Star footballer Baichung Bhutia surprised many when he replaced his sports shoes with dancing ones. Very soon, surprise turned to appreciation when he proved to be equally good on stage.

Since then he has obtained a bigger fan following. Rajul Hegde caught up with the shy and soft-spoken footballer for more dope on Jhalak Dikhla Jaa and football.

What made you take up this show?

When I was approached for this show, I had date issues. But the channel came to me again with the fresh dates and I finally worked it out. I am not a great dancer but I have grown up watching Mithun Chakraborty dancing. I have danced in nightclubs, but that's just moving wildly. It's not about matching steps to a tune and emoting to convey what the lyrics of the song mean. So it was a challenge for me.

Do you feel bad when they criticise you on the show?

When you are a sportsperson, criticism is bound to be there. So I have already gone through that, I'm quite okay with it. Dance is not my bread and butter. The criticism is genuine because I am a non-dancer. At the same time, I took up the show because as a footballer, I wanted to check out the sport's popularity. I wanted to see if fans and viewers support a footballer.

What is the secret of you getting full marks for three consecutive weeks?

It's been possible because of my choreographer Sonia Jaffer. Sonia is the best choreographer so I do not mess with her steps. She makes things as simple as possible.

What's the response like from colleagues, friends and family?

Now people come up to me and compliment my performance. My family and colleagues have been very supportive.

The competition has become tougher now. Nervous?

The thought of dancing made me nervous from the day one itself! [smiles] At the end of the day, one feels happy to get good comments from the judges and votes from the viewers.

Who is your toughest competitor?

Hard Kaur, Gauhar Khan and Karan Singh Grover are far better dancers than me.

We are on this show for three months only and I have come here to learn dance. After Jhalak, I am not going to become a dancer or item dancer or make my career out of it. It will not break or make my life. After this I will return to football. I will be happy if I win and will not feel anything even if I don't. But definitely, I will go back as a better dancer.

Will we see you in other dance reality shows?

You never know. Anything is possible.

Why, do you think, football is not getting the importance it deserves?

There are two factors -- lack of infrastructure and development programs.

Do you think if money is pumped in -- like in the IPL -- it will help?

Yes, to a certain extent. Money is not everything but it's one of the major factors. Money can be used to build infrastructure, get the best coaches, equipment and buy land and develop more football grounds. Kids don't have proper playgrounds to play football in Mumbai.