Latest news with #VaibhaviMerchant
News18
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Vaibhavi Merchant Thanks Karan Johar After Winning National Award: ‘Man Who Made It Possible'
Vaibhavi Merchant was honoured for her work in Dhindhora Baje Re, a song from Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh's rom-com Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. Vaibhavi Merchant, the choreographer behind Bollywood hits like Kajra Re, Crazy Kiya Re, Aaja Nachle and Kamli, just added another feather to her cap. She won her second National Film Award for Best Choreography in the 71st edition of the prestigious ceremony. She was honoured for her work in Dhindhora Baje Re, a song from Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh's rom-com Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. Following her win, the notable choreographer shared a note on her Instagram account on Sunday, August 3, expressing her gratitude for being bestowed with another National Film Award. She won her first one in 2000 for the song Dholi Taaro Dhol Baaje from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. 'Today is an extremely special day. As an artist, there is no greater honour than being recognised by the government – when they value and celebrate your art. To receive the National Award for Dhindora Baje Re, 25 years after Dholi Taro Dhol Baaje, I am truly overwhelmed and beyond words," she wrote at the beginning of her post. Vaibhavi Merchant Thanked Karan Johar For Making Her A Part Of RRKPK In her note, Vaibhavi thanked the Chairperson of the jury, filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, the other respected members, and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for 'considering her worthy of this recognition." Then, she went on to express her gratitude to RRKPK's director, Karan Johar, for giving her the chance to choreograph the song. She said, 'My heartfelt gratitude to the man who made it all possible, Karan Johar, for bringing Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani to life and giving me the chance to be part of something so meaningful." Furthermore, she extended her heartfelt gratitude to the cast of the film, including Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt and Tota Roy Chowdhury, the crew, which included ADs, background dancers, choreo assistants, technicians, and spot boys, and obviously her own team. Last but not least, the choreographer also expressed how her family had been a pillar of support for her during her journey. She continued, 'To my family-and especially my mum-you've been my loudest cheerleader and quietest strength. I owe this to you." Vaibhavi Merchant Praises Ranveer Singh And Tota Roy Chowdhury For Their Dance In the same post, the popular choreographer explained why Dhindhora Baje Re was extremely special for her. She mentioned, 'Dhindora Baje Re is very close to my heart. It's a tribute to Durga Maa, and everything she stands for-strength, grace, and divine energy." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vaibhavi Merchant (@ Vaibhavi added, 'To win something earned through honesty and hard work– that's the kind of recognition I truly value. And this National Award feels exactly like that. I'm still letting it sink in, but my heart is full. This song was a special experience in many ways. There was a purity in the process of revisiting classical roots, of telling a story through movement, of blending tradition with cinema in a way that resonated." Towards the end of her post, Vaibhavi also praised Ranveer and Tota Roy for their dance skills, despite not being trained classical dancers. She said, 'To see Ranveer and Tota Roy Chowdhury, who aren't classical dancers, immerse themselves so beautifully into the performance-that's the magic of trust, dedication, and love for the art." 'This award isn't just for me-it's for the art form itself," mentioned the National Award-winning choreographer, as she ended her post. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Dhindora Baje Re' choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant wins National Award after 26 years, celebrates with Rani Mukerji
Renowned choreographer is celebrating a significant milestone in her illustrious career, having secured her second National Film Award for the vibrant song 'Dhindora Baje Re' from the film 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani'. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This latest triumph comes a remarkable 26 years after her initial win for the iconic track 'Dholi Taro Dhol Baaje' from 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' in 1999, marking a triumphant return to the National Award stage. Vaibhavi Merchant wins National Award In an interview with Hindustan Times, Vaibhavi shared how emotional and grateful she feels. 'I received my first national award when I was 21, and now I'm 49 years old and receiving it. I was too young to understand the magnitude of the honour the first time I got it. I was working nonstop, and eventually, I started to miss it. Then I was hoping that I was accomplishing something significant enough to merit that prize again. " she said. She also shared how special it feels to win this award in the same year as her best friend . Rani won the National Award for Best Actress for her role in 'Mrs Chatterjee Vs. Norway' 'I'm now away from my best friend Rani, who also won it this year. But it gives me so much happiness to know that she won her first and I won my second, and I'm simply overjoyed. We've known about each other's work for all the years we've been together, and this is just too sweet. I cannot express it in words," she added. The award was given for creative choreography Vaibhavi also expressed how happy she is that the award was given for creative choreography and not just for a popular item number. 'I'm not sure if I'd be as happy to get it on an item song, which is the norm. It is a highly populist mindset to give the award to a popular item song rather than the choreography. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now So, this time, I'm pleased that the song's creativity was recognised rather than its popularity." she said. Vaibhavi Merchant's deep connection with Indian classical dance She spoke about her deep connection with Indian classical dance too. 'I've been doing Bharatnatyam for ten years and am still a student of the classical art form. You must understand the purity and seriousness of those creative forms, as well as what we value–our heritage and culture. There's so much we can do with what we have, and when that recognition comes from a platform where so many people come in to watch it in the cinema hall and you get to showcase that art form, it's incredible," she shared. 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani,' directed by Karan Johar, stars , Alia Bhatt, Shabana Azmi, Dharmendra, and in important roles.
