'SMS voting system is now a money-making business' : Mayuresh Wadkar

I caught up with Mayuresh Wadkar who fascinated us with his dancing capabilities in Zee's Dance India Dance. Mayuresh is not only a dancer/ choreographer but is an aspiring actor also. He is intelligent, lively, hard-working and a jovial person to talk to.

He will turn 26 on 24th December, here are the excerpts from the interview:

How would you describe your journey till date?
I have always wanted to be an actor and I took the first step towards acting by working on my dancing. I worked as a salesman, did some editing in Balaji, soon after which, I got a chance to join Terrence Sir's Dance Academy. Then DID happened.

What made you decide to take up dancing as a career?
Dancing is inbound talent in me and is always been my passion. I have been dancing since childhood. I used to watch on television and copy the moves of great dancers like Prabhu Deva and  Michael Jackson. I wanted to became an actor and Dancing provide me good platform to enter in showbiz industry.

How has your life changed pre and post Dance India Dance?
Pre DID I was just a background dancer, sometimes I danced as a lead but that did not bring fame. Post DID, people started recognizing me. Now Mayuresh Wadkar is a brand and I am so happy to see the transformation. DID was truly an enriching experience for me and was like an adventurous journey which I will cherish for my whole life.

You have a crazy fan following, any weird incidents with your fans?
(Blushes) Yes sometimes fans behaves in crazy way. Guys and Aunties come and say they like me and want to dance with me. At times I had some weird experiences of guys raising their hand when I asked gals to join me on the dance floor.

After most of the eliminations, judges used to say ‘Oh that was unexpected, he/she should not be eliminated’. Don’t you think Judges can judge the contestants better than SMS system?
I agree.. Judges can judge contestants more appropriately than SMS system. The SMS voting system to judge the talent usually comes under much fire especially when the contestants who perform very well are suddenly voted out. I think final decision should be in the hands of Judges. SMS voting system is now a money-making business.

Some of the contestant show the emotional side of their life so that emotional viewers give them vote.
Some of the contestant do that to gain public sympathy. Sometimes channel and production house show such things, because they want to connect the contestant with audience.

Who are your closest buddies in industry?
I have lots of friends, Manish Paul, Shakti, Mukti, Dharmesh, Karan Grover, Terence Sir, Remo Sir, Geeta Maa, Siddesh Pai etc are close to me.

What about the enemies?
I don't make enemies with anybody.

Are you seeing someone?
No(smiles).

Are you looking forward to act?
Yes of course, acting is on the cards. I am looking forward to act in movies not in serials but I will never going to leave my dancing as it is more of a passion for me than work.

One thing about yourself that no one knows.
I am an emotional guy.

You will turn 26 tomorrow, any birthday plans?
Going to party it up and celebrate with bunch of my friends.

Any advice to young and aspiring dancers?
If dance is your passion, then just go for it. Take proper training, join some good dancing institute and believe in yourself. Our soul comes alive when we dance.

Any message to you fans.
I just want to say thank you for all your love and support, and I am grateful for that. God Bless you all.

-K Himaanshu Shukla..