Shiamak Davar backs student Ishaan Khatter's Zingaat act
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 6, 2018)

With social media making it possible to seamlessly express opinions, industry folk are well aware that recreating a revered chartbuster is likely to inspire mixed reactions. Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor’s Zingaat, the recreated version of the song from the Marathi blockbuster Sairat, faced a similar fate. While part of the audience celebrated the song — choreographed by Farah Khan — trolls also took to online platforms to bash the duo in the Hindi version.

But, leading man Khatter may find respite in the fact that his dance tutor, Shiamak Davar has given his thumbs up to the peppy number. “I really liked the video,” Davar tells mid-day, adding, “Ishaan, being a natural dancer, sets the tone of the song. I like the fact that he is a complete actor. So, even when he dances, one can see the actor in him; he performs as per the role he is playing. This is the most effective quality that emerges in this performance, and every time that he dances.”

Khatter, who was part of the third instalment of Davar’s year-long dance degree intensive, OYP, in 2013, impressed the choreographer with his professionalism. “He’s dedicated, and I’m glad that the world can see how talented he is. When he would come to class, he never behaved differently due to his relation with Shahid [Kapoor, brother]. He would interact with his batchmates, learn willingly, with genuine interest. Even today, every time before a release, he always messages and seeks [my] blessings.”

Having admired the young actor’s work in his debut outing, Majid Majidi’s Beyond The Clouds, Davar is certain Khatter has a promising career ahead. “With his first performance, he announced that he is a genuine actor. He is made for big thing.”

Shiamak Davar