Song and dance is an integral part of Hindi films. Indian cinema is probably one of the only film industries in the world that has actors lip-syncing and dancing to pre-recorded songs. The viewers have enjoyed it for decades and continue to do so, even though there are films which are breaking the pattern and moving away from the traditional approach. Various actors and actresses featuring in films with no song and dance have impressed the audience with their ability to emote and act on screen. But you will be surprised to know as to how many of them are well trained dancers.
On the occasion of International Dance Day, here are 10 actors that you will be surprised to know are are well trained dancers:
1. Richa Chadha
Richa Chadha is well known for her powerful performances. She’s usually not seen as the commercial heroine who performs on dance numbers. However, Richa is a trained dancer. She is trained in Kathak, and has also learnt Street Jazz from Ashley Lobo’s Danceworx. Richa will be seen in the role of a dancer in her upcoming film, Cabaret.
2. Radhika Apte
Radhika’s performances have been highly applauded whether it is in films or the web videos she does. But the audience still hasn’t seen her do the song and dance routine. Radhika received her training in contemporary dance from London. She is also trained in Kathak.
3. Patralekha
Patralekha is just two films old but her debut performance in Citylights made everybody notice the rising star. She is a trained Bharatnatyam dancer too.
4. Sayani Gupta
Sayani Gupta made her debut in Kalki Koechlin starrer Margarita, with a Straw and was instantly liked by viewers. She was recently seen as SRK’s close aide in his recent film, Fan. Sayani will be seen in a few other films this year and we hope we get to see her dancing talent as she is a trained Kathak dancer. She has learnt it for 14 years.
5. Vikrant Massey
Vikrant Massey was a popular face on television. And when he appeared in Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha starrer Lootera, viewers took notice of his talent. He was last seen in Dil Dhadakne Do. But we are yet to see him shake a leg because turns out, this guy is a great dancer too. He is a trained ballet dancer and has also worked with Shiamak Davar.
6. Lisa Haydon
We saw Lisa Haydon dancing on the hit number, Manali Trance, from the film The Shaukeens. Well, it wasn’t really a song where she displayed all her dancing talent. You’ll be surprised to know that Lisa is a trained Bharatnatyam dancer and has trained with Shiamak Davar for five years.
7. Shweta Tripathi
Shweta Tripathi has done a lot of TV commercials but she shot to fame with her role in the film, Masaan. Shweta has not had a chance to display her dancing talent yet but this girl is a trained Bharatnatyam and Kathak dancer. She has also learnt dancing at Shiamak Davar’s dance institute.
8. Rajkummar Rao
A real surprise package in the list, Rajkummar Rao is a formally trained dancer too! Rao is well known for his impactful roles in films like Shahid and Citylights. He has stayed away from the commercial hero space and probably that is why we have not seen him in any promotional videos as well. Rajkummar Rao was highly inclined towards learning dance from a very early age. He has received training in dance as well as martial arts.
9. Vicky Kaushal
Vicky Kaushal left his audience in awe with his acting skills in the film, Masaan. Though his talent in acting was seen and appreciated by all, not many people know that Vicky is a trained dancer too.
10. Sandhya Mridul
Sandhya Mridul is well known for her acting in films like Page 3 and Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. The audience also saw Sandhya’s amazing dancing skills in the second season of dance reality show, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, where she was the runner-up. But not many know that Sandhya is a well trained Bharatnatyam dancer too.
Keep dancing, Bollywood!
