Ace sprinter from Odisha, Dutee Chand, who is usually seen blazing tracks, recently strutted her moves on India’s popular dance reality show, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.
Two-time Olympian Dutee Chand was a wildcard contestant on the show and danced to a song called Dhaakad from the Bollywood movie Dangal, based on the Phogat wrestling family. Dutee was partnered with choreographer Raveena Choudhary.
Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa is a dance reality television show and is the Indian version of Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing with the Stars. The popular show has been running since 2006 and is currently in its 10th season.
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“I have never danced in my life…I danced for the first time on this stage and I thoroughly enjoyed it,” an elated Dutee Chand said after her performance.
“I have never imagined myself performing different dance forms and competing against such stellar performers,” added the national record holder in the women’s 100m.
“Having said that, as a sportsperson, I love taking on new challenges that are thrown at me. I am used to performing in front of live viewers, but this is a new experience altogether,” the 26-year-old Dutee said.
The two-time Asian Games silver medallist also revealed that she watched dance numbers by Bollywood actor Madhuri Dixit, who is one of the judges on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.
“I had never met Madhuri (Dixit) madam but I have watched many of her dance moves. I was thinking that I could never dance like her.”
Dutee Chand’s act left the audience as well as the judges fully entertained. “I feel very proud that you are a part of our show,” said judge Karan Johar, a filmmaker and TV personality. “This is the proudest moment of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, I salute you.”
Dutee Chand was last seen competing at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in August, where she could not make the cut for the 100m semi-final.
