I leave it to the audience to decide whether my elimination was fair or not - Sophie Choudry

While the competition is heating up in Colors' much loved dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhlaa Jaa Season 7, it seems that popular VJ and singer Sophie Choudhry's journey ended in this week's elimination round. Though Sophie has been a consistent performer having showcased variety of dance forms however, left the stage of Jhalak.

In conversation with TellyBuzz, Sophie talks about her journey, biggest competitor on the show and more...


1. How has been your journey with Jhalak?

Memorable, challenging, extremely tough, very rewarding at times, disappointing at others . I'm someone who puts my heart and soul into my work and I take everything I do very seriously so this competition wasn't just about fun for me.. It was about working extremely hard every single day! This was definitely the toughest season of Jhalak so far but I'm glad i managed to make my mark!

2. Share your thoughts about your elimination.

I'm completely shocked and heart-broken! I truly feel I deserved to go further as did everyone around me and all the fans! If you look at the colors website, the support for me has been overwhelming! I leave it to the audience to decide if it was fair or not!

3. What has been the biggest challenge for you?

I turned down the show 3 times because I have had slipped discs in the past . The biggest challenge was overcoming the fear of injuries and taking everything head on. Another challenge was making my place on the show! Jhalak is an ideal platform for TV stars because audiences are used to seeing them everyday on TV and connect with them instantly.. I had to make a place in the audiences heart very quickly and I'm eternally grateful for all their love and support in this journey!

4. You have managed to give power packed performances despite injuries? What worked as a motivating factor for you then?

I discovered a very strong fighting spirit. I was never a quitter anyway but I pushed all my limits in Jhalak! The doctor would come home at 7am to give me injections so that I could perform! Post the fall, where the background forgot to catch me in time, I was on painkillers and injections for 2 weeks but I never thought about giving up. I didn't want to let myself, my loved ones or my supporters down!

5. Share one memorable moment of Jhalak?

Performing the Mr.India act In front of my favorite Salman Khan, getting a perfect 30 and him narrating a story about my first bike ride with him! It was hilarious! And also when Bebo (Kareena Kapoor) came on the show and told everyone how proud she is of me and how she wants me to win Jhalak! It meant a lot!

6. Who has been the toughest competitor according to you?

Everyone will agree it is Akshat! If he can win a face off against TJ, who has won So you think you can dance Canada, then he can beat anyone! I'm just glad that in my face off against him the judges found it very tough to decide and even asked the channel if they could save us both. That's how close it was. But he's a good kid, very talented and even though I have cried a lot since my elimination, I'm glad I wasn't the reason for his tears.

7. What do you wish to say about the comments you used to get from the judges?

Madhuriji called me beautiful, graceful, easy on the eye for 13 weeks. Every week she said this and it means a lot coming from her. Karan Johar knows me from before but I don't think even he expected me to be so dedicated and hard working! He was always so kind with his words for both my mother and I and I'm grateful for that . And Remo Dsouza was always encouraging and complimentary! I was never criticized for my dancing or for not working hard enough!

8. Who is going take the trophy home according to you?

It seemed obvious to most of us for a while now that Punit Pathak and Mouni Roy are the favorites and the fact that they were given the immunity ball proves it! I'm sure it will be as TV personality yet again!

9. What has Jhalak taught you?

That I am capable of anything, that I have a tremendous fighting spirit and that I still want to achieve a lot more in my life! I also learnt that it's a competition and like life it's not always fair.. Sometimes you can give it your all but it's not enough.. Nonetheless my mission was to win the love and respect of the judges and the audience and I'm really glad I managed to achieve that.. I think the entire Jhalak team and the audiences will really miss my presence!

10. What are your future plans?

I have always loved performing live and am already back on stage! I'm looking forward to a packed season of live gigs, new songs and definitely a new film! One journey may have ended but a beautiful new one has already begun!

Anwesha Kamal