Shakti Mohan Shares Behind-the-Scenes Experience of Choreographing for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmaavat
Dancer and choreographer Shakti Mohan, who first gained recognition through the reality show Dance India Dance, has carved a distinct niche for herself in the entertainment industry over the years. In a recent candid interview, she revealed details about her first significant choreography opportunity with acclaimed filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali for the song 'Nainowale Ne' from the blockbuster film Padmaavat, featuring stars Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone.
Overwhelming First Opportunity with a Master Director
During her conversation with Hauterrfly, Shakti Mohan recalled feeling completely overwhelmed when she landed the project. "My first song as a choreographer was with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It was 'Nainowale Ne' from the film Padmaavat. There, I freaked out because I got the chance to work with Bhansali in my first song as a choreographer," she admitted. The magnitude of collaborating with such a revered director at the outset of her choreography career left her both excited and nervous.
Priceless Learning Experience: Refusing Payment
In a remarkable display of dedication to her craft, Shakti Mohan chose not to accept any payment for her work on the song. She explained, "I refused to be paid for that song. I told him that 'I should pay you because I'm learning from you.' It was a big deal for me. So, when he spoke about money, I said, 'Please, mat dijiye mujhe.' I will always do it for free for him because you are getting to work with such a genius." This decision underscores her view of the opportunity as an invaluable learning experience rather than a financial transaction.
Bhansali's Intense and Meticulous Work Ethic
Shakti Mohan provided insights into Sanjay Leela Bhansali's renowned strictness and attention to detail on set. "Yes, he is very strict. Even if somebody breathes around him, he will turn and give them a look. For three hours, people would just hold their breath and stand beside him. He has a vision of each and everything, and even if the light is dim on one leaf, he has to correct it. Everyone has to be very patient for that process," she described. This meticulous approach requires everyone involved to remain highly alert and focused throughout filming.
Challenges of Working with Deepika Padukone
Regarding her experience with Deepika Padukone, Shakti Mohan noted that due to the actor's hectic schedule, most of their interaction occurred directly on set without prior rehearsals. "My interaction with Deepika was directly on the set and there were no rehearsals because she was shooting all the time. We were teaching her dance steps on set," she shared. One particularly challenging sequence involved Deepika performing on a stone in the middle of a lake while holding a bow and wearing a saree. "It was so challenging. That had so many takes, but in the end, it was removed from the song, but the rest of the romantic bits were there," Shakti revealed, highlighting the unpredictable nature of film production.
Shakti Mohan's journey from a reality show contestant to a choreographer for major Bollywood projects exemplifies her growth and commitment to the art of dance. Her reflections offer a rare glimpse into the demanding yet rewarding world of working with cinematic visionaries like Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
