Nach Baliye 9 contestant Sourabh Raaj Jain is very excited about entering this big ticket Star Plus dance reality show with software engineer better half Riddhima Jain. “For the first time, the public will get to know me as Sourabh Raaj Jain and not my various characters (Krishna – Mahabharat, Shiva Mahakali Anth Hi Aarambh Hai), a privilege that reality shows throw up as opposed to fiction outings.”

What made you say yes? “I wanted to get rid of my stage fright. Although I have been facing the camera for years, I would still get the jitters while performing live. Hence, this time when the offer of Nach came, I decided to take the bull by the horns.”

“Last but not the least, Nach is giving me and Riddima a lot of time to spend with each other. I have been away from her for a while now due to work, which keeps me out of Mumbai.”

Sourabh Raaj Jain who regards himself as a below average dancer, says, “We are here to do our best. The format is designed in such a way to make you wilt under the pressure.”

Since you are shooting for Chandragupta Maurya in Umargoan, how do you guys rehearse? “Well, she has temporarily come down to Gujarat. Since she is a non-dancer, she learns the steps during the day and we jointly practice at night after I wrap up my shoot.”

How do you juggle a daily soap and a non-fiction show?

“It is quite tough but since I myself signed up for it, no complaints. I have to take the aches, pain and lack of sleep in my stride.”

When asked about the presence of ex-couples in the fray, he says, “As Salman Sir said, you can be friends with your ex. And this is a competition where you put in your best as a team.”

In closing, Sourabh Raaj Jain says he will now need to wake up to the social media game. “Till now, I was just happy giving my 100%. But now, even other things will enter the mix. I have started by hiring a good publicist. Rest I will learn on the go.”