Sonia Jaffer-Fraser

Tuesday, 23. June 2009 - Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

Twelve celebrities, but only one champion of the dance floor: Indian star skipper Baichung Bhutia added another title to his roll of honours, while winning the latest edition of 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 3 - Dancing with Stars'. Baichung performed week by week before a live studio audience and millions of viewer's in-front of the TV screens.

But Baichung's success is also the result of his hard-working choreographer and dance partner - Sonia Jaffer-Fraser. Sonia has made the star footballer a household name for his dance moves for which he wasn't known for according to his family and friends.

'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 3' was Sonia's second stint with the dance reality show. In the earlier season, film-maker Mahesh Manjrekar was her co-contestant. But it was in this season when she surpassed herself as a dancer.

IndianFootball.Com's Assist. Editor-in-Chief Chris Punnakkattu Daniel had the chance to catch up with Sonia and to talk to her about 'JDJ3', Baichung and her career. Enjoy the interview…


Chris: Sonia, first of all I would like to congratulate you for winning 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 3'! You and Baichung delighted millions of fans with stunning performances. How would you describe your emotions after winning the contest?

Sonia: First of all I really want to say that I am honoured to do an interview with this site! My respect for football has grown so much and football would be the only reason for me to want to be a guy...

Coming to the question... After winning I was humbled because the Lord had it in his will for us to win and I'm thankful for all that he did for us.


Chris: It was a long and emotional edition of the reality show. How much does this title mean to you personally?

Sonia: At that point, the title meant everything to me for two reasons. I needed closure. I came close to winning it in Season 1 and I didn't. I took it very personally. I wanted to claim what I believed was mine. Secondly, when I met Baichung and witnessed his focus and commitment towards the competition… suddenly, it was not all about me! I wanted to give him the trophy because I saw it first what even he didn't see... his potential!


Chris: You were assigned with the task to introduce Baichung to the world of professional dancing. A footballer set to turn into a dancer… How was your reaction on the choice and did you know Baichung Bhutia before 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 3'?

Sonia: My reaction... I thought I was the most blessed choreographer to get Baichung Bhutia as my celebrity. But before Jhalak I had seen him only twice. Once on TV when I was 15 and the other time when I used to be just a dancer many years back and I performed at this event in Calcutta where he was the chief guest.


Chris: What were Baichung's strengths and weakness on the dance floor? And how did you manage to help him to resolve his deficits till the final appearance?

Sonia: Baichung's strength was that he is an active sportsman. I took full advantage of it... His weakness was just that he had never danced before. There was nothing to resolve. I just had to bring out what was in him.


Chris: Would you describe Baichung as a talented dancer? Yes of course, he won the show and we all know about his qualities on the football field, but how do things look like from a professional's perspective?

Sonia: I would say he has the potential of a very good dancer! A few more months with me and... (laughing)… He will kill me if he reads this… but it's true...


Chris: What did you like about Baichung and what drove you crazy?

Sonia: I loved everything about him... He is just that kind of a guy... Very lovable… I can't imagine a single person exists who does not like him!

What drove me crazy was, when he used to come from football practice to dance rehearsal. He used to be so tired and yawn like endlessly... Can't blame him but it drove me nuts.


Chris: Which of your 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 3' performances would you rate as the best and why?

Sonia: I would rate the contemporary one the best where I played a battered woman and he played my saviour because that was a very demanding act... My character was so strong and he had to play a soft character with tenderness and aggressiveness at the same time... and he did it! I've known dancers from around the world… no one could derive that mix the way Baichung did. All credit to him for that!


Chris: You choreographed entertaining dance performances and it looked like, if Baichung is feeling comfortable with any role you gave him! Did Baichung ever say 'No, I not gonna do that!'…?

Sonia: He refused to dress up like a girl…


Chris: The choreographies looked amazing, while watching it on TV. But many people don't realise the work behind it. Could you explain us the work-flow of designing a choreography?

Sonia: I don't really have a flow... I choose the song... I see the choreography in my head and then I teach it... I know... boring...


Chris: The 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 3' jury consisted of Saroj Khan, Vaibhavi Merchant and Juhi Chawla. What do you think about these three people and their judgement on the performances? And did you have a favourite jury member?

Sonia: They were pretty fair, but I felt like they came across as amateur judges... I didn't feel they had that 'eye'... But they very rarely were unjust... No favourites at all!


Chris: The jury were sometimes critical of your performances, but as the show moved towards its climax it seemed that they were all Baichung fans. Were you surprised?

