Ravi Kishan on the dance floor

"I am scared. I don't want to embarrass myself before Madhuri Dixitji," says Ravi who is one of the participants in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, the dance reality show on Colors. CS catches up with the actor:

Who: Ravi Kishan
What: On dancing not being his forte
Where: A film studio at Goregaon

Desi dancer
Throughout my life, I have been dancing in cuts and retakes. While I can manage the desi thunkas, doing contemporary cha cha, rumba, tango, etc is simply unbelievable for me. I haven't even heard of these names. My daughter told me, "Papa, you can't dance." I joined Jhalak just to prove her wrong. But let me tell you that dance practice is tearing me apart. I am 42, and these movements are exercising every little vein in my body. I have been a judge/anchor at many reality shows, and now I know that being a participant is not easy.

My foot!
My favourite dance is the one done at Ganpati Visarjan. I can do that with ease. But the thought of Latin American ballroom dancing simply haunts me. I remember way back in 1993, when I was shooting for Udhar Ki Zindagi (my debut film), the choreographer Habiba Rehman gave me a solid whack. That was because I was not concentrating on her steps. I love music but dancing is not my forte. But during Holi, after I am totally intoxicated with bhaang, I can dance for hours on end.

Chiffon sizzle
I love the monsoon season. It is so romantic. I have done a number of rain songs with Nagma and Rambha. In fact, as a producer I have myself placed orders of four- five chiffon saris for the songs. Nothing beats them. The grounds used to be slippery and I have fallen so many times doing rain numbers. Though we got hurt, we never complained. Cinema is such a passion.

Passion comes first
I have an exciting line-up of films this year. Though I am still doing Bhojpuri films, I have cut down on projects. Now on, I only want to do quality roles that have a lot of passion and intensity. I am doing Shyam Benegal's third film after Welcome to Sajjanpur and Well Done Abba. The fact that Shyamji is repeating me in his projects is a tremendous honour for me.u00a0