Twinkling eyes and flying hair captured the audience on Strictly Come Dancing this week, but it was more than just a charming routine from doctor Punam Krishan. Her electrifying Bollywood routine marked the first time in the show’s 20-year history and left one judge tearful and sparked a great cultural celebration.

While Strictly has followed largely the same old and trusted melodies this series, except for a very minor storm over footballer Paul Merson’s “Vindaloo” dance, Saturday night was a very welcome excursion. Paired with the ever-bouncy Gorka Márquez, Dr Krishan, favorite TV medic to millions, delivered what essentially spoke to her very heart. The flavor of the routine was a lively tribute to her South Asian cultural roots, and the result was evident.

Judge Motsi Mabuse couldn’t hold it in as she showered the absolutely breathtaking dance with extravagant praise. “That really got to me,” she said, wiping away a tear. “I know I’m not the only one out there thinking many, many viewers are seeing you right now and they are enormously proud to watch this on Strictly Come Dancing.”

Her voice overflowing with emotions, Mabuse continued, “The storytelling, the energy, the sheer joy radiating from you-it was simply fabulous. Seeing you like that, Punam, was really special. Keep coming out with all this energy, and you’ll be unstoppable in the coming weeks!”

For this particular moment in history, I chose the song “Bole Chudiyan” for the classic Bollywood movie “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham,” that also remains one of the milestones in the Indian film industry. The upbeat so relatable song, known for its very catchy tempo and celebratory mood, captured the best from Krishan’s performance.

It wasn’t a dance routine in the usual, banal sense; it was a statement of cultural identity. Krishan’s performance had already left everyone from the judges to viewers in awe, and this was definitely not the spirit of competition. It brought strongly to one’s mind the beauty and diversity that dance can encompass.

There has been a buzz on the social media platform ever since she performed. The show was all in praise by her fans; many of them went on to say that they felt thrilled to see Bollywood on such a prestigious forum. This was not only a stunning display of Dr Krishan’s dancing skill but a strong statement of inclusion.

With this history-making performance, Dr. Punam Krishan proved to be Strictly Come Dancing’s first doctor in history, opening the door for even more diversified dance styles to be added to the show. Indeed, it is a testimony to the ability of dance to unify at the same time as bringing to light constantly changing landscapes within entertainment culture.