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India's newest dancing star -- Shakti?
After 17 weeks of intense competition and great entertainment, season 2 of dance reality show, Lux Dance India Dance is about to come to a close.
Dharmesh Yelande, Shakti Mohan, Punit Pathak and Binny Sharma will have to battle it out for the Taqdeer Ki Topi title. The finale of the show goes live tonight at 8pm on Zee TV.
The show is choreographed by Terence Lewis, Remo D Souza and Geeta Kapur while actor, Mithun Chakraborty is the grandmaster of the show.
Here's a closer look at the future winner:
Punit Pathak, 23
Team: Remo Ke Rangeele
Place: Mumbai
Dancing Style: Contemporary, hip hop, salsa, Bollywood, basic of jazz and ballet and ballroom dancing.
Punit was working as a teacher at Terrence Lewis' Dance Academy. Before that he worked as an assistant director in a production house.
According to Punit, Dance India Dance is a life changing experience because it gave him focus after his film failed to take off. Mithun Da calls him 'Lady Killer' while Remo calls him his 'Star'.
What kind of preparation are you doing for the finale?
I have always done something different whenever I am on stage. Viewers will definitely see something grand on the finale. I have lost count of the number of hours I haven't slept. I am putting in a lot of hard work for the finale.
Who is your toughest competitor?
I'm my biggest competitor. The moment you start competing with others you lose focus.
Why do you think you deserve to win the title?
Dance India equals versatility and I have proven that in all my performances, be it solo or duet. So I think I have all the qualities to win he title.
Which was your most memorable moment?
I was the first one to get MJ band (Michael Jackson's band) from Remo sir. The second one would be when I performed a tribute to Sachin Tendulkar's life.
You look so much like Terence Lewis.
Yes. It's a strange coincidence. Once I walked into the academy and everyone thought Terence sir had come in. They got up and wished me, 'Good Morning sir'.
What do you think of you mentor?
I have had a blast at Remo sir's place. He is a sweetheart. I don't know why they call him Gabbar. He would scream only when assignments were not delivered.
What are your future plans?
I have been getting acting offers but they are not my priority. I was missing dancing and this is like a come back for me. I want to follow Remo sir. I want to become a choreographer and eventually a film maker.
Shakti Mohan, 24
Team: Terence Ki Toli
Place: Mumbai
My Dancing Style: Contemporary
Shakti learnt professional dancing with Terrence Lewis at his dance classes. Now, she is teaching what she learnt at the academy.
What kind of preparation are you doing for the finale?
I am quite set for the finale. Master Terence is doing all the preparation for my solo performance. I am looking forward to the show.
Who is your toughest competitor?
We have spent 15 weeks rehearsing and competing against each other. All of us are good dancers and have become good friends. Who ever wins we will be happy for the other. Top 18 of us are going for a holiday together. I am looking forward to that.
Why do you think that you should win the title?
There cannot be a better stage than this for a dancer like me. If you have followed the show, you will come to know that out of 15 weeks, I have been awarded the best performer award seven times. I want to be a role model for future DID contestants. I guess I have all the qualities to be the winner.
Which was your most memorable moment?
I had to perform a wall act duet with Parveez. Amitabh Bachchan was the guest on that particular day. I was little hassled and nervous because I had to perform in front of the superstar. I saw tears in his eyes after I finished my performance. I was really moved by his reaction.
How was your experience?
It was a mind blowing experience because I learnt different forms of dance which was something new for me. My toughest performance would be popping (a kind of dance form). It was really tough because I was doing it for the first time but I mange to pull it off.
What do you think of your mentor?
Once, Terrence sir put me in embarrassing situation. He teamed me with another team mate for a romantic dance. He sent us on a date and even locked us in a room! But we got the act right and eventually he made me realise that I could pull of acting as well as dancing.
What are your future plans?
I haven't decided yet. At the moment, I am thinking only about my performance in the finale. I have enrolled for ballet classes, which will start from next month. I also want to go abroad to learn more dance forms.
Dharmesh Yelande , 27
Team: Geeta Ki Gang
Place: Baroda
Dancing Style: Hip hop, Bollywood freestyle, semi classical and folk dancing.
Dharmesh emerged as one of the strongest contestants on the show from Geeta Kapoor's team. He runs a dance academy in Baroda. He and most of his students auditioned for the contest and made it to the top 100 list.
What kind of preparation are you doing for the finale?
All of us are working hard to make the finale better than the last season. I have hardly slept. Now it's just eat, drink and breathe dance till the finale.
Who is your toughest competititor among the finalists?
I followed the first season religiously. I was hoping that I would get selected in the second season. I am glad that I am in top four; this itself is the biggest achievement for me. All four of us are friends. I never felt even once that we were competing with each other. May the best one win the Topi.
Why do you think that you should win the title?
Dance India Dance is a platform for true talent where there is a challenge at every step. Every week I have tried doing something new. Even in the finale, my performance is going to be unique. I have done the most dangerous stunts in the show, which was really scary. For example, it was very difficult to dance wearing a costume that weight 50 kilos (Kerala dance). I performed with a harness and a tube light. So I think I deserve to win the title.
Which was your most memorable moment?
Amitabh Bachchan saluted my harness performance when he had come on the show as a guest.
What do you think of your mentor?
Geeta Ma is loving and caring. She would always take care of our health.
What are your future plans?
I would like to work with Remo D Douza, Terrance Lewis and Geeta Kapoor.
Binny Bishan Sharma, 22
Team: Geeta Ki Gang
Place: Ahmedabad
Dancing Style: Freestyles, hip hop, semi classical, locking and popping and B boying.
Binny is from Punjab and had no formal dance training before entering the show. She is one of the two finalists who belong to Geeta Kapoor's team.
What kind of preparation are you doing for the finale?
It's really going well. I'm working very hard. This is the last chance to entertain and prove my skills. I am going to do an aerial dance for the finale.
Who is your toughest competitor?
We all are friends so the spirit of competition is healthy. We're all working hard to win the title.
Why do you think that you should win the title?
Dance India Dance is a dream come true for me. I am not a trained dancer but I wanted to be a successful dancer. I learnt different forms of dance and stunts. Not a single performance was repetitive. I did maximum aerial performance among the females; even the boys would come and compliment me. I want people to remember me for my performance.
How was your experience?
It has been a rocking experience. It was a tough journey but I have grown as a dancer. I have learnt different forms of dance. I have come to know my potential and the flaws.
Which was your memorable moment?
First one would be when I got selected in the Top 18, it made my parents proud. Second is when I did my first aerial performance.
What do you think of your mentor?
I didn't know how to perform an aerial act. Geeta Ma was careful about the steps she would give me. She was more scared than me during the acts. If I was unwell, she would ensure that I was well looked after.
What are you future plans?
I am looking to work on more dances and choreography. Plus, I want to get into acting because I have been told by Geeta Ma to take acting lessons seriously.