‘DANCE BROUGHT ME OUT OF DEPRESSION’

Dancer and choreographer Sandip Soparrkar reveals how dance helped him get through his separation “gracefully”; also talks about his theatre debut

One of the most popular Ballroom dancers and choreographers of the country, Sandip Soparrkar has worked with popular Bollywood actors, Hollywood stars as well as pop stars such as Madonna and Britney Spears.

The choreographer, who is currently busy mastering other dance forms, is also making his theatre debut. “I am very nervous about being on stage. I have been a part of dance dramas, but playing a full-fledged character on stage in front of a live audience is a different ballgame,” says Soparrkar, who is playing a dance teacher in Jannat Central, a play by Trishla Patel.

In the play, Soparrkar’s character, Shiv, is caught between his passion for dance and his daughter, who is mentally ill.

“I never wanted to act, but Trishla [an old student of Soparrkar’s] would always talk to me about theatre. One day, she narrated a script to me and I instantly connected with it. It talks about the social stigma related to mental illness and I feel it’s important to discuss it,” says Soparrkar.

Further talking about the attitude of people towards mental illness, he says, “Unfortunately, when it comes to mental problems, we still speak in hushed voices. We hope we are able to help [spread awareness], through this play,”

The choreographer, who recently separated from model Jesse Randhawa, talks about how dance helped him cope during the rough phase. He shares, “I have danced all my life. However, I realised the true importance of the medium only two years ago [when it all started]. It cured me and helped me come out [of my separation] gracefully. I was depressed and mentally hurt, and dance brought me out of it.”

Soparrkar adds that art is a medium that can change one’s life.

“We just look at any form of art as a hobby. It is just an extracurricular activity for many, and this attitude needs to change. Dance cured me during my rough phase, and I am sure it will help others too.”

Dance is just an extracurricular activity for many and this attitude needs to change. Dance cured me during my rough phase and I am sure it will help others too. SANDIP SOPARRKAR, CHOREOGRAPHER