No more television for Abhijeet Sawant

One of the best jodi's of Nach Baliye 4, Abhijeet Sawant and wife Shilpa are having a gala time due to the ongoing strike. We talk to the singer, dancer cum actor on what is going on with no nach, Bollywood and television!!

“We are just bored sitting at home. We do practice, but not as seriously because we have no idea when the strike will get over”, says Abhijeet.

So are there any plans for a vacation? “Well we thought the strike will get over in a week, so did not go out of the station. But now, if things don't resolve, may be on Saturday I'll go to my native place in Konkan”, says the Idol.

So what kept him busy all these days? “I was busy with my playback singing and stage performances. Initially it had become difficult to balance out, as I was doing too many things at a time. Now due to the strike I feel relieved as there is no hush- hush between the shoots, my stage shows and singing”, quips Abhijeet.

After Nach, you must be flooded with offers on television, so are there any chances of seeing you more on TV? “I don't want to do much on television. After Indian Idol, I took another best show which gave a boost to my personality. Even Nach Baliye has maharati's and is very popular. Now I want to move ahead and progress in life”, says he.

We have heard you are getting offers for fiction shows too. “Yes I got few offers, but I refused it. The day I start to do more of television, then people will tend to think that Abhijeet doesn't have any other work to do. Doing fiction on television will be my last option. But in future, if I get some good offers like these, then I don't mind”, quips the singer.

Abhijeet and Shilpa richer by 2 lakhs

Jodi No 12 Abhijeet Sawant and Shilpa got a perfect 30, thus winning the 2 lakhs cash prize from the EMI team in Nach Baliye. This week’s Nach Baliye has something special in store for the jodis, as the Anna of Bollywood, Suniel Shetty and the sexy Malaika Arora of EMI will give away a cash prize of 2 lakhs to the best performing Jodi…

As all the Jodis geared up to impress the celebrity judges, Jodi # 12, Abhijeet Sawant and Shilpa walked away with the money as they were adjudged the ‘Best’ by the EMI team…

According to our source, “Abhijeet and Shilpa played a tribute to the father and son pair of Rishi Kapoor & Ranbir Kapoor. They did a medley on the song Bachna Ae Haseeno. The whole performance had lot of steps that reminisces of Rishi, Raj, Randhir, Shashi and Shammi Kapoor. The only step, which was missing, was of Karisma Kapoor, which was completed by Karisma herself; when the couple requested her to come up, shake a leg with them, to complete the tribute to RK family!”

Abhijeet and Shilpa who got good marks in the very first episode of Nach Baliye could not recreate the same magic for the past two weeks, but did marvelously well this time and got applauded by the judges! “They got a perfect 30 and also were the worthy winners of 2 lakhs, which the EMI team gave them for their best performance”, concludes our source.

Abhijeet Sawant hits jackpot!

Ticket to Bollywood...that’s what Abhijeet Sawant has bagged through Lottery. Come December and the singer, who had shown his Junoon as the first Indian Idol will now be seen in Hemant Prabhu’s romantic thriller.

Says Sawant in his usual sing-song voice, “I’m playing an accountant, Rohit, who likes keeping to himself. But with a sudden turn of events, he finds himself trapped in a murder conspiracy. How he fights the system to prove his innocence is what the story is all about.”

The singer-turned-actor, who in his own words, is “taking a big plunge”, will be seen wooing Rucha Gujarathi onscreen. Ask him whether his first-ever stint before the camera had him develop cold feet and Sawant is quick to quip, “Since I’ve shot for my music videos, I don’t fight shy from the camera. Thanks to the unit, I felt at home.This definitely is music to our ears.

Abhijeet Sawant: In Step

Indian Idol 1 winner Abhijeet Sawant who’s put on his dancing shoes for Nach Baliye 4 talks about dance, music and competition

Why this sudden transition from singing to dancing?
Nach...is not something that will change my career. It will give me something different to do. It’s not about competition or about highest marks or about performing well. I took it up to just enjoy and it was once in a lifetime opportunity. It feels good to be a part of such a big show.

How easy was it convincing your partner?
When they called us for the first time, even I was unsure because both of us are non-dancers and she is a very camera-conscious person. We had problems and she also did not agree to appear on Nach. So I refused then. But after that we realised that both of us should have given it a shot. We were fortunate enough that they called us up again. Without giving it a thought, we agreed yes this time just to have a little bit of fun.

Does dancing come easily to you?
No, it is difficult. We have absolutely no background in dancing but our choreographers are trying to make us dance. We are also trying our level best. It took us two days to just get into the groove but we are improving.

Who is a better dancer, Shilpa or you?
I guess Shilpa is a better dancer than me. But she is extremely camera-shy, so that is a problem. But as we proceed, I am sure she will shed her inhibitions and perform better.

How many hours do rehearse everyday?
We rehearse everyday for four hours at least. It gets difficult for me because I have to juggle dancing with my other commitments. So I have to compromise on my sleep.

Who according to you is the best couple in Nach...?
Shaleen and Daljeet are very good dancers. They complement each other very well. But this is just the beginning and I am waiting to see the others put up a good show.

How would you rate yourself as a dancer on a scale of 1 to 10?
It is too early to assess my dancing ability. But even then I guess I shall give myself a 7 on 10.

What do you enjoy more- singing or dancing?
I always enjoy singing because that is my profession. Yeah, dancing is something different and have always enjoyed experimenting with new things. I was a radio jockey for a while and now I am experimenting with acting.

t is happening with your debut film Lottery?
It is almost complete. It will release in December. We are waiting for a proper date to release the film. I am not a big star to demand a big role so I am happy with the way my film has shaped up because I always wanted to do such a role. There are no over-the-top performances and this is how I wanted my first film to be.

Who are your toughest competitors?
I have done two reality shows before this and have never thought about competition. I am my own competitor. Everybody is good and I am here to just do my job.

What next after your film?
My career has shaped up very well. Very few people have reached where I am today. Two of my albums have released and one film is up for release. What else can I ask from God! I feel blessed!