You've seen him dribble and shoot, and score some perfect goals too. This time around, the blue-eyed boy of Indian football, Bhaichung Bhutia, is all geared up to set the stage on fire. With just a day left for the third season of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, a confident Bhaichung is busy learning dance moves.

“It's an entirely new ball game and I am enjoying every bit of it. Typical Bollywood dances have always fascinated me and each time I jig to a new number, I feel I am living a dream,” says Bhaichung. “I have hit the dance floor at night clubs, but I'm very spontaneous and casual on it. Training, matching steps with my partner and dancing to a rhythm were things that were beyond me,” he explains.

For someone who has given Indian football a new dimension, Bhutia is quite a surprise. “I've grown up on a healthy dose of Bollywood and I completely love the way actors jive. In fact, I used to wonder if it was as simple as they made it look. I am gradually getting a taste of it and know exactly how much hard work goes into it.” He is also full of praise for his dance partner, choreographer Sonia Jaffrey. “She makes things as simple as possible.”  

Bhaichung is wary of the fact that the other contestants might be pros as they are all from the entertainment industry. “Other than Mohinder Amarnath, all of them are showmen. Movements and flexibility come to them with ease. Nevertheless, my legs do more than just play football,” he adds with a laugh. “I am not scared of competition. But what makes me nervous is this — I have to lip-sync, emote, remember my dance moves and match them with Sonia's, all at one go! I think it's a great way to overcome stage fright.”

With rehearsals in Kolkata in full swing, under the vigilant eye of wife Madhuri, Bhaichung chuckles as he remembers the number he first danced to. “It's quite symbolic. I danced to Left Leg Aage Aage from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.” Untouched by the expectations of reality television, Captain Cool is all set to take on the challenge.