Choreographers now getting respect in B-Town: Shakti Mohan

Popular contemporary dancer Shakti Mohan feels great that today choreographers are getting respect and acclaim in the film industry.
"Today choreographers are getting the respect and acclaim they never got maybe 15 years ago which is a good sign. All the Bollywood choreographers are so talented and inspiring. I am learning a lot just by observing their work," Shakti told PTI.
However, she also feels that dance as an art form is not being utilised to the fullest in Bollywood.
"Dance is more like a support act to make the musical score sound fabulous. I would like to see actors and actresses dancing to just plain beats," she said.

Shakti, who had a brief appearance in the title song of Farah Khan's "Tees Maar Khan", also featured in a song in Akshay Kumar-starrer "Rowdy Rathore". She also co-assisted noted choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant for "Kamli" song in Aamir Khan starrer "Dhoom 3".
From being a contestant on dance reality show "Dance India Dance" to being a mentor on "Dance Plus 2", a dance reality show, Shakti has come a long way.

The 30-year-old dancer feels none of the tasks-- being a contestant as well a judge, are not easy.
"I always see a part of me in the contestants. I started off as a contestant and I realise that it's not easy being scrutinised by experts. And when you are a judge you need to ensure you are judging fair. Both require a lot of hard work and commitment," she said.

For Shakti, promoting dance matters more than being a contestant or judge.
"My journey has not been a bed of roses. I have put in my 110 per cent to get where I am today as I don't belong to a family that is an integral part of the entertainment business. I have fallen, I have learnt and I have progressed...And still there is lots more to learn," she adds.
Being a mentor on "Dance Plus 2" Shakti makes sure she is not biased and tries to bring out the best from the contestants.
"There is a sense of responsibility and an eye for aesthetics. I look for that earnest yearning in talent, you may not be the best at what you do, but if you have the passion you can at some point become your own inspiration," she added.

Apart from Shakti, "Dance Plus 2" also features Dharmesh Yelande and Punit Pathak as mentors. The Star Plus show features ace choreographer-filmmaker Remo D'souza as super judge.