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Got an opportunity to have a word with the Takdeer-Ki-Topi winner Shakti Mohan, the new dancing star of India. She is still overwhelmed with joy to be honored with the golden crown. Super-excited, drop-dead gorgeous, elegant, genial and warm-welcoming Shakti Mohan shared her feelings about DID, dance in general and her mentor Terence Lewis
Her mother was seated next to her during the interview. She is very proud of her daughters success. Initially I was uncertain that Shakti would win the show as the competition was very tuff between Dharmesh and Shakti. During the finale I was ninety-nine percent sure that my daughter would get the golden crown, however that one percent doubt kept hounding me. Now that she has emerged as a winner, her dad is extremely proud of Shakti. We wish all our daughters luck and lots of success in whatever they choose to do in life. They are hard working, talented, honest and very focused. They are not my daughters, they are my sons or even better. I would like to tell all the parents to encourage their children to follow their passion, their aspiration. Doesnt matter whether they are boy or girl, each one has the potential and the want to make it. Its the little extra push that is needed for the impetus to set in. Do not impose your dreams on them, says Mrs. Kusum Sharma.
Q: So Shakti how does it feel to be titled as the first girl ever to win an Indian reality show?
Shakti: Its the best feeling to be the winner of DID and knowing that the Indian audience has supported a girl, is very touching. What a paradox! Indian history says that once upon a time a girl was not even allowed to leave the four walls of her home, they were not even allowed to reveal their face in public, dance was a far cry for them. And today this same country has supported a girl and made her the dancing star. What a growth! India has surely progressed and evolved with time. Midsets have changed and if it has not for some then I would like to suggest them to move with time. It was very difficult to match up to the boys on the show as they were all excellent in stunts, acrobats, etc. Binny and me made it a point to do all the back-breaking stunts and aerial acts and whatever it takes to show that the girls are no less when it comes to anything. Apart from dancing we were also playing an important role of changing the mindset of the society. We become the force to be reckoned with on the show. Girls are always underestimated therefore my victory has proved many wrong and put them to ease.
Q: What efforts will you take to promote dance?
Shakti: Dancing has always been a part of me and will still be a part of me always. I want to take my work to an International level. Terence Sir has announced on all the media channels that he will be sending me to Vienna to study dance further especially ballet and contemporary. I am going to continue to learn dance as learning never ends. You can never say that you have reached. To promote dance I will do whatever it takes, may be conduct workshops with media or hold classes, etc. I will make these styles popular and spread the joy of dance to all.
Q: Well said Shakti! I am sure you will be successfull in spreading the joy of dance as you have many fans all around the world. Do you plan to get into acting?
Shakti: I am a dancing star and I would like to do justice to that great title. I want to take dancing to another level rather than getting into acting. People relate me to dance and I want to excell in that genere of entertainment. There is so much in dance that I need to learn. However, if I get an interesting opportunity or a great offer then I may give it a thought.
Q: It is amazing that even after the success your focus has not shifted and you want to continue to dance as dance has made you whatever you are today. Do you plan to start your own dance school?
Shakti: Not as of now. I want to still be associated with Terence Sir. He is my Guru, my mentor, my friend, my advisor and in future if he feels that I am ready to star on my own, then I will surely do that with his support and blessings.
Q: Thats right. What is the difference between Contemporary dance form and Modern dance form?
Shakti: Modern dance form is an offshoot of Ballet. Dancers and choreographer broke free from the rigidity and restrictions of ballet and began to creat movements which were free from the structure of ballet and not as strict as ballet. This gave them the freedom of movement and allowed each dancer to show their unique way of moving. Having said that, modern is still very close to ballet and the movements are still balletic in nature. Modern, later evovled into post modern and eventually into contemporary. Contemporary as the name suggests is the latest dance form and a rage all over the world especially in Europe where I will be goin to train further. Contemporary allows you to tell a story and express your feelings, to move in an organic manner and show your unique qualities. Contemporary is more of a soul dance and has no set of rules, it shows the different sides of life. Life can be harsh, dark or full or happiness. That is expressed through contemporary.
Q: Do you plan to go back to the Terence Lewis Contemporary Dance company?
Shakti: No. I mean I would love to be a part of the course that I was doing and I would love to be associated with Terence Sir but currently I am working with Zee and it all depends upon Zee. I will continue to take advise from Terence Sir as long as he is around and I know then he is there for me always.
Q: Who is your favorite dancer in Bollywood and Hollywood?
Shakti: I love Madhuri Dixit. She is the best in Bollywood. I had done a Madhuri Dixit number on the show. I hope I did justice to it. In Hollywood I love many dancers from So you think you can dance but commercially its Beyonce. She is sizzling hot.
Q: How does it feel that your sister Mukti is following your footsteps by doing a dance reality show Zara Nachke Dikha on star plus?
Shakti: I dont think Mukti is following my footsteps. She is doing what her heart tells her. She want to become an actor eventually and has done many commercials before. She has not received the dance course that I got but she is trained in Bharat Natyam and has taken few classes in Jazz. She is very gifted and I am sure she will make us all proud.
Q: I am sure she will come out with flying colors and we wish her luck and success too. What are your future plans?
Shakti: Havent thought about it yet. Let me come out of this victory celebration mode. Let me calm down. Right now I am head over heels with happiness as you can see I cant stop smiling. I am having discussions with my family about my future. I have to still decide what I want to do. Right now I am unsure. This whole week I am going to party and from next week my ballet lessons will start. Also I will be catching up with some sulking friends. (She just couldnt stop smiling)
Q: Message to your fans.
Shakti: Thank you! Thank you so much for loving me and supporting DID. You have made me the winner and you have made dancers so big in India. It was a wonderful journey for the whole DID team. I will continue to entertain you and win your hearts.
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