Strictly Come Dancing’s Dr Punam and Gorka Marquez (Image: INSTAGRAM)
celeb – the daughter of migrant parents who moved from Punjab, India to Scotland in the 1970s – will be dancing to a Bollywood track along with pro dancer this Saturday.
The pair will be dancing Couple’s Choice to the tune of ‘Bole Chudiyan’, from the movie Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham – and it marks a very special moment for the primetime show. Although Will Young and performed a salsa to Jai Ho in 2016, this is the first time that a dancing pair will be going full on Bollywood.
The film won 12 major awards and was the most expensive in the country at the time of its 2001 release, so it was a huge cultural experience for those in the know.
The decision to dance to its soundtrack follows on from a Bollywood-themed performance by the pro dancers back in 2014 and another commercial Bollywood performance in 2022 – but this time it will be coming straight to viewers’ TV screens from one of the competing couples.
Dr. Punam has already taken to to share her joy. “So the news is out. This week is couples’ choice for Gorka and I, and I’ve got the absolute honour of bringing Bollywood to the Strictly dancefloor,” she exclaimed in delight.
“Words cannot express how special that feels. I know that my family’s going to be really, really proud, I hope to do it justice…. that’s what we are training. That’s what we are learning.” She added: “Gorka is embracing Bollywood and it’s going to be magical!”
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She added: “Representation matters and this feels huge. My DMs have exploded today – I can feel the joy. Thank you for all the love and support.”
The song is a fitting accompaniment to Movie Week, which will see everything from Barbie and Harry Potter to Dreamgirls and Tomb Raider represented.
After narrowly escaping elimination last week, will be performing a samba with Neil Jones to the tune of ‘Poor Unfortunate Souls’ from The Little Mermaid.
but he and Luba Mushtuk will be making a triumphant comeback as they perform the Charleston to Rain On The Roof from the Paddington 2 movie.
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Dr Punam and Gorka Marquez on stage (Image: INSTAGRAM)
and Jowita Przystal – who lifted the Strictly trophy back in 2022 with – will be sambaing to the George of the Jungle theme.
Meanwhile, there are many other film extravaganzas planned as part of Movie Week – but for now, Dr. Punam is revelling in the opportunity to get glammed up in a traditional Bollywood style.
She could scarcely contain her excitement as she confided during one rehearsal session: “We’re just in training but I’m about to put on all the Indian bangles, we’ve got hundreds of them here because they are part of the dance.
‘This is so exciting, I literally get to bring Indian bling to the dance floor.”
The moment of joy represents Strictly turning a corner following