News18
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Vaibhavi Merchant On Winning National Award After 26 Years: ‘It Feels Unreal'
Vaibhavi Merchant won her first National Film Award for the song Dholi Taro Dhol Baaje for the film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam in 1999. Vaibhavi Merchant, renowned Choreographer, is currently on cloud nine as she has received her second National Film Award for the song Dhindora Baje Re from the film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. Now, during an interview, she expressed her happiness over winning the prestigious title once again after 26 years. Not just this, Viabhavi also felt grateful to share the National Award win moment with her best friend Rani Mukerji, who won the title for the film Mrs Chatterjee Vs. Norway. Vaibhavi Merchant On Winning National Film Award Speaking to Hindustan Times, the choreographer said, 'I received my first national award when I was 21, and now I'm 49 years old and receiving it. I was too young to understand the magnitude of the honour the first time I got it. I was working nonstop, and eventually, I started to miss it. Then I was hoping that I was accomplishing something significant enough to merit that prize again." She added, 'I would always wish to earn an honour that is well-deserved and not manufactured. For me, this National Award is extremely important. I'm still in surprise that I've won this after all these years, and I'm only glad for the emotions I'm having right now." Vaibhavi Merchant On Sharing Winning Moment With Rani Mukerji The choreographer is also thrilled that she won in the same year that her best friend Rani Mukerji won her first National Film Award for Best Actress for Mrs Chatterjee Vs. Norway. 'I'm now away from my best friend Rani, who also won it this year. But it gives me so much happiness to know that she won her first and I won my second, and I'm simply overjoyed. We've known about each other's work for all the years we've been together, and this is just too sweet. I cannot express it in words," she says. Vaibhavi Merchant Feels Happy About Song's Creativity Getting Praised She further added, 'I'm not sure if I'd be as happy to get it on an item song, which is the norm. It is a highly populist mindset to give the award to a popular item song rather than the choreography. So, this time, I'm pleased that the song's creativity was recognised rather than its popularity." Vaibhavi Merchant On Her Love For Classical Art Form 'I've been doing Bharatnatyam for ten years and am still a student of the classical art form. You must understand the purity and seriousness of those creative forms, as well as what we value–our heritage and culture. There's so much we can do with what we have, and when that recognition comes from a Karan Johar platform where so many people come in to watch it in the cinema hall and you get to showcase that art form, it's incredible," said the choreographer. Helmed by Karan Johar, the film features Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Shabana Azmi, Dharmendra and Jaya Bachchan in the lead roles. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Vaibhavi Merchant on sharing her National Film Award win moment with best friend Rani Mukerji
Vaibhavi Merchant made her debut as a choreographer with the film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, and received her first National Film Award for it for the song Dholi Taro Dhol Baje in 1999. Now, 26 years later, the choreographer has got her hand on the prestigious award again, this time for the song Dhindora Baje Re from Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, and she is ecstatic about it. Vaibhavi Merchant and Rani Mukerji(Photo: Instagram) Starting off with a joke, she says, 'I hope it's not my last,' adding, 'I won my first National award when I was 21, and now I'm getting it after years and I'm now 49. The first time when I won it, I did not know the magnanimity of that award because I was too young. I was working nonstop and then you start to miss it. Then I was really hoping that I should be doing something substantial for me to deserve that award again.' Sharing her take on awards, Vaibhavi Merchant says, 'I would always love winning an award which is deserving and not manufactured. For me, this National Award is extremely important. I'm still dealing with the shock that I've actually won this after all these years, and I'm only grateful for this feeling that I'm feeling right now.' The choreographer is also excited about the fact that she has won the same year her best friend Rani Mukerji has won her first National Film Award for Best Actress in Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway. 'I'm away right now from my best friend Rani, who's also won it this year. But it gives me such great joy to know that she's won her first while I win my second, and I'm just too elated. All these years that we've been there together, we have been aware of each other's work and this is just too special. I can't express it in words,' she says, adding, 'I don't know if I would be so happy to get it on an item song honestly, which is what the norm is. It's a very populist mindset of giving the award to a popular item song than the choreographies. So, this time I'm happy that the craft of the song was given an award and not a popular song.' Ask her about the love that Dhindora Baje Re has got, and Vaibhavi says, 'Dhindora, for me, became something very unique. Right before that song, a lot of people called me even for Dola Re Dola, the Kathak version between two male performers. So many classical Indian male performers came up to me and told me how happy they were with the way we did it. The fact that I made Ranveer Singh and Tota Roy Chowdhury, who are not classical performers, look like that, they were very impressed.' For Vaibhavi, this National Award is a tribute to the classical art form. 'People who have worked in the classical art forms have been doing it for years, I have done Bharatnatyam for 10 years and still continue to be a student of the classical art form. It's so important that you understand the sanctity, the gravitas of those art forms and what we hold– our heritage, our culture. There's so much we can do with what we have, and when that recognition is given on a Karan Johar platform where so many people come in to watch it in the cinema hall and you're able to showcase that art form, it's amazing. This award only means that this art form is being recognized. This art form has been given the tribute it needed to be given and so, this is just too special,' she says.
NDTV
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
71st National Film Awards: Karan Johar's Rocky Aur Rani Led By Alia-Ranveer Scores Big
New Delhi: The winners of the 71st National Film Awards have been announced, celebrating the best in cinema from 2023. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting revealed the winners on Friday at a press conference in New Delhi. The 71st National Film Awards recognises films certified by the censor board from January 1 to December 31, 2023. Karan Johar's Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani won big at the recently held ceremony. It bagged the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Next the award for Best Choreography for Dhindhora Baje Re! went to Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani again. Vaibhavi Merchant had choreographed the song. Other big wins included Rani Mukerji bagging the Best Actress award for Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway for her powerful performance. Shah Rukh Khan and Vikrant Massey received their first National Awards for Jawan and 12th Fail respectively. 12th Fail also won the National Award for Best Feature Film.
