Having danced alongside some well known celebrities, 25 year old dancer Sahil Mayenkar now has his eyes set on making it big as an actor. The Goan caught up with the youngster
Sahil Mayenkar has been showing off his dance moves ever since he can remember. “ My teachers used to say I dance even when I walk,” chuckles the 25 year old youngster.
A choreographer and dancer in the Bollywood industry today, Mayenkar states that he was encouraged by his family to pursue his love for dance further after they observed his keen interest in the art form. “ They pushed me to dance at parties and school events. My mum herself being a good dancer used to be my choreographer. I also used to watch my uncle do some Michael Jackson moves and try and copy them. And not to forget, watching Govinda dance also inspired me,” he says. Govinda? Really? “Well not his dancing so much as his songs and not to forget his expressions,” he says laughing.
Mayenkar was then enrolled for Shiamak Davars dance class which is where his dancing dream really took off, he states.
“ I was awarded the best dancer among 150+ students which really boosted my confidence. In a few years time, I was handling classes and shows myself,” he says. One such choreography for a wedding sangeet led to a recommendation to Geeta Kapur's class and Mayenkar shifted base to Mumbai.
“ I attended many rehearsals with different choreographers where I used to just stand in the corner and learn. It took me 8 months to get my 1st show, but the struggle continued,” he recalls. After training under Danny Kunjan Savio, he began freelancing and got the chance to work with many industrial choreographers including Ganesh Hegde and Terence Lewis. “All the choreographers in the industry have their own unique style.. So it's always a different experience working at different places and I have learnt to adapt to different dance styles, discipline and stage knowledge,” he says.
All the training also led to his gradual advancement in the dance arena. “From being a corner dancer I slowly started moving in and eventually started performing behind the dancers which is known as the main position to dance in as a dancer,” he says. After becoming an assistant choreographer, Mayenkar also got a well deserved chance to choreograph for Nach Baliye 5 for Kushal and Elena. Almost ten years of professional dancing so far and Mayenkar has already had the opportunity of dancing alongside big names like Hrithik Roshan, Shahid Kapur, Ranbir Kapoor, Salman Khan etc.
His most memorable however was performing with King Khan ( Shah Rukh Khan). “ The first time I performed with him, I just kept observing him. Even when the other dancers had gone on a break I just sat there unable to believe that I was really there in the moment,” he reveals.
Mayenkar is currently all set to tour to London to perform a musical show choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant starting from this May end. “It's a Bollywood musical which is said to be based on the real story of Merchant family . It's a very energetic show and one of the best show I have been a part of . We'll be touring and performing in London for 22 days and I am eagerly looking forward it,” he says.
Apart from dancing, Mayenkar had also completed his MBA in Media and Entertainment and now wants to give acting a shot. “ I always wanted to be an actor. I've done by training in acting from Neeraj Kabi and featured in a few ads, the recent one being with Sushant Singh Rajput for the Indian Premiere League. I've finished shooting for a thriller short film which is now undergoing post production,” he informs. But all those acting dreams doesn't mean, dancing will take a backseat, says Mayenkar. “ I'll continue my dancing career but will keep trying to get into acting as well. I surely plan to make it big.”
