India witnessed the electrifying debut of the Dance Premier League, a groundbreaking reality show that captivated audiences across the nation and beyond. Produced by Cineyug for Sony Entertainment Television, this innovative competition redefined dance on Indian television. For the first time, dance teams representing different zones of India, selected through rigorous All India Auditions, clashed in an enthralling display of 8-person group dance skills. The inaugural season spanned 11 weeks, culminating in a spectacular Grand Finale broadcast on December 22nd.
Six dynamic teams, each embodying the spirit of their region, formed the heart of the Dance Premier League. These teams were Uttar Ke Puttar (North), Western Yodhas, Eastern Tigers, Central Surmas, Southern Sizzlers, and Desi-Pardesi, a team representing the Non-Resident Indians.
Each team was meticulously crafted with a distinct identity, complete with a unique logo, a charismatic brand ambassador, a visionary choreographer, dedicated official supporters, energetic cheerleaders, a catchy slogan, and even branded merchandise. The challenge was clear: each team had to embody the essence of their zone and unleash their competitive fire to be crowned India’s ultimate dance zone. The Dance Premier League attracted a constellation of talent, drawing in some of the region’s most celebrated dancers, acclaimed choreographers, and even popular Bollywood actors to serve as judges, elevating the show’s prestige.
The visual spectacle of Dance Premier League was enhanced by a stunning stage setup, masterfully designed by Lighting Designer Atul Sonpal. He deployed a powerful array of Clay Paky Alpha series fixtures to create a breathtaking environment. The stage featured a dramatic tilted ring above, adorned with 19 Clay Paky Alpha Beam 700 fixtures directly overhead. Complementing these were 18 Alpha Spot HPE 1200 units, projecting intricate gobos onto the floor and set pieces, and 11 Alpha Wash 1200 fixtures, illuminating the dome and adding depth to the visual canvas. The dramatic lighting effects can be glimpsed in performances like Uttar Ke Puttar’s Dinesh Mudiyar Dance Performance ”Love Me Love Me Baby!” available on YouTube.
Just like the renowned Premier League in football, the Dance Premier League adopted a competitive match format. Teams battled it out, accumulating wins, losses, and points to progress through the league. Each zonal team faced every other zone in head-to-head matches. A match consisted of solo, duo, and group dance rounds. The cumulative scores across these rounds determined the match winner. Adding a unique Indian flavor, the scoring terminology mirrored cricket, using terms like “duck,” “single,” “boundary,” and “sixer.” A victory earned a team 2 points. Mirroring cricket tournaments, post-match awards like “Man of the Match” and “Most 6’s” were also presented. After the initial round-robin matches, the top four teams advanced to the semi-finals, and ultimately, the top two clashed in the highly anticipated finals.
Sony Entertainment Television strategically promoted Dance Premier League, aiming to cultivate regional loyalty, mirroring the fervent following of sports tournaments. The promotional messaging emphasized regional pride, portraying the show as a high-stakes dance battlefield where zonal honor was on the line.
In a thrilling finale, the Western Yodhas emerged victorious, claiming the championship title, prize money, and the coveted trophy. Given the resounding success of the first season, Sony Entertainment Television has announced plans to bring back the Dance Premier League for a second season in 2010, promising even more dance action and regional rivalry.
