Strictly Come Dancing: Punam Krishan says it’s a ‘huge moment’ as Bollywood music comes to show

Ahead of the dance, Krishan told Strictly spin-off show, It Takes Two that she hoped her children would feel “really proud”, seeing her performing the couple’s choice routine to a Bollywood song. “But [it’s] also for South Asians or any child that just wants to see something a bit different or just to feel included,” she added. “Representation matters, so for me this is a huge moment.” Strictly has dabbled with Indian music before, including with two professional dances in a Bollywood style. Singer Will Young also performed a salsa to Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire in 2016 – although that film was by Danny Boyle, and not Bollywood. But never before has India’s massive film industry been represented by one of the couples. Released in 2001, Bole Chudiyan is remembered for being the signature sound of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Last week, it was voted the UK’s favourite noughties Bollywood tune. The family drama movie featured some of Bollywood’s biggest names such as Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Hrithik Roshan. “It’s basically the Love Actually of Bollywood,” Krishan said of the film. “It’s a proper comfort movie.” She added that her dance partner Márquez had been singing the song all week. “You’ve really taken on Indian culture, you’ve embraced it all,” she told him.