EXCLUSIVE: Chef Zorawar Kalra reveals his son didn’t want him to join Jhalak Dikkla Jaa 10

From Sangeet ceremonies to Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, Chef Zorawar Kalra talks about dancing on stage and braving a knee injury in this exclusive chat with Bollywood Hungama.

By Soumya Anantharaman -

September 18, 2022 - 7:30 PM IST

He is known for his excellent recipes and for being the judge of MasterChef India. Chef Zorawar Kalra decided to, however, experiment on television and joined Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. In a candid conversation with Bollywood Hungama, the master chef spoke about his journey from a sangeet dancer to bagging a celebrity dance reality show. He also revealed how his family reacted when he was offered Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10.

EXCLUSIVE: Chef Zorawar Kalra reveals his son didn’t want him to join Jhalak Dikkla Jaa 10

Chef Zorawar Kalra revealed to Bollywood Hungama, “I was quite taken aback when they offered me Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa because I have nothing to do with dancing and it is completely out of my comfort zone. So actually, I avoided the call in the beginning. When I checked with a family, they also gave me very divergent views. My son vehemently said ‘No, no, no, Papa. Because you don't know to dance.’ But I suspect the real reason why he didn't want me to do it, is because he didn't want me to embarrass him in front of his friends. Then I spoke to my wife, and she asked me to do it because I am a guy who likes to take on new challenges. That's how I said yes. I mean, it is the biggest show on TV and a big platform too. I'll do my best.”

He went on to explain further the reason he agreed to the show adding, “I'm here purely as a representative of the non-dancing community of the regular human, regular Indian - who doesn't get the opportunity to reflect or showcase their passion or come on stage. So I'm trying to be their representative because I have no delusions of grandeur. I know, I can never win that competition. I'm here for having fun and hopefully entertaining people in some way, shape, or form. If I can inspire somebody to come out of their shell, and do something that they thought they could never do. Then my job is done.”

Talking about his limited dance experience, Kalra confessed, “I have danced twice in front of people for two of my friends’ Sangeet ceremonies where some friends got together and performed. So I've danced to two different songs in two different ceremonies and that’s all the dance I have done in my whole life. And I am not even a closet dancer. I am not even the kind of guy who would listen to great music and end up dancing. So for me, it's completely something new.”

While he was enjoying the beauty of dancing, he also faced some of its repercussions. He recalled the time when he hurt his foot but he continued to remain strong and perform even in a wounded state. “I got injured on the first day and now I'm very easy on my knees. Luckily, there was no ligament tear. But still, after the injury and a ligament check, they advised me not to dance or to not to put any weight on it. But I'm fighting through it all. Going to need time to get it fixed. I'll have to do the entire show with it. I hurt my knee twice. But I'm tough, I can manage it. I just, I'm going to make sure it doesn't get any worse than that.”

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Amruta Khanvilkar opens up about her first performance on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa; says, “I wanted a hatta katta guy but I found this really tiny, thin guy”