Spin it like Shiamak

The acknowledged guru of modern dance in India—choreographer Shiamak Davar—has made several celebrities dance to his tune over the years.

- SHOBHAA DE

Shahid Kapoor, Varun Dhawan and Ishaan Khattar, to name a few. Shiamak burst on the scene and shook up the languid world of dance at the time audiences were content with the odd rock and roll shows, or the more elaborate musicals like Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar put together by advertising professionals dabbling in theatre.

With his contemporary choreography in the Bollywood hit Dil To Pagal Hai, Shiamak reached mass audiences, unaccustomed to top stars going way beyond the sort of dancing that was popular back then. Shiamak went on to break several rules subsequently, designing dance sequences for top international films like the fourth instalment of Mission Impossible, and gaining fame as director of choreography for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne (2006) and Delhi (2010). Brand Shiamak was recognised across India and he went on to win a National Film Award.