Pic by Vishal Saxena

It’s been a long, arduous journey for me from a small town to a big city like Mumbai. But what a ride! Becoming a dancer was the only thing that I wanted to do — ever since I can remember. And my guru was Michael Jackson. I’m largely self-taught and as a child my only guide was the King of Pop and his videos.

Following my dreams as a 19-year-old all the way from my hometown, Jamnagar, in Gujarat, to Mumbai was the first major turning point in my life. Needless to say that it was a huge struggle. There was a time when I was so broke that I didn’t even have money to pay the rent. So, once when it was time to pay up I told my landlord that I would be out of town for a few days. For two days, I stayed at Bandra station till I managed to arrange for the money. But all this has only made me stronger and more resilient. Whenever I’m going through a rough patch, I just look back and find strength.

Though my first break as a dancer was in Rangeela, what put me in the limelight was bagging the choreographer’s job for the music video for the Sonu Nigam number, Deewana. And Kaante was my first film that made it big.

Dance has been my passion but my other major interest is direction. My first film as director, Lal Paharer Katha (in Bengali), starring Mithun Chakraborty will release next month. My next venture, a Hindi comedy/drama, called Faltu will go on the floors by the end of this month. I hope to keep doing the best I can with both dance and direction in the future.

(As told to Angona Paul)