As a dedicated follower of dance reality shows and a content creator for ten-dance.com, I tuned in eagerly to the first two episodes of India Best Dancer Season 4. Here’s a detailed review, breaking down the performances and initial impressions.
The initial episodes adopted the ‘Mauka vs Chauka’ theme, immediately setting a high-stakes tone for the battles. However, the elimination of the Tollywood dancer was quite surprising and honestly, a bit disappointing. His audition had been captivating, and even in the battle, despite a few minor errors, his overall performance was strong. Expecting him to secure a spot in the top 12 based on his audition alone seemed reasonable, making his exit a tough pill to swallow. The ‘Mauka vs Chauka’ concept, while adding drama, feels somewhat ruthless early in the season.
Comparing Nextion and Nepo, Nextion clearly stood out. Their performance was fluid and captivating. If only one could advance, Nextion was undoubtedly the more deserving choice. Their smooth movements and stage presence are exactly what you look for in a top-tier dancer. The trio act with Boogie was a highlight, showcasing their versatility and teamwork.
Arjun is undeniably a deserving contestant. His skill and passion are evident. However, the show’s persistent use of struggle stories during a contestant’s narration feels somewhat cliché and overdone. Channels should consider moving away from this predictable emotional manipulation tactic.
Chitranshi’s performance was decent, but didn’t leave a lasting impression. It was an ‘okayish’ act, lacking the wow factor that truly memorable auditions possess.
On the brighter side, the “Fevicol guy” was a complete entertainer! The judges’ and Momma’s reactions were spot on – it was indeed one of the most uniquely entertaining and bone-breaking performances witnessed. The song selection perfectly complemented his style, making it a memorable act.
Sushmita and Ishani were both fantastic. Their strength lies in seamlessly blending Western and classical dance styles. It would be fantastic to see Shweta return as a choreographer this season, as her expertise could further elevate such talent. The selection of Ishani’s boyfriend raises some ethical questions, especially if his audition wasn’t genuine. It leans towards feeling scripted, which can detract from the show’s authenticity.
The contestant who paid tribute to Geeta and Terence was a good dancer, but the comedic elements of his act didn’t quite land. The gags felt forced and didn’t enhance the performance.
Harsh delivered an incredible performance, posing a significant challenge to Samarpan. It seemed the judges or show producers were hesitant to declare a newcomer superior to a previous season’s winner. The excessive praise for Samarpan felt like an attempt to avoid directly comparing and potentially ‘dethroning’ a past champion.
Adina’s act, for some reason, didn’t resonate. The battle against Boogie also felt underwhelming. Perhaps this particular dance style isn’t as appealing, or the performance itself just didn’t click.
The choreographer from Odisha was a skilled performer. However, his selection process also seemed scripted. The sudden audience interaction felt out of character with previous seasons, suggesting a manufactured moment for dramatic effect.
Sunday’s episode saw Harsh and Adina both winning their battles against Samarpan and Boogie respectively. This led to Arjun, Harsh, and Adina securing their places in the top 12, shaping the initial top contenders of this season.
Additional Observations from the Episodes:
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Gaurav’s Hair Transformation: What happened to Gaurav’s hair? It’s quite distracting and frankly, not in a good way.
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“LOLO Love” Dialogue: The new catchphrase “LOLO Love” is already cringeworthy. Hopefully, the show will retire this before it becomes unbearable. Karishma’s constant DTPH anecdotes are also becoming repetitive. Mentioning them twice in just Sunday’s episode felt excessive.
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Judges’ Reactions to ‘Chauka’: The exaggerated reactions from judges and contestants when someone chooses ‘Chauka’ are unnecessary. The over-the-top reactions, like Geeta’s comment about contestants not thinking at all when choosing ‘Chauka’, and the equally dramatic praise for choosing ‘Mauka’ are illogical. The ‘Mauka vs Chauka’ concept was their creation, implying some level of thought was already put into it!
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Nepo’s Stage Name: In today’s cultural context, “Nepo” is a terrible stage name! It’s become synonymous with untalented star kids, carrying negative connotations that are completely at odds with talent and hard work.
In conclusion, the first two episodes of India Best Dancer Season 4 offered a mix of impressive performances and questionable production choices. While the talent pool seems promising, some aspects like scripted moments and forced drama need to be toned down to maintain the show’s authenticity and focus on what truly matters – the dance.
