Television

Lankans okay with dancing MPs: Sanath Jayasuriya

Kavita Awaasthi, Hindustan Times
Mumbai, July 10, 2012

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First Published: 12:40 IST(10/7/2012)
Last Updated: 16:23 IST(10/7/2012)

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Participant and former cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya shakes a leg with Madhuri at the promo event.

Picture an Indian MP (member of Parliament) dancing on a reality show. Yes, it’s next to impossible. If you’re Sri Lankan, however, it might be a whole different story.

Cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya, who is an MP in Sri Lanka, says, “People in my country are happy for me (for featuring on the

dance show Jhalak Dikhhlaa Jaa 5). They aren’t affected by their members of parliament starring in TV shows.”

Besides being an active politician, the southpaw also runs a pharmaceutical business back home.

Sanath was all smiles even when he bid adieu to the show on Colors. “I gave this show my best, and I’ve come to realise how big TV is in India.”

Talking about his experience, he says, “I enjoyed myself. There were ups and downs and it certainly wasn’t easy. I’m sad to go. I feel bad for my choreographer, who worked really hard on my dancing skills. I’d never done it before. It was a challenge, that’s why I took it up.”

Ask him about his final appearance where he looked tired and, even awkward while doing certain steps, and he says, “I was constantly travelling to Colombo and back. There were back-to-back rehearsals and performances every week — it got exhausting. It was difficult. Rehearsals would go on the whole day at times. I wanted the act to be the best we could do, so obviously I got tired. And unfortunately, I didn’t perform well in the last act, which is why I was eliminated.”

Sanath doesn’t rule out TV assignments in the future. “If I get a suitable opportunity, I wouldn’t mind doing more TV or even films.”