Exclusive: I would clean plates at pani puri stalls during the day and perform Lavani in the evening to earn money for survival: Male Lavani performer Shubham Borade

Shubham Borade, a male Lavani performer who shot to fame with the Dholkichya Talavar TV show, has had a remarkable journey from beginnings to the spotlight. In an exclusive interview with ETimes TV, Shubham made some shocking revelations about his struggle for survival and how he decided to become a male Lavani performer. He also candidly revealed in the interview that during the day, he used to clean plates at pani puri stalls like his mother, who still works as a maid in many houses. Shubham has stepped into the vibrant world of Lavani dance, captivating audiences with his graceful moves and expressive performances. His dedication and talent have not only ensured his survival but have also thrust him into the limelight.

- Interview by Vaishnavi Gavankar

When asked about the family background, Shubham said, "My mother and father separated when I was a child. Something happened between them, and my mother decided to take me with her to Nagpur. We had no money, so we decided to work together for survival. We started accepting any work that would come our way. My mother still works as an assistant, and she goes to many houses to wash plates and clothes. I would also help her many times."

While narrating his survival journey before Dholkichya Talavar, Shubham got emotional and said, "I would wash plates at pani puri stalls during the day. I used to do the cleaning work as well. I had immense admiration for Lavani since childhood, so I decided to do something about it. I was struggling financially, so I decided to do shows as a Lavani performer in the evening. During the day I would wash plates, and after that I would visit many shows in villages around Maharashtra for Lavani."

I got to know about the show Dholkichya Talavar recently, and I decided to participate in it. Later, I got to know that it is only for women Lavani performers because the tagline of the show is related to 'Lavani Samradni'. Still, I decided to go for auditions and got selected. It was a very emotional moment for me.

When asked about how much time Shubham takes to get ready before performing Lavani on stage, he revealed, "I get ready in 2.5 to 3 hours. I wear the saree, makeup, and hair, and everything takes time. It feels so good whenever, each and every time, I get ready in front of the mirror and transform myself as a woman."

"Acceptance as a male Lavani performer is a huge challenge. But I feel that whenever I get ready, people even forget that I am a male and that my name is Shubham. I think that's the beauty of Lavani and its culture."

Shubham further spoke about his dream to lift the trophy of the show; he said, "I have struggled so much in my life. I can't believe that the profession I started for survival is now giving me fame. I think I have done enough to do justice to Lavani and my performance, and that is why I think I deserve to lift the trophy."

- Interview by Vaishnavi Gavankar