Discipline, passion, magic – dance is a way of life: Ravi Gohil

Ravi Gohil locked, popped and hip-hopped his way into audiences’ hearts with the song Monarita (Trisha on the Rocks) – showcasing the actor’s love for dancing, which incidentally sparked from one of B-Town’s finest actors, Hrithik Roshan. “It all started when I saw Hrithik Roshan in It’s Magic from Koi… Mil Gaya – I fell in love with dance,” shares Ravi, who’s trained in the dance forms as a child. “Those early years weren’t just about winning competitions, they taught me the real ups and downs of being an artiste,” adds the actor, as we capture him in his element for International Dance Day.



‘Hrithik’s ‘It’s Magic’ sparked my dance journey’Koi… Mil Gaya was the first film I watched in a theatre, and I remember copying Hrithik Roshan’s moves since. I started enjoying and realised my inclination towards dancing and led my class at my school annual functions. After a few years, I joined a dance class where I picked up locking and popping, followed by hip-hop and lyrical hip-hop. I began participating in professional competitions, where initially I couldn’t even crack the auditions. I realised the amount of hard work it needs, so I trained until I could win those.

‘Dance is important for Indian cinema’
I feel that if you create a catchy song with a great hook step, it can make the track a hit, which increases the chances of the film succeeding too. With social media craze, a strong 15-second hook encourages more engagement and views, keeping the song trending. Dance is very important for films, and ever since I entered the industry, I’ve dreamt of doing big dance numbers. Indian cinema is very music-driven — look at the south Indian industry or Bollywood! I believe dance should always be a part of that. It’s great to see that over the last five years, the number of dance sequences in Gujarati films has been on the rise, and I really want to see that momentum pick up.


‘Learning an art form early teaches you discipline’Learning an art form in childhood teaches you discipline. It gives you a real understanding of an artiste’s journey — the ups and the downs — which helps you later in life. When you get into dance and take part in competitions, you learn how to manage your mindset and handle the pressure. I feel that if you have practised an art form since you were young, it shapes you as a person and helps you navigate life much better.

Ravi adds, "One of the most important dance styles today is based on the tricky footwork you see in all the latest songs, and I am currently mastering that. I cannot wait for everyone to see the entertaining steps I am bringing to my next project. While my profession doesn’t leave me much time for dancing anymore, I keep the keeda alive by picking up a trending song and creating a routine of my own. If I come across as self-conscious in public places, it vanishes the minute I begin dancing. It has given me the confidence I have today in front of a crowd."



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