From Dhol Baaje (for which she won her first National Award) to Dil Bole Hadippa, choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant has choreographed her own success in Bollywood
From Dhol Baaje (for which she won her first National Award) to Dil Bole Hadippa, choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant has choreographed her own success in Bollywood. Busy with her upcoming filmsu00a0- Crooked, No Problem and a Yashraj Venture...u00a0 the dance director discusses her moves with CS: 
WHO: Vaibhavi Merchantu00a0
WHAT: On how dancing completes her
WHERE: At her residence in Dadar
Dance to me is....
Every dancer has a certain body language that speaks about her personality. I feel that dancing balances me out as a personu00a0- physically, mentally and emotionally. I use dancing to show my joy, pain or frustration. As a dancer, I'm constantly testing my limits and tapping my latent potential. While dancing, I also go into a meditative state of mind that heals me inside out. It disconnects me from the mundane and takes me into a different world.u00a0
My training...
I have had extensive training in Bharat Natyam and Kathak forms. My teachers, late Madhurita Sarangji and Rohinton Cama, were both very strict, yet loving. In fact, I used to be at my dance classes from 9 am to 5 pm. Cama sir would make us stand in one posture for 15-20 minutes! But this discipline made me a pro at performing for theatre.
At one point, I wanted to become a classical dancer, but I was a little confused as I wasn't a purist in the exact sense of the term. I loved Bollywood dances. After I finished my studies, I had the option of becoming a classical dancer or joining my dad's business, but my grandmother suggested that I try choreography. So, one day I went with my uncle Chinni Prakash to the sets, he was doing the song Ruk Ruk Ruk. The cameras, action and excitement totally hooked me and there was no looking back.u00a0
Celebrity dancers...
Many of the actors and actresses in Bollywood are non-dancers. I have to really slog to make them look good on-screen, as I feel that I have failed if I can't make someone dance. By now, most of them know that there's no shortcut with me. I feel that Salman Khan is a very clever dancer, he manages to disguise his limited moves effectively. And so are Aamir and Shah Rukh Khan. In fact, Shah Rukh is so energetic that he can dance with only his eyes. As far as technicalities are concerned, Hrithik Roshan and Shahid Kapoor are superb to work with. I feel that Shahid was brilliant in the Dil Bole Hadippa track.
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