Sonia: No, I was not surprised at all... I had a strategy and it all went the way I planned.


Chris: Baichung shared the Rs 4 Million (40 lakh) prize money with you. Where you surprised with this decision?

Sonia: No, I was not surprised... That's just him!


Chris: You now visited Baichung's home state of Sikkim. And even danced there with him at the Paljor Stadium in Gangtok. How was the experience?

Sonia: The four days that I was there was like a dream... Totally indescribable... I just thank the Lord that he granted me those days... That's all I can say.


Chris: Would you be interested to take part in the next edition of 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa'? And which celebrity would be your choice as a dance partner, if you could decide?

Sonia: No, Jhalak is over for me as a choreographer! I got whatever I wanted this season…


Chris: Well, many people know you as 'Baichung's dance partner' and they may know very little about your background… Please tell us more about your background! Where do you and your parents hail from? Where did you grow up and which schools did you attend?

Sonia: My dad is East African and my mum is Indian. I was born in Mumbai, but grew up in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), then Kuwait then Panchgani. I was in a boarding there till my 10th.


Chris: Do you have any siblings? What are their names and are they also into dancing?

Sonia: No, I've no siblings…


Chris: When did you get interested in dancing? Are there any childhood memories about your first dance experiences? What importance does 'dancing' have for you personally?

Sonia: I was always interested in dance though being a part of the industry happened to me by chance. The day I don't dance, I walk around like a zombie. I wish I could perform every day...


Chris: Which dance forms/styles do you consider your favourite ones? And are there any dance forms/styles you would like to incorporate to your repertoire?

Sonia: Well, my favourites... Contemporary and the rumba! I would like to add tap to my repertoire.


Chris: Your choreographies did also attract the Bollywood film industry and you will be having your next one in the Zaighan Ali directed film 'Fast Forward'. Has been Bollywood choreography your ultimate goal or are there any other highs you would like to achieve?

Sonia: 'Fast Forward' is my fifth film... Bollywood has always been a place I wanted to be in, but my goal is Hollywood.


Chris: So Hollywood... Are there any directors or/and actors you would love to work with?

Sonia: There are so many visionary directors. But for some reason I got James Cameron stuck in my head! Actor... Leonardo Di Caprio... I want to touch him to know he is real... That talent like him is REAL!


Chris: I've heard that you are coming from a football crazy family? Is that right? Please tell us about your affiliation with football...

Sonia: My husband and his siblings 4 of them… They are football fanatics... We don't watch TV at home. We only watch football and if MAN U is playing I can't talk to them…


Chris: Do you follow football matches regularly? Which competitions or teams do you follow?

Sonia: Yes, I do! Every competition… not out of choice though... Real Madrid is my favourite club!


Chris: Why did you choose Real Madrid? What's so special about them?

Sonia: It's not for the football really that I like Real Madrid. There is a certain aura about this club... A personality... With all the money they have... I like the way they have a balance in flaunting it… But still with a lot of pomp! Very, very attractive club! Good football too but mostly all clubs have that.


Chris:  Which players are your favourite ones? And are there any players you would love to meet personally?

Sonia: Ronaldo... And Cristiano Ronaldo ... But I'm not interested in meeting anyone personally though!


Chris: Real Madrid have signed Cristiano Ronaldo for a record transfer fee of $131.2 million from Manchester United! What do you think about Ronaldo and is any footballer worth to be transferred from one club to another for so much money?

Sonia: A footballer is worth for that moment... Many have come and many have gone! So with Cristiano... He has come... and he will go! It's his moment now and he totally deserves it... Kaka too!


Chris: Did you know about IndianFootball.Com before this interview? How did you come to know about us?

Sonia: No, I did not know about this site before. Baichung was going through it one day on his phone and showed it to me! I don't know how, but it's now a habit for me to visit the site every day... An awesome site!


Chris: Finally we would like to give you a chance to send out a message to everyone around the globe reading this interview!

Sonia: To everyone reading... If you reached here, it means you read the entire interview! Thank you for your interest! Believe that the Lord has made you with a purpose... You are not here to let your life just go and not fulfil your dreams. God is bigger than the air we breathe... bigger than this world we'll leave and he loves you and your innermost dreams. Trust him to bring it to pass and don't give up... You are worth much more than you think! God bless and may you have a revelation of him...


Chris: Thanks a lot for taking some time to do this interview with IndianFootball.Com! We would like to wish you all the best for your upcoming projects! And keep following IndianFootball.Com…