Ask ANY figure-flaunting lass to get into a Western outfit and she’d, nine to one, jump to it… particularly, if she’s to be on camera. But not Prachi Shah.
This girl is shy, hooked to acting and prefers the ethnic look. She’s not for Western outfits. Having done pretty well for herself in select roles in hit serials like ‘Kyonki Saas Bhi Kabhi…’, ‘Piya Ka Ghar’ and ‘Kahin Diya jale kahin jiya’, Shah’s shy and cute still.
What many don’t know is that she’s an exponent of kathak and very good at that. Only recently, she earned the ‘alankar’ for her contribution to kathak. Also recently, she wowed Lucknowites with her scintillating performance. Shah has been learning the kathak since she was barely three-and-a-half.
When asked how maintained the balance between her shooting schedules and dance practice, she replied with her never-failing gentle smile: I never do late night shoots, specially after six pm and my Guruji Shri Ganesh Hiralal, who is the seventh living personality of the renowned Hiralal clan, never fails to make me complete my rigorous riyaz session.”
Not for Prachi the pin-up image. For her, it’s the homely image that matters. She explains, “Of course, I wear shorts and jeans but not at public places and that too, very seldom. You would never see me in these outfits while shopping!”
“Almost all the big stars are my family friends and offers to do shows like ‘Nach Baliye’ or ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Ja’ are a aplenty for me, but I wish to do some serious dance oriented shows in place of filmy stuff. Sometimes even my father asks me to accept such offers but then, my conscience does not allow me. I am already in talks with Gajendra Sngh, the producer of Sa-Re-Ga-Ma-Pa but then, a lot of things are to be streamlined and looked into. I have not lost hope that some day the viewers will see a real dance show!”
{{/usCountry}}“Almost all the big stars are my family friends and offers to do shows like ‘Nach Baliye’ or ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Ja’ are a aplenty for me, but I wish to do some serious dance oriented shows in place of filmy stuff. Sometimes even my father asks me to accept such offers but then, my conscience does not allow me. I am already in talks with Gajendra Sngh, the producer of Sa-Re-Ga-Ma-Pa but then, a lot of things are to be streamlined and looked into. I have not lost hope that some day the viewers will see a real dance show!”
{{/usCountry}}What is she after? Money of fame? She is quick to answer: “I only wish to live up the present in the best way because this is what is going to be the past after just a moment”.
She also says, “I believe that learning is a very slow process and I am still a learner. As far as teaching is concerned, I believe in taking serious and committed students those who are for the sake of art and not for the sake of money. Presently, I am teaching a four-year-little fairy who is my only disciple and I see another Prachi Shah in her”.
Simple, straightforward and talented, that’s Prachi the person and danseuse for you.