Kumartuli boy Shantanu Maheshwari who started off as the heart-throb Swayam on the Channel V show Dil Dostii Dance (D3) and went on to become an ace dancer has completed six years in the industry. t2 chats up Shantanu on his 6-sensational years on TV...
6 best memories from Dil Dostii Dance...
6 is quite a small number actually, to sum up all the memories from D3! The first would be the first time I got selected for D3. It was via IndiaFest in Goa and happened quite suddenly and spontaneously… that will always be special! Second, the first dance rehearsal act Mace (Macedon Dmello, Shantanu’s dance buddy) and I got to do the choreography for… we got the chance to put together an awesome routine which was great fun. Then the first group girls vs boys fusion song dance, which was so much fun! I will also pick the first time D3 was nominated for best show by the viewers at ITA (Indian Television Academy Awards), which also happened to be my very first invite to an awards function. Last but not the least, when Vrushika (Mehta, his D3 co-star) and I were nominated at ITA for the ‘viewers choice onscreen couple’ award!
6 closest friends in the industry...
My entire D3 gang will always be like family to me. It’s more than six people! Then Amit Verma, Indraneil and Barkha Sengupta, Shakti Arora, Anita Hassanandani and (her husband) Rohit and my Girls on Top co-actor Arjun Singh.
6am friend in the industry...
Nimit (Kotian), Mace, Palki Ma’am (Malhotra) and Samentha Fernandes from D3 are my 6am friends! They are people I can approach anytime, through my ups and downs. I know that we will always be there for each other.
6 things the world doesn’t know about Shantanu Maheshwari...
I am a sensitive person. Also, quite emotional. A lot of adventure sports are on on my bucket list. There was also a time, during my schooldays, when my parents would not allow me to play any sport to avoid any injury that could affect my dancing.... And I just don’t have it in me to click my own photos…. And I love buying different types of shoes.
6 gifts you want to buy yourself for completing six years in the industry...
A house definitely! Our own house in Mumbai for my family. A personal dance studio for my dance rehearsals. My own platform where I can create exclusive and interesting youth-centric content. My very own dance academy some day!
A badminton court as I love the game, and a big international-style gymnasium.
6 actors you want to work with...
Ronit Roy, Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar, Kay Kay Menon, Dhanush and Prabhudheva Sir. All amazing and quality-driven film actors, whom I would really love to work with some day given a chance.
6 things you wish you could eat all the time...
Rosogolla, Muri, Phuchka, Vada Pav, ice cream and samosa.
6 words that describe you best...
I am somewhat of an introvert. Quite a reserved person, yes! It does take me time to open up to people. Passionate is how I will describe myself… about all things I work on. Honest is what I always aim to be. Attentive yes, and committed to everything I take up.
6 occasions when you felt proud of yourself...
Training in acting and dancing with some of the best people around. Everything about D3! Winning the World of Dance championship in 2015. Being a special performer on America’s Got Talent. Becoming a Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa finalist… and something special which I had gifted my parents a few years ago but don’t want to reveal.
6 things you miss about Calcutta...
The food, my friends, my school (The Park English School), walking around the streets, shopping, the Ambassador cars and home!
6 things you want the world to remember you for...
My dance and acting, my screen characters, the Desi Hoppers (his dance troupe) crew…. I can’t think of anything more, so would love to hear it from you all!
Priyanka Roy
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