If Madhuri Dixit is known for her radiant smile, then Renuka Shahane is known for her flashing pearlies. So when Madhuri agreed to judge Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, Renuka found it easier to participate in it. “It’s because of her that I found it easier to say ‘yes’ to the show,” said the mother of two and wife of actor Ashutosh Rana. “It has been 16 years since Madhuri and I worked together in Hum Aapke Hai Koun. We share a very good relationship though we are not in regular touch since she stays in Denver. But whenever she is in India we try and meet up and talk,” says Renuka talking about her association with the film star. “It does feel great to be back with her on screen. Though I must also admit that I am nervous and excited to perform in front of her,” she adds. Renuka has always been known to be choosy about the roles she picks up, so she took up this celebrity dance show only after she was fully convinced. So, what made her sign on the dotted line for JDJ? “I have been watching Jhalak from the very first season and I must admit the basic concept of this show – converting a non dancer to a professional one is very exciting. I am a creative person; the challenge of proving myself in a new field is very challenging,” Renuka says. However, this is not the first time the powerful actress has been offered a reality show. “As most of you know, Ashutosh and I have been getting loads of offers from different reality shows. But we thought we should not do them just for the sake of it; only when we feel like taking it up should we say ‘yes’. This time when the offer came, he was the first person to encourage and motivate me to accept it,” she explains. “Whatever I am able to achieve in this show will be because of my family.” We never knew that Renuka had a passion for dancing. “I have always had a passion for dancing, just that I never expressed it. Even my mother was petrified till the time she saw me in rehearsals! She was unaware that I was so fond of dancing. Even my sons are very excited to see me dance,” she says flashing her famous smile. Renuka will be performing in the show with her partner, choreographer Jai Kumar Nair (a former Dance India Dance contestant). The first song she will be doing is Masakali Masakali from Delhi 6. So how was the experience? Renuka pauses briefly before answering, “I feel it went off quite well and I got mixed reactions. We performed the song in a Bollywood Jazz style. I must mention something about Jai. He is an extremely talented and jovial choreographer and human being. He came to know about my weakness in no time and started working on that,” Renuka smiles.