BBC Worldwide has joined with ETV Bangla, a family entertainment channel in West Bengal, to produce the first regional version of Dancing With The Stars (Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa). Produced by BBC Worldwide Productions India, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Bangla will air on ETV Bangla in March and aims to build on an established and popular format to a local audience for the first time.

Myleeta Aga, General Manager and Creative Head of BBC Worldwide Productions India said, “Dancing With The Stars is an established global hit, and no more so than here in India. Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa has paved the way for other dance based reality series, and by introducing a region specific version to audiences in West Bengal, we are once again setting the standard of how such series can continue to be relevant and fresh. “

Following in the footsteps of India’s Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, the regional version will feature 10 to 12 celebrity contestants and is hosted by local actor and star, Jishu Sengupta. The Hindi award-winning version of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, which is produced by BBC Worldwide Productions India for Colours, has completed its fifth season.