With DID Season 6, we’re going back to the basics: Deepak Rajadhyaksha

Zee TV is all set to launch the latest season of dance reality show, ‘Dance India Dance’, on November 4, 2017. The show will air every Saturday and Sunday at 9.00 pm. Like every action-packed, dance-loaded season of the franchise, Season 6 of ‘Dance India Dance’ promises to be #AllAboutDance. 

Actor Mithun Chakraborty returns as the show’s revered Grand Master. The season marks the debut of dancer-choreographer Mini Pradhan as judge alongside Marzi Pestonji and Mudassar Khan, who have been part of the DID family across previous seasons. Comic online sensation Sahil Khattar and Amruta Khanvilkar will make their television debut as reality TV hosts. Season 6 packs in yet another punch with weekly challenges to the contestants by industry stalwarts like Saroj Khan, Farah Khan, Shiamak Davar, Chinni Prakash and Pt. Birju Maharaj, among others, who will appear on the show. 

Commenting on sixth season of ‘Dance India Dance’, Deepak Rajadhyaksha, Deputy Business Head, Zee TV, said, “We are delighted at the universal popularity ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs’, the No. 1 non-fiction property across GECs this year, has enjoyed through its entire course. We follow that act with the sixth season of ‘Dance India Dance’ – a franchise that has transcended the boundaries of a mere dance reality show and revolutionised the landscape of dance in the country.” 

He further said that the show is the perfect emulation of Zee TV’s brand philosophy – ‘Aaj Likhenge Kal’, which gives its contestants a platform to pursue their passion, hone their skills and etch their future. 

The core pitch of DID – #AllAboutDance – will be amplified through Zee TV’s integrated marketing campaign that includes multi-city outdoor advertising, TV and digital. In the week leading up the show’s launch, Zee TV’s social media platforms will be #AllAboutDance with every tweet, post, reply going out as a form of dance. The show will sport the tagline – ‘Dance Ka Asli ID’. 

Commenting on his return to the show, Grand Master Mithun Chakraborty said, “I have a strong emotional connect with ‘Dance India Dance’ and I am elated that the show is stepping into its sixth season. This year will be extra special as Zee TV has completed 25 years and it gives us more reason to celebrate. My association with Zee TV has been very enriching. As Grand Master, I feel responsible for the show and make sure that I motivate contestants to put their best foot forward, take charge of their destiny and realise their dreams.” 

In a brief interaction with Adgully, Deepak Rajadhyaksha shared more about the latest season of ‘Dance India Dance’... 

How is the format of this season different from the previous seasons? What new elements have been introduced in the show?
We have followed one clear principle – which is, let’s go back to the basics. So, there will be a lot many things that will definitely be in a refreshing mode. Each week there will be new challenges for the contestants, who will be groomed in terms of concept, presentation, dance styles, etc. Secondly, the way of presentation has been transformed. However, despite the many changes, Dance will remain as the core principle of the show – it will revolve around dancing and nothing else, which we have been doing in the past 5 seasons. We can say this to be a new era of dancing. 

Who are the sponsors on board this time?
Patanjali, Parle and Cadbury are our prime sponsors. There are others sponsors as well, one of which will be finalised as a presenting sponsor very soon. 

Sony has ‘Super Dancer’ and there’s ‘Dance Champions’ on Star Plus. How will DID hold its own amid all shows?
When we launched ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs’, there were several singing reality shows on various channels. But we stuck to our principles, which was liked by the viewers, they appreciated it and watched it. Likewise, this time, too, we are firm on our focus and we are expecting to get a positive response for Season 6 as well. 

DID had also come up with special seasons for mothers in the past few years. Is Zee planning to introduce something like that again?
Yes, we will do that. We will definitely try to come up with different seasons and concepts of DID in the coming times. But you will have to wait a bit for that. 

As per BARC ratings, ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs’ was the No. 1 show for quite a few weeks. How is DID planning to match up to the leverage that ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs’ has created in the weekend 9.00 -10.00 pm time slot?
When we launched ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs’, the principle thought was to go back to the basics. Similarly, in this season of DID we are following the same rule and the same thought process of going back to the basics. 

‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs’ grew over a period of time. I am sure that this season of DID will also grow over a period of time. The kind of effort that has been put into this season by the channel, by the production house, by the contestants and by the judges is tremendous, so I am very confident that this show will also keep on growing and will become one of the best ever dancing show in the TV industry.

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