Dance has been a childhood passion: Shraddha Kapoor on International Dance Day

As early as two or three years of age, all it needed was her parents to put on some music, and Shraddha Kapoor would get up to shake a leg. “My earliest memories while growing up — I mean, as early as I can remember being on my feet — are of dancing. Dance has been a passion of mine since then,” she recalls. Although she did indulge in short stints of training for various forms, the Stree actress never ended up learning it formally. 

“In school, as part of the curriculum, and like any other kid, I did a bit of whatever dance was required of us. So, I learnt a bit of Kathak.  Then I joined Shiamak Davar’s and Ashley Lobo’s classes for extremely short spans of time. At Boston University, I was a part of the college dance group called Chankaar and there are many precious memories of the same,” she adds.

However, it was when she was cast in Remo D’Souza’s ABCD 2 (2015) that Shraddha got an extensive opportunity to explore dance. “There were so many styles that we learnt a bit of — locking, popping, whacking, krumping and house, to name a few,” she tells us. 

The actress, who is currently filming Street Dancer with Varun Dhawan, reveals that these forms are being re-explored in this movie as well. “It’s been super-challenging, especially because one needs a lot of practice, years and skill development to be able to dance really well. It is a lot of hard work,” she admits.

Right from Dance Basanti in Ungli (2014) to Milegi Milegi in Stree (2018), Shraddha has been a part of some of the most popular dance numbers. Not to forget, she has matched steps with some of the best in B-Town, including Tiger Shroff and Varun. 

Remember Cham Cham in Baaghi (2016) and Sun Saathiya and Bezubaan Phir Se in ABCD 2? “Whatever love and appreciation I’ve received, I’d attribute it to the little bit of dancing I did while growing up and to Remo sir as well as his team that focussed on me during the prep of ABCD 2 and now, Street Dancer,” she adds. 

Shraddha, who counts Hrithik Roshan, Shahid Kapoor, Varun and Tiger among the best dancers in the industry today, says that while she has become better at her skills, she is never satisfied with herself and wants to keep improving. “I make sure that I enjoy everything that I do, because that is the only way to do anything you love,” she signs off.