Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor well known for his versatility as a dancer and as an intense actor will be elevating the entertainment level of popular dance show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa season 8 as the judge. The Haider star, who won several awards for his film this year, makes a debut on Indian Television by replacing dancing diva Madhuri Dixit, a sensational actress of yesteryear's who was the judge for the last several years. The actor took dancing lessons from ace choreographer Shaimak Dawar and was seen as a background dancer in the film Taal during the initial stage of his career.

He is a perfect choice as a judge as he will be able to gauge the contestants accurately. Shahid will be accompanied by choreographer Ganesh Hegde and filmmaker Karan Johar, who has been on the show for long.

The season will have several popular TV actors who will make a dazzling appearance. Starlet and reality show star Shamita Shetty, who was last seen in Bigg Boss 3, is all set to unleash her dancing skills. Sister of popular actress Shilpa Shetty, who had earlier won the hit British reality show celebrity Big Brother, has pulled up her socks to take audience by surprise. Starting her career with Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan starrer Mohabattein, Shamita was last seen in a Tamil film Naan Aval Adhu.

Popular TV star Vivian Dasena who took his fans by storm with popular TV series Madhubala-Ishq Ek Junoon will be unleashing his dancing talent. Confirmed to be a non-dancer, Vivian reveals that he wants to learn a few new dance forms while on the show. Deepika Samson, the famous telly bahu who is largely seen weeping in the serial Sasural Simar Ka, will shed her traditional image to dance to the hilt.

The other beautiful participants include Radhika Madan, who reprises the role of lovely Ishani in telly serial Meri Ashiqui Tum Se Hi. Kavitha Kaushik more popular as Haryanvi cop Chandramukhi Chautala will shed her stiff image to get into a feminine makeover of a dancing star.

Veteran villain Puneet Issar who was lately seen in Bigg Boss 8 will also be seen in the show.

Puneet started his career with Coolie, in which Amitabh Bachchan met with a near-fatal accident and later played Duryodhan in Ravi Chopra's epic Mahabharat. At 55, Puneet will be one of the oldest participants, who will entertain the audience with his unique dancing style.