-biting isn’t really in my nature.”

Talat has been part of reality shows before, but usually as a member of the jury. 

“Sunidhi Chauhan and Shreya Ghoshal were participants on the show I judged. But being on the panel then was very different from what it is these days. In fact, I have been wondering why I haven’t been asked to judge a reality show in the recent past. It’s been a long while now.” 

Although hesitant about predicting the winner of Jhalak, Talat feels Isha Sharvani stands a good chance.

“She is a trained dancer. When she moves, it looks as though she doesn’t have any bones in her body! I was so surprised that I once asked her how she bent her spine and demanded to see an X-ray,” he quips.

Being eliminated was the least of his concerns while he was on the show, says Talat. 

“I appeared on the show to enjoy myself and learn dance as soon as possible, which I did,” he says. “The remaining contestants have sent me messages saying they miss me. I have always chosen not to show my emotions on the camera; I am a seasoned veteran and I had to restrain myself from doing so. The very nature of the program is that someone has to go out and I am glad it was me. Let the young kids get a better chance.”