"Representation matters, so for me this is a huge moment"
Dr Punam Krishan will make history on October 5, 2024, when she and her professional dance partner perform to a Bollywood track for the first time on Strictly Come Dancing.
Calling it a “huge moment”, the TV doctor and Gorka Marquez will dance to Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham‘s hit track ‘Bole Chudiyan’.
It is the first time in the show’s 20-year history that a competing couple have danced to a traditional Bollywood song.
Punam said: “When I was growing up I never imagined seeing Bollywood on ‘normal telly’, as I called it.
“Because my mum and dad watched Indian TV and Indian versions of programmes that we see here.
“And I think growing up, you can’t be what you can’t see.”
Punam Krishan, whose parents moved from Punjab to Scotland in the 1970s, said she hoped her children would feel “really proud” seeing her performing the couple’s choice routine to a Bollywood song.
She added: “But [it’s] also for South Asians or any child that just wants to see something a bit different or just to feel included.
“Representation matters, so for me this is a huge moment and I can’t wait, and I know my granny in India is just so excited, so it will be really special.”
Indian music has been featured in Strictly Come Dancing before.
This included two professional dances in a Bollywood style.
Singer Will Young also performed a salsa to ‘Jai Ho’ from Slumdog Millionaire in 2016. But the film is not a Bollywood one.
It will be the first time that Bollywood has been represented by one of the couples.
Released in 2001, ‘Bole Chudiyan’ is known for being the signature sound of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.
The song was voted the UK’s favourite noughties Bollywood tune.
Speaking about the film, Dr Punam Krishan said:
“Essentially, it’s about families coming together, there’s lots of cheesy love stories, it’s about reunions, generations… it’s just such an all-time, feel-good film.
“And much like Love Actually, it’s where all the iconic actors and actresses of Bollywood came together.”
“I’ve watched the film over a hundred times with my sister, my mum… it’s a proper comfort movie.”
She revealed that her dance partner Gorka had been singing ‘Bole Chudiyan’ all week.
Punam told him: “You’ve really taken on Indian culture, you’ve embraced it all.”
Loading ...