10 Indian Dance Television Shows to Enjoy

Within the showcase of skills and talent, Indian dance television shows are the backbone of entertainment.

The past several years have seen the rise of some excellent dancers that have appeared on these shows.

Contestants on these shows perform with confidence, skill, and passion.

We invite you to join us on a thrilling journey that will introduce and refresh your memory to such shows.

DESIblitz proudly presents a list of 10 Indian dance television shows to enjoy.

Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa

When it comes to Indian dance television shows, this programme tops the list.

The show kicked off in 2006 and the format is inspired by the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing With The Stars.

In Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, celebrities pair with professional dancers and compete for the votes of the audience.

The show has won many awards and the judges have included Madhuri Dixit, Karan Johar, and Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

2023 saw the social media personality Manisha Rani take home the winner’s title along with her partner Ashutosh Pawar.

Of her victory, Manisha says: “I started my career through dance, but this stage gave me the most respect.

“This is the first time I have seen my talent being appreciated in such a positive way.”

Dance India Dance

Zee TV’s Dance India Dance premiered on January 30, 2009.

The show requires its finalists to perform a variety of dance sequences and diverse routines.

These include contemporary, Bollywood, and hip-hop.

From 2009 to 2018, the veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty was the head judge of the competition.

Other judges include the likes of Remo D’Souza, Sonali Bendre, and Geeta Kapoor.

The 2019 judging panel saw Kareena Kapoor Khan join the show.

Speaking about joining the panel, Kareena said: “I am going to work with them with my heart.

“I am looking to have fun rather than be too strict.”

This element of fun is more than visible in Dance India Dance.

Just Dance

Millions of Bollywood fans love and admire Hrithik Roshan for his excellent dancing prowess onscreen.

Whenever the star erupts into a groove on celluloid, he sets the screen ablaze and cinemas go wild.

So, it was fitting that in his television debut in 2011, Hrithik would anchor a dance competition.

In Just Dance, Hrithik is joined on the panel by ace choreographers Farah Khan and Vaibhavi Merchant.

The show gave birth to some talented dancers in its single series.

Kolkata-based Ankan Sen was crowned the winner in the show.

Adding to the charm of the programme, Hrithik gave each eliminated contestant a sum of Rs. 3 lakhs (£2,833) from his own money for them to take their dance ambitions forward.

Dance Deewane

This reality competition is an ornament of Colours TV.

Madhuri Dixit returns as a judge in Dance Deewane. 

The show sees performers representing a diverse array of dance styles and methods.

They all compete for a grand prize and are divided into three age groups.

These groups are known as “generations”, with the first group being the youngest.

In 2022, a spin-off called Dance Deewane Juniors aired.

Nach Baliye

Among the Indian dance television shows inspired by Dancing With The Stars is Nach Baliye.

The show initially ran from 2005 to 2019.

Judges on the show include Saroj Khan, Farhan Akhtar, Karisma Kapoor, and Raveena Tandon.

Contestants in the show compete for high scores from the judges as well as the votes of the public.

Divyanka Tripathi and Vivek Dahiya won the eighth season of the show. They comment on how the show helped strengthen their relationship:

“It has tremendously helped us come closer.

“In the last three months, we have been promoted by three years in our relationship as Nach Baliye really helped us understand each other better, spend more time with each other and there is so much we have learned about each other.”

Zara Nachke Dikha

Debuting on July 14, 2008, Zara Nachke Dikha encompasses celebrities who try their hand at dance.

Judges include Malaika Arora Khan, Arshad Warsi, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Vaibhavi Merchant, and Chunky Panday.

As well as dancing, the contestants have performed increasingly dangerous acts.

These include breaking glass with their bodies and playing with fire.

The show ran for two seasons. Season One focused on ‘Battle of the Sexes’, which saw the girls’ team take home the winning title.

This team was repeated in the second season and the girls claimed victory again.

Nachle Ve With Saroj Khan

The late choreographer Saroj Khan is a legendary pioneer of the film industry.

She masterminded classic routines in films such as Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999), and Lagaan (2001).

Lovers of Bollywood dance were thrilled when Saroj presented her skills to youngsters and wannabe dancers on television.

Nachle Ve involves teaching contestants and participants.

Writing for Firstpost, Archita Kashyap opines: “Nachle Ve has trained many young TV stars, including established names like Anita Hassanandani.

“It also reached out to clusters of fans and students across metro cities in India, groups that would watch Khan explain each dance move step by step, and in an easy-to-do manner.”

Dance Champions

Running in 2017, Dance Champions divides contestants into teams as opposed to duos or solo acts.

Remo D’Souza and Terence Lewis were the judges, while Punit Pathak was the choreographer.

The unique aspect of the show is that it featured dancers who won or were runners-up in different competitions.

Hosting the show were Raghav Juyal and Ridhima Pandit.

The Indian dancer Bir Radha Sherpa won the series. He had also won the show Dance Plus 3. 

At the time of winning the latter, Bir enthused: “I am very happy with winning the title.

“I have struggled a lot to achieve it.”

Zumba Dance Fitness Party

Zumba is incredibly popular among dance aficionados.

The television network Zoom presented a popular television show in 2016.

Zumba Dance Fitness Party features the actress Divya Khosla Kumar, the chef Ranveer Brar, and the singer Palak Muchhal.

The show involves celebrities performing complex Zumba routines in compliance with different themes.

The National Revenue Head of Zoom delved into the potential of the series:

“It is the first time that a television channel is launching a reality show based on a fitness party.

“Not only will it act as an entertainer but also help the audience exercise and get fitter.

“I am confident that it is going to be a very nice, fulfilling, and successful show.”

The Great India Dance Off

Returning to the genius Terence Lewis, we arrive at The Great India Dance Off. 

Terence hosts the show and mentors the contestants.

10 popular Indian dancers fight it out in dance battles. The show comprises 25 such battles.

The contestants in 2020 included Anurag Tomar, Mohit Janith, and Sheetal Pery.

Terence highlights what makes the contest different from other dance television shows:

“What sets this show apart is the focus on unadulterated talent and dance.

“There is no drama like the other dance shows.

“It caters to what the audience wants today, great and engaging content that is made for the mobile phone, without the frills.

“I’m so glad that this opportunity came by and I couldn’t be happier to associate with this unique dance show.”

Indian dance television shows are entertaining and they motivate viewers to shake their own leg too.

They promise memorable family viewing, a unique connection with contestants, and the potential for new role models.

While some of these shows only ran for a single season, they have carved a mark for themselves in the hearts of the audience.

So, what are you waiting for? Start watching these Indian dance television shows and prepare to be thoroughly entertained.