Shweta Tiwari with Raja

Shweta Tiwari recently performed a classical dance on a TV programme and the actor did a great job of it.

In fact, many of her colleagues pointed out that if she could have got a better partner for Nach Baliye, she would have definitely won the contest.

However, since hubby Raja wasn’t much of a dancer the couple was out of the dance show pretty early. But now Shweta seems to know all her moves very well. Good going, Shweta.

A sneak peek into ‘Nach Baliye 2’ finale

Who will be crowned ‘Jodidaar’, ‘Damdaar’ and ‘Mazedaar’?

For all ‘Nach Baliye 2’ (Star One) viewers, December 18 is when one jodi amongst the ten competing jodis will be crowned the winner. The finale includes some fun packed performances by not only the eliminated jodis but also the anchors and judges.

For starters, ‘Nach Baliye 2’ offers a skit performance by Shabbir Ahluwalia who plays Munnabhai with Rajeev Paul playing Circuit. “We have actually changed the lyrics of the song- ‘Samjo Ho Hi Gaya’ from ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’ and have added descriptions of the jodis and judges from ‘Nach..’,” says Rajeev. Non-dancers Hiten-Gauri and Sharad-Keerti will be seen performing on Qawwali numbers. And not surprisingly, the couples took more than two takes to get their steps right.

Shweta Tiwari got many compliments for her moves, while Raja who struggled with the steps was a supporting factor. The duo danced on ‘Krazy Kiya Re’ (Dhoom 2).

Gurdeep and Arjun, the newly- weds seemed to have no time to rehearse and despite practicing on the stage, got things wrong. Gurdeep was not feeling well but managed to pull it off in the third attempt. The duo will be seen dancing on a medley revolving around the marriage theme.

Gaurav-Narayani and Manav-Shweta’s splendid performance is something which will make the audience swing and dance. The last ousted jodi Tanaaz-Bakhtyaar and the eldest jodi Ketaki-Rasik danced on a medley together. Their power packed performance took many ceeti’s and kisses!

While all the jodis were battling to get their steps right, it was quite evident that the judges were getting irritated by the minute and Mallaika topped the list! Saroj Khan, too, seemed to be an aggressive mood, while Kunal’s attitude was very welcoming.

Apart from the title of ‘Nach Baliye 2’, three more titles have been introduced–Jodidaar, Damdaar and Mazedaar couple! And it’s the finale performances of the eliminated couples that will determine who wins these new titles.

Shweta goes under the knife
By: Vickey Lalwani
November 30, 2006

Aankhon Hi Aankhon Mein: Shweta Tiwari Shweta Tiwari will not be shooting for Kasautii Zindagii Kay at least for the next seven days. The actress is undergoing an eye surgery at Dr Himanshu Mehta’s hospital in Juhu. Tiwari had suffered an eye infection for not removing her lenses for three days during her hectic preparations for the Wild Card episode of Nach Baliye 2. She has a blood clot in her eye for the past few days. “The doctor says my vision is diminishing and I need to remove the clot. Hence, I am undergoing this surgery,” informs Shweta. Ek teer, do shikaar If all goes well and her eyes can take the toll, Dr Mehta will also perform LASIK on Tiwari’s eyes. “I want to get rid of my high number. Plus if two things can be done simultaneously, then why not? But if my eyes cannot take it now, then I shall get it done six months later. Let’s see how it goes. The doctor will take a call, there and then,” says the actress. Consequently, her play Shararat with Vinay Jain had to be cancelled in Dubai. “A play requires physical presence at that very moment. I could not comply. The producer and director were kind enough to understand and they cancelled the show without complaining.” Get together Shweta’s mother, who stays at Goregaon, will be coming to stay with her. “My mother-in-law has also come all the way from Meerut since Raja, too, is not keeping well (Raja is suffering from an abscess in his liver, which had forced the couple to bow out from Nach Baliye 2). So I am going to be with the entire family for the next one week,” enthuses Shweta. Raja on the other hand has resumed shooting for Apne Mere Apne (Doordarshan). He was present on the sets of Nach Baliye 2 last week to cheer Manav Gohil — the only co-contestant who had paid him a special visit in the hospital. His diet now includes homemade food low on spice and oil. He is still on medicines and will undergo a check-up on December 3, which will decide if he and Shweta can gyrate in Nach Baliye 2 grand finale on December 18.

