From Street Vendor to Dance Sensation: The Inspiring Journey of Dharmesh Yelande

Mumbai, October 30 (Daily Kiran) : Dharmesh Yelande, a prominent name in the dance world, has carved out a significant identity for himself. He is not just a dancer but also a choreographer, actor, and a well-known face on reality television. However, his path to success was fraught with challenges. At one point, his family faced financial difficulties that compelled him to take on various odd jobs to pursue his dreams.

In his early days, Dharmesh worked as a peon and even operated a misal pav stall. Today, he stands as a testament to hard work and dedication in the dance industry.

Born on October 31, 1983, in Vadodara, Gujarat, Dharmesh grew up in a modest household where his father owned a small shop. From a young age, he was captivated by dance, often mimicking the moves of actor Govinda while watching him on television. His talent was evident when he won a dance competition in the sixth grade, prompting his father to enroll him in dance classes despite their financial struggles.

Dharmesh’s family faced severe hardships, including the demolition of his father’s shop by the municipal corporation. Following this, his father started a tea stall, earning a meager income of about 50 to 60 rupees daily. With a family of four to support, Dharmesh felt compelled to contribute. His academic interests waned, and at 19, he dropped out of college to work as a peon, earning around 1,600 rupees a month. He also taught dance to children and dedicated his evenings to practicing his craft.

In an interview, Dharmesh recounted how he set up a misal pav stall near his father’s tea shop in Vadodara. He aimed to balance helping his family with keeping his dance aspirations alive. During this time, he also worked as a background dancer in a film.

His journey led him to Mumbai, where he participated in the dance reality show “Boogie Woogie,” clinching the first prize and winning a cash reward of five lakh rupees. He used this money to pay off his father’s debts. However, securing film roles proved challenging, and after two years of trying, he had to return to Vadodara due to financial constraints.

Not long after, Dharmesh auditioned for the second season of “Dance India Dance,” where he gained recognition for his performances, particularly his unique dance to flute music. This exposure opened doors for him, leading to opportunities in various dance shows. He worked with renowned artists and even choreographed for stars like Katrina Kaif. In 2015, he became a mentor on the dance reality show “Dance Plus,” continuing his association with the show for several seasons. He also made appearances on “Dance Deewane.”

Dharmesh’s foray into films came through choreographer and director Remo D’Souza, who cast him in the 2013 film “ABCD: Any Body Can Dance,” where he played a lead role as Danish. He later featured in “ABCD 2,” along with films like “Banjo,” “Nawabzaade,” and “Street Dancer 3D.” Additionally, he was involved in the Gujarati film “Safalta 0 K.M.” and participated in “Khatron Ke Khiladi 10,” finishing as the second runner-up.

Dharmesh Yelande’s story is one of perseverance, illustrating how dreams can be realized through hard work and determination.