Crossover Careers: From Background Dancers To Bollywood Superstars

Shahid Kapoor

The very first career of Shahid Kapoor is a kid model. He has been spotted in a TV commercial of Complan together with Ayesha Takia. By participating in Shiamak Davar Dance Academy, Shahid Kapoor had a background performance behind Karisma Kapoor in Mujhko hui na Khabar a theme song from the movie Dil To Pagal Hai in 1997. After appearing in Taal (1999), he got an opportunity to show his performance and acting ability in the romance movie named Ishq Vishk in 2003; he starred as Rajiv Mathur. Since then, the audience has never seen him dance in any background.

Sushant Singh Rajput

Another Bollywood superstar comes from the Shiamak Davar Dance Academy, Sushant Singh Rajput was mainly seen in a variety of events like Filmfare Awards, 2006 IIFA Ceremony - where he danced behind the star Hrithik Roshan and Commonwealth Games competition. His debut role was Ishaan Bhatt in Kai Po Che! (2013); since his feature in PK, Sushant Singh Rajput was played as the main character in MS Dhoni: The Untold Story and Raabta.

Dia Mirza

Before winning the title as Miss Asia Pacific in 2000, Dia Mirza had a period when she was dancing in En Swasa Kaatre (1999) - she danced in the scene of the song Jumbalakka. 1 year after she achieved that prestigious title, Dia Mirza starred in Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein. This is her debut role in Bollywood. The latest film that the star featured in is Sanju (2018).

Remo D’Souza

In 1997, in the movie Pardes, Remo D’Souza was spotted in the sequence for Zara tasveer se tu behind the performance of the star Shah Rukh Khan. Additionally, the audience could see him the movie Aflatoon as well. After changing from a background dancer to choreography, Remo D’Souza became a filmmaker in 2011 with his debut movie which is F.A.L.T.U. There are some movies directed by Remo D’Souza, including AnyBody Can Dance (2003), Flying Jatt (2016), and Race 3 (2018).

Saroj Khan

In the 1950s, Saroj Khan participated in several song sequences of movies, like Howrah Bridge (1958), as a backup dancer. At that time, she was 10 and performed in a pose of a boy. After switching to choreography, she was in charge of directing dance sequence of many big stars; including the dance sequences in Nagina (1986) with Sridevi starred, in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) with the participation of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, and in Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015) with Kangana Ranaut.