Drashti’s popularity helps, but it’s not enough: Salman Yusuff

Choreographer Salman Yusuff Khan and TV actress Drashti Dhami’s performances have been greatly appreciated on “Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6”, but the former says that more than the popularity of a celebrity, dance acts are important.

In the earlier two seasons, he partnered actors Yana Gupta and Isha Sharvani, respectively, and they were not as popular as Drashti, but got recognition for their dance.

“On a show like this her (Drashti’s) popularity does help. But in the last two seasons, Yana and Isha were not that famous, it was their performances, which made people like them. So it works both ways. Eventually people will see the performances and if we don’t deliver, people will not accept it,” Salman told IANS.

But at the same time, the choreographer admits that this season is gratifying.

“It has been great. In the last season everyone used to say that Isha is a dancer and she can do it. This season I feel more satisfied as a choreographer,” he said and added despite teaming up with a non-dancer like Drashti “getting (good) scores is very satisfying”.

The weekend show comes on Colors.

Salman has been choreographing for the show since the past three seasons and said that the “toughest” part is to bring novelty on the stage.

“It takes so much energy in conceptualising and coming up with new stuff. Right now I am in a blank situation. Sometimes a song, or a costume pushes the limit. I basically never play safe in terms of thinking or conceptualising,” he said.