Urmimala Banerjee (MID-DAY; December 30, 2014)

After reports trickled in about Ekta Kapoor co-producing the next season of Nach Baliye, speculation is rife that the couple dance reality show will get new judges too.

Filmmaker Sajid Khan, choreographer Terrence Lewis and actress Shilpa Shetty had judged the fifth and sixth season of the show. Insiders suggest that Ekta is keen to rope in actors and filmmakers close to her to evaluate the performers.

Right from the prospective jodis to the new panel of judges, everything is being closely guarded by the channel officials. Sources insist that the upcoming season will be more dramatic than ever. The names of celeb couples doing the rounds are Mohit Raina-Mouni Roy, Sanaya Irani-Mohit Sehgal and Jay Soni-Pooja Shah.

Two months ago, there was buzz that the show would be scrapped after failing to garner TRPs. Ekta now apparently wants to add some novelty to the show and is involved in the creative planning.

Terrence says, “I haven’t received any such information from the production house yet. If they are planning to revamp the show and need a panel that fits the new format, the channel will make the best choice.”

Sajid echoed him. “I have not heard anything from the channel to that effect.”

Refusing to divulge any details, spokesperson of the channel concerned says, “At the moment, everything is in the planning stage and we are not authorised to make any official statements.”