“What a Superstar!” — Fans of Strictly Come Dancing Praise Punam Krishan’s Stunning Bollywood Performance

Season 22 of Strictly Come Dancing aired its latest episode on Saturday, October 5, 2024. The theme for Week 3 was Movie Night, during which each contestant, paired with their professional dance partner, choreographed routines to iconic film soundtracks.

Among all performances, one notably stood out. Dr. Punam Krishan and her partner Gorka Marquez made history as the first couple to present a Bollywood performance.

As a Scottish-Indian woman, Punam was eager to showcase her South Asian heritage on stage. Week 3 provided the perfect venue for this representation, as Bollywood is renowned for its popular songs and dance numbers. Her energetic performance left a memorable impact on both the judges and the audience.

Fans of Strictly Come Dancing took to X to praise Punam’s routine. Many viewers from the South Asian community expressed gratitude for her cultural representation on a global stage.

“What Punam has just done is huge. So emotional seeing authentic, unapologetic Punjabi and Indian culture on the main stage of @bbcstrictly — what a superstar!! You could see how much that meant to her! So proud!!”a fan wrote.

“Movie night has been exceptional this year on Strictly & Dr Punam’s Bollywood couples choice has been the best. Just what the Doctor ordered! Loved it & yes, proud Dr. Punam,”another fan commented.

“Yesssssssss @DrPunamKrishan crushed it on Strictly!!! Get voting everyone!”a netizen tweeted.

Supporters of Strictly Come Dancing commended Punam for proudly showcasing her Indian roots on stage. Many expressed that her performance made them feel represented.

“So proud of Punam & Gorka for highlighting our Bollywood culture! Making all of us British Asians cheer with joy tonight… feeling seen & represented!”a user reacted.

“Punam, that dance was out of this world! Thank you for bringing Bollywood to Strictly, I absolutely loved it,”one person commented.

“Mainstream media has a duty to be a MIRROR for the viewers it serves. Of the 6.6 million watching #StrictlyComeDancing just reached into the hearts of Asian kids all over the country thanks to @DrPunamKrishan. We ALL needed that tonight. Thank you,”another fan wrote.

Many fans praised Punam for her selection of a classic Bollywood track paired with traditional Indian choreography.

“I have never in my life gotten emotional watching Strictly before, but watching Punam dance in a gorgeous suit to Bole Chudiyan had me in tears. Incredible,”a user tweeted.

“OMG, I really loved Dr. Punam’s Bollywood dance. It’s so refreshing to see this as their couples choice. Bollywood and Bhangra are as energetic as jive and really tiring!”one person reacted.

Strictly Come Dancing star Poonam danced to Bole Chudiyan from the film Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham

Punam and Gorka made history by performing to a traditional Bollywood song, choosing to dance to Bole Chudiyan from the iconic 2001 film Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham .

Punam shared that she “never saw Indian girls dancing on mainstream television.”Thus, it was a “huge”accomplishment for her to represent her culture on a prominent platform like Strictly. The 41-year-old doctor, whose parents emigrated from Punjab to Glasgow in the 1970s, stated:

“In this couple’s choice, I really just want to bring my culture and my heritage to the forefront.”

The judges of Strictly Come Dancing were impressed by her performance. Two of them awarded her an eight, and one gave her a nine, totaling 25 points. Judge Craig Revel Horwood praised the meticulousness with which she executed the dance routine, describing it as “absolutely incredible.”

Meanwhile, an emotional Motsi Mabuse remarked how moved she was by Punam’s performance. She stated:

“I know so many people are watching you right now and feeling so proud to see this on Strictly Come Dancing.

Motsi added that witnessing Punam’s “hair flying”, “eyes sparkling”, and “the whole storytelling”was “wonderful to see.”

After her performance, Punam expressed that her four-year-old self would be proud of her. She emphasized the significance of representation, stating, “You can’t be what you can’t see.”Punam dedicated her performance to her late grandfather, who feared his grandchildren would drift away from their South Asian heritage.

Strictly Come Dancing will return with a new episode on October 6, 2024, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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