Vaibhavi Merchant

Vaibhabhi Merchant (born 1975) is a well-known Bollywood dance choreographer, the granddaughter of pioneering choreographer Shri Hiralal Merchant. [http://www.theage.com.au/news/film/making-the-right-moves-for-bollywood/2005/10/17/1129401196044.html Making the right moves for Bollywood] , an October 2005 article from "The Age"] Currently she is dating director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, whom she became involved with during the shooting of the movie Saawariya.

Career

She began her career by assisting her uncle Chinni Prakash. She had her acting debut in the Malayalam film "Snehapoorvam Anna", but returned to her roots as choreographer.

Her first solo work was the choreography for the song "Dhol Baaje" for the hit film "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam". She won a National Film Award for her work. She took a short break from the industry and then returned with a bang in the form of the song "'O Ri Chhori'" from the Oscar-nominated "Lagaan" in 2001.

She continued to choreograph selected numbers in prominent films such as "Devdas", "Baghban", "Fida", "Dhoom", and "Veer Zaara". She also choreographed the Australian musical "The Merchants of Bollywood", a musical written by Toby Gough about her family..

She also choreographed one of the most popular song of 2005, "Kajra Re" from "Bunty aur Babli", winning several awards for her choreography for the song. She was a judge in Nach Baliye 3 along with David Dhawan and Isha Koppikar.

Awards

For "Kajra Re" in "Bunty Aur Babli":
*IIFA Best Choreography Award
*Zee Best Choreography Award
*Star Screen Best Choreography Award
*Apsara Best Choreography Award

For "Dhol Baaje" from "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam":
*National Film Award for Best Choreography

Filmography (as choreographer)

Merchant has done choreography for over 100 films as of 2005, including:
*"Love Story 2050"(2008)
*"Jhoom Barabar Jhoom"(2007)
*"Aaja Nachle"(2007)
*"Heyy Babyy" (2007)
*"Marigold" (2007)
*"Dhoom 2" (2006)
*"Chamki Chameli"
*"Baabul" (2006)
*Umrao Jaan (2006)
*Krrish (2006)
*Fanaa (2006)
*Humko Tumse Pyaar Hai (2006)
*Rang De Basanti (2006)
*Shikhar (2005)
*Neal n' Nikki (2005)
*Shaadi No. 1 (2005)
*Athadu (2005)
*Ramji Londonwaley (2005)
*No Entry (2005)
*Bunty Aur Babli (2005)
*Chehraa (2005)
*Balu ABCDEFG (2005)
*Dil Maange More (2004)
*Swades (2004)
*Veer Zaara (2004)
*Tumsa Nahin Dekha (2004)
*Madhoshi (2004)
*Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa (2004)
*Rakht (2004)
*Dhoom (2004)
*Fida (2004)
*Kyun! Ho Gaya Na (2004)
*Garv - Pride And Honour (2004)
*Lakshya (2004)
*Shaadi Ka Laddoo (2004)
*Meenaxi (2004)
*Rudraksh (2004)
*Aetbaar (2004)
*Baghban (2003)
*Kuch Naa Kaho (2003)
*Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost (2003)
*Haasil (2003)
*Kaash Aap Hamare Hote (2003)
*Dum (2003)
*Dil Ka Rishta (2003)
*Guru Mahaaguru (2002)
*Karz - The Burden Of Truth (2002)
*Deewangee (2002)
*Devdas (2002)
*Na Tum Jaano Na Hum (2002)
*Filhaal (2002)
*Lagaan (2001)
*Albela (2001)
*Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)

References

External links

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