With more trained contestants performing, the 7th season of celebrity dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa is expected to get more challenging.

The show will see 13 celebrity contestants — Purab Kohli, Andy, Sukhwinder Singh, Karan Tacker, Sophie Chaudhary, Kritika Kamra, Mouni Roy, Sreesanth, Puja Bose, Palak (Kiku Sharda), Shakti Mohan, Akshat and Ashish Sharma — vying for the trophy.

Slated to go on air from early next month on Colors, the show will be judged by choreographer-director Remo D’souza, actress Madhuri Dixit and filmmaker Karan Johar.

D’souza, known for his critical judging skills, said it becomes difficult for the panelists with more trained dancers on the show. “It’s tough. It makes the competition cutthroat. We are also left speechless at times and this time we have contestants specialised in many dance forms,” he said.

Contestants such as Mohan and Roy are winners of a similar dance-based reality show while Chaudhary has danced in music albums and VJ Andy has choreographed several performances.

Pre-show jitters

“This time, participants have basic rhythm and music knowledge and that makes it tough for us. I have performed many times but this is the first time my performance will be judged. I am scared,” said Chaudhary, who has teamed up with choreographer Deepak for the show.

Former Indian pacer Sreesanth, who took formal dance training till high school, said: “I had closely watched previous seasons of the show on YouTube and found that this year is going to be tough because almost all of us have a dancing background.”

Zara Nachke Dikha winner Roy, however, said winning a similar reality show does not provide any edge over other competitors. “Every reality show is different. You don’t get brownie points in a particular show if you are already a winner of similar title. Rather, expectations go up,” said Roy, who feels Mohan is a brilliant dancer and has the maximum chances of winning the show.

Kamra, who is known for her stints in TV soaps such as Kuch Toh Log Kahenge and Kitni Mohabbat Hai, said trained contestants encourage non-dancing members like her to work harder.

The contestants are currently rehearsing for their first performance of the season in the Jhalak house at Versova.