Preity on dance, her twinkle-toed favourites in the industry and more
Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; April 16, 2015)

She was never known to be a dancer, but Preity Zinta is gearing up to judge a dance reality show Nach Baliye 7. Tell her that and she will have you know that she is a “fantastic” dancer who never got the opportunity to showcase her talent to the fullest. If there’s one thing the dimpled actress has in abundance, it’s her zest for life and her chutzpah. Here, she takes all questions related to song and dance in the right spirit. Over to the phataka Preity...

Rate yourself as a dancer.
I am fantastic. Have you heard anybody say they are bad?

No, seriously?
I can’t believe you are saying ‘No, seriously?’ Like, seriously!

But you were never known as a dancer like Madhuri Dixit or Shilpa Shetty...
Now, if I got powerful roles that did not require me to dance, what can I do? Veer Zaara had no dancing, nor did Dil Chahta Hai, or for that matter Kya Kehna. There were some dances in Soldier. I played a journalist in Lakshya, a prostitute in Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, which had some dance. My roles were character-driven, but somehow those characters didn’t dance. I love to dance, but I was never given opportunities to dance much. However, now, that you have said this, mere andar ka dancer jaag utha! May be, I will do a film ABCDZ dancing till Z!

Who according to you is the best dancer — male and female?
It has to be Hrithik among the males. I know he is being raved about for his dances in Bang Bang, but I think his dance in Dhoom 2 is something else altogether. He is my friend but I was like wow — I became a fan of his after that. Among females it’s Aishwarya (Rai Bachchan). From Nimbooda (Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam) to Dhoom 2, there is no better Indian dancer than her. She is equally amazing in Western dances. However, the one who is slightly better than both of them is me! This is to ground them just in case they start smiling too much after reading this. (laughs)

If you had to pick a dance partner, it would be...
Hrithik (Roshan). And if I am allowed two partners then even Aishwarya (Rai Bachchan).

Three songs of yours that you see yourself dancing to?
Where’s The Party Tonight (Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna). The second would be Tera Rang Balle (Soldier). Whenever they play that song, I jump up and start dancing it is addictive and so much fun. The third would be Jiya Jale from Dil Se.

Judges often end up performing on the show. Will you dance too?
Don’t expect to see anything that you have seen before. This whole format is different. If you feel it will have the predictability of a ‘judge has to dance’, you won’t see that.

How tough will you be?
I will be very fair and ethical. I am going to be myself. I am not that kind of a person, who believes in belittling someone. I believe that the best performance comes out when you encourage the contestants, not when you are mean to them.

The song that always makes you dance is...
Of late it’s Subah Hone Na De (Desi Boyz). Whenever I hear it, I start dancing.

You will be juggling the show and IPL, right?
Yes, and with a heavy heart, will miss one or two games because of the shoot.