Hindustan Times (Lucknow) - Hindustan Times (Lucknow) - Live
Nothing comes easy in life
Says dancer-judge Shakti Mohan on her visit to Lucknow
From being a contestant to judging a show is a huge change. When the producers approached, I couldn’t sleep that night. SHAKTI MOHAN, ACTOR
Contemporary dancer Shakti Mohan, who is well-known for her incredible performances in various reality dance shows, was in the state capital on Thursday.
Mohan is here to promote the upcoming season of Dance plus, which she is judging for the third time. “From being a contestant to judging a show is a huge change. When the producers approached me for the first time, I couldn’t sleep that night. I didn’t expect it to happen so early in life and it wouldn’t have been possible without the love and support of the audience.”
Although, she’s featuring in Remo D Souza’s next dance movie as a lead, she has no intentions of switching to acting. On being asked about her role in the movie she says, “I relate to the character that I am playing.”When I read the script, I thought it will be quiet easy for me to play the part. The only thing is that I don’t specialise in ballroom dancing so I will have to undergo some training for that.”
Shakti was born and educated in Delhi. Reminiscing about her earlier years, she says, “Nothing comes easy in life. Struggle is an integral part of everything. I witnessed some financial crisis in my early life. My father didn’t have a job for some time while we were in Delhi and that part of life taught us the value of little things.”
She spoke about her career choices. “After I did my postgraduation in political science, I wanted to become an IAS officer. But in my heart I knew dance was my calling,” she says. “Dreams do not come true unless you work towards them constantly. Terence sir guided me and told me to trust my heart and believe in myself. I have a very supportive family and they all readily agreed to my decision to make a career in dance”
Shakti and her team gorged on Lucknow’s street food and also did a lot of shopping. “My father has handed me a list and asked me to get chikan kurtas for him,” she says.
Saddened by less numbers of girls taking up dance as a career, she appeals to parents to support their daughters in achieving their dreams. “Parents need to have faith in their daughters and believe that they are strong,” she signs off with a smile.