Shakti Mohan, one of the three mentors of upcoming Star Plus show Dance + season 3, feels the biggest challenge their protégés has is to face up to judge Remo Fernandes’s squad of trained international dancers .
“When our boys and girls go out to face these world winners, they will be representing not only us but the entire nation. So we need to put our best foot forward,” says the nimble footed diva.
So what makes Dance + stand out among motley number of dance shows? “We only allow fresh innovative dancers, if you take a look at our audition rounds, you will understand what we are stating. We don’t give space to those who get inspired or copy others. It is no mean task to master a new style. Many a times we feel inadequate when we have to judge such great performances.”
Shakti personally likes trained classical dance, be it desi or western. “I too have learnt Bharat Natyam and ballet etc for it gives you variety and much more scope to give wind to you creativity when you later turn a choreographer. But today, most youngsters opt for hip hop form which allows them to do as they please. So I guess it’s okay as well.”
Here, Shakti credits the reality show genre for allowing back dancers like her to shine in life. “The entire performing arts genre has got a fillip with dance schools mushrooming everywhere. Talented choreographers get space to really push the envelope and last but not the least level of Bollywood dance steps have gone up by leaps and bounds,” says this former Dance India Dance winner.
In closing, she has one piece of advice to budding dancers. “If you have a plan B apart from dance, it is better to stick to the former. A real dancer is someone who devotes everything to art. You need to be ready for the long haul as well as even at my level I have to wait for shows for month at ends.”
We wish her all the luck and success.