Dost dost na raha
November 21, 2006
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Raja Chaudhary was discharged from hospital two days ago, but few of his Nach Baliye 2 co-contestants have bothered to call on him and ask about his current state of health.

Still unable to get past the quirk of fate that threw his wife Shweta Tiwari and him out from Nach Baliye 2 last Wednesday (the episode aired last night), Chaudhary was surprised that only Tanaaz Lal, Bakhtyaar Iraani and Manav Gohil tried to establish contact with him after learning that he had developed a liver abscess.

A few good friends

While Tanaaz and Bakhtyaar spoke to him over phone, Manav visited Chaudhary in the hospital after the Wednesday shoot got over. “I was expecting that all of them would come to see me,” he says candidly.

Manav got a huge watermelon with a ‘Get well soon’ message written on it. “That was a very sweet gesture. Plus, Manav’s visit wasn’t just for the heck of it. He stayed with me for over an hour. After that gruelling shoot, he could have paid a fleeting visit and left if he wanted,” says a visibly grateful Raja.

It seems, Raja was expecting some particular Nach Baliye 2 co-contestants to show up. Had he developed a close friendship with any
contestant? “No. I was just anticipating that they would turn up. If I had been in their position, I would have definitely been there,” he says.

Diet constraints

We shift tracks to cheer the man who has fought hard not to let his terrific dancer wife down. Are there any diet restrictions?

“No alcohol and cigarettes. I have been told that I cannot be subjected to passive smoking either. And I have to avoid non-vegetarian and spicy food. Most importantly, I have to stop consuming any outside food,” he replies.
Raja, who has taken leave from his two serials Apne Mere Apne and Gam Hai Na (on Doordarshan), is still not sure if Shweta and he will be able to perform in the grand finale slated for December 18.

He says, “I have to take the full course of medicines till December 3. Then, I will have to undergo a complete check-up once again. Only after that, will we be able to take a call on the finale performance,” he concludes

‘Nach’ed out of competition

Owing to Raja’s illness, the couple has bowed of the show; Shweta’s dreams of winning squashed

By: Vickey Lalwani

It’s official: Shweta Tiwari and hubby Raja Chaudhary are out of Star One’s dance show, Nach Baliye 2. This time, there’s no Wild Card round to bring them back.

Raja, who has been admitted to Arogya Nidhi Hospital (Juhu) for a liver abscess, failed to turn up for the shooting of the performance on Wednesday evening (will be telecast next Monday). No special concession was given to the couple that had made a triumphant return to the show only last week. This time, they had no choice but to quit the competition.

Class act

Shweta kept hoping that Raja would be granted special leave for two hours, but the hospital authorities did not permit emotional reasons to dictate over medical requirements. The doctors at the hospital forbade Raja from any strenuous physical activity.

Raja then informed Shweta, who decided to perform with their choreo- grapher Sagar instead. At this point, Star One made it clear to her that she wouldn’t be allotted any points but could go-ahead with her performance as a parting shot.

After her performance, the judges (Saroj Khan, Kunal Kohli and Malaika Arora) were visibly moved. They told her that she deserved 30 points for this act, and Shweta broke down.

Abrupt end

Our source at the shoot reveals, “Shweta was inconsolable backstage. Since the past few days, she has been hassled with her eye infection and then Raja fell sick on Sunday. She’s had virtually no time to practise. It is sad that it happened to a gifted dancer like her. She dearly wanted to win this contest and she knew she could pull it off.”

Feeling terribly disappointed that his health got in the way of the contest, Raja says, “The doctors said that any kind of hectic activity could prove dangerous. I eventually decided not to risk my health. In fact, I have been told not to dance for a month at least. The abscess is an infection caused by contaminated food. I have to take lots of care now.”

Shweta is definitely disappointed by this abrupt end to their participation. “We may not perform even in the grand finale slated for December 18. It will be the doctor’s call. Who would have thought that we’d go out like this? Life is full of uncertainties,” she says.