BBC Worldwide Scores Sony India Renewal

MUMBAI, January 12: Sony Entertainment Television in India has commissioned BBC Worldwide Productions India to produce seasons three and four of the local edition of Dancing with the Stars.

The Indian version of the successful format, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, reaches about 20 million viewers. The 14-week season three will feature 12 contestants, kicking off in February.

Albert Almeida, the executive VP and business head of Sony Entertainment Television, said: "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa is one of the most anticipated shows on Indian television. What makes the show so watchable and exciting is the format, which is about the performance and determination of public figures who are not trained dancers. It is this engrossing journey that the cast of talented celebrities undertake, paired with a dynamic bunch of dancer-choreographers, to put their best foot forward that makes it the most popular dance show on Indian television."

Saul Nassé, the general manager and creative head of BBC Worldwide Productions India, stated: "I’m delighted that Sony Entertainment Television have demonstrated confidence in commissioning two series of one of our industry’s biggest and most ambitious shows to be produced by our Mumbai production base. We hope this will be the first of many projects and look forward to creating an exciting and hugely entertaining series that will have audiences captivated."

Joining Saul Nassé on the production will be Tania Bath, the creative director, who has worked on previous series of Dancing with the Stars in India as well as Who Wants to be a Millionaire? The head of production for BBC Worldwide’s Mumbai office, Roshan Dutt, previously with FremantleMedia in India and a former executive producer of Vietnam Idol, will also be working on the project.

—By Mansha Daswani