In a momentous performance, Dr. Punam Krishan, a Scottish Indian doctor and author, has made history by performing the first-ever Bollywood dance on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. Dancing to the popular track Bole Chudiyan from the 2001 Bollywood hit Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Krishan’s performance marked a significant cultural moment in the show’s 20-year history.
The Glasgow-born Punjabi, who proudly refers to herself as a “Glajabi”—a blend of Glasgow and Punjabi—used her “Couple’s Choice” category performance to showcase her Indian heritage on mainstream British television. Krishan, a general practitioner in her 40s, became tearful when reflecting on her parents’ immigrant journey from Punjab to Scotland, where they built a life from scratch.
After her high-scoring performance, she shared an emotional message: “It meant everything. I feel like I just went to four-year-old me that would have loved to see something like this when I was growing up. You just can’t be what you can’t see.” She dedicated her dance to her late grandfather, who passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ahead of her performance, Krishan emphasized the importance of representation: “I am such a proud Scottish Indian girl. I never saw Indian girls dancing on mainstream television, so to be doing an Indian dance on Strictly is huge.”
Known as a “resident GP” on BBC Morning Live and BBC Radio Scotland, Krishan is a well-regarded TV broadcaster and author. Despite being outside of her comfort zone, she expressed her excitement about joining Strictly Come Dancing‘s 20th-anniversary season and vowed to give her best to the competition.
Strictly Come Dancing pairs celebrities with professional dancers to perform increasingly complex routines. The winner, who will be unveiled closer to Christmas, will lift the coveted Glitterball Trophy.
Key Highlights:
- Bollywood Debut on Strictly: Dr. Punam Krishan made history with the first Bollywood dance on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.
- Emotional Tribute: Krishan dedicated her performance to her late grandfather, reflecting on her family’s immigrant journey from Punjab to Scotland.
- Cultural Representation: Krishan emphasized the significance of showcasing Indian culture on a mainstream platform, calling her performance a proud moment for Scottish Indian representation.