Mini's exit brings tears to everyone's eyes

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Television audiences are so used to watching Mini Mathur on screen for the past few months. No wonder, her exit from popular dance show "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa" comes as a big setback. As a host of "Indian Idol", Mini had won a big fan following. As a contestant of "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa — Dancing with the Stars", the support only grew but failed to transform into votes. In "Indian Idol", Mini would plead with the audience week after week to vote for the contestants. But when it came to asking for votes for herself in "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa", the modest lady only said: "Vote if you think I am worth it, and not because I belong to your region." She sure made all of us proud with that statement, particularly a certain Mir Ranjan Negi, and added dignity to reality shows.

Mini bowed out with a smile just like Tapur, but she did leave many others in tears. Mona nearly choked when she saw Mini's name on the cue card and burst into tears. Sandhya tried hard to hide her tears. Even the gregarious Cyrus was at a loss for words. The judges were shocked and begged the public to vote for the right contestants to avoid a repeat of the episode.

Mini took part in "Jhalak…" simply because she wanted to take up some task she had never done in her life. "I had never danced even at a birthday party," she had earlier said. With her choreographer-partner Hemu, Mini not only learnt her moves but went from strength to strength every week. Her parting act, a hip hop version of "Bunty aur Babli", was a surefire hit. So everyone was shocked by her elimination; the Indian Idol kids have been voting for her diligently.

Mini took the voting results in her stride and with her trademark smile. In the morning, she had said: "If I have to be eliminated, it should be today, or else, I would like to stay till the finals. I want to take a holiday with my son whose vacations begin this week. I don't want to be voted out when the holidays are over." Mini can now take that well-deserved holiday, but we want her back soon for another challenge on television. Meanwhile, Mini would definitely be dancing a lot more at birthday parties.

As for the show, it has to go on. Another week would bring yet another shocking elimination. So stay tuned to watch the next gala performance of "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa – Dancing with the Stars" on October 26 only on Sony Entertainment Television.