Sandip Soparrkar

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Dr. Sandip Soparrkar (born October 6, 1964) is an Indian Latin and ballroom dancer, Bollywood choreographer, actor and columnist who holds a doctorate in World Mythology Folklore from the United States. He founded "India Dance Week", which combines Indian and international dance. He has also become a philanthropist with the initiative "Dance for a Cause". At the British House of Commons, World Book of Reconds / Indo-British Cultural forum honored Soparrkar with the title of "Ballroom Dance Jewel".

He is the first Indian to be certified by the Ballroom Dance Training School, Bonn, Germany and has been honoured with the National Achievement Award and with two National Excellence Awards by the Government of India. He is also a recipient of the Prestigious Shakti Samman in a form of a Sword by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

The Government of United States of American along with Lions Club International honoured Sandip with the 'Visionary Award' for developing a Ballroom dance program for the blind. He is the first Indian Dance choreographer who was invited to the United Nations Headquarters in New York city to conduct a dance session for the United Nations Staff through the United Nations Staff Recreation Council (UNSRC) and Society for Promotion of Indian Culture and Experience (SPICE). He has also been honoured by Mr. Thomas Lankey, honourable Mayor of Edison, New Jersey, United States of America with a Proclamation citation regarding his initiative 'Dance for a Cause', the Proclamation was handed over to him by Honourable Minister Mr. Antonio Sabas and his wife Mrs. Megumi N Sabas. The renowned 'Dance Today' Magazine, USA, rates Sandip as one of the '100 most influential dancers in the world'.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles have written personal letters of appreciation to Sandip Soparrkar for promoting ballroom and Latin dance culture in India. He was the first Indian to be invited to judge the Asian Latin & Ballroom Dance Championship held at Colombo where 32 countries took part with 78 competitive dances. Soparrkar is a noted contributor to The Asian Age and Afternoon Voice newspapers.

Video Sandip Soparrkar

Early life and training

Sandip was born in Bhopal, second of the two children to Col Ajay Kumar and Rani Soparkar. His grandfather Dr. K.M Soparkar was the first gynaecologist in the Indian Army and his great grandfather Dr. M.B Soparkar had the honour of being the personal doctor of Mahatma Gandhi, Vallabhbhai Patel and Morarji Desai.

He started his career as a hotel management graduate. He completed his specialisation in world cuisine and started working as a cook. At the same time, he started learning Latin and ballroom dances. When he choreographed for the award winning film Zubeidaa in 2001, he decided to take up dancing as his career option. In 2007, he was unmarried and yet adopted a child named Arjun.

His father Col Ajay Kumar Soparkar is in the Indian Army and mother Rani Soparkar is a teacher. He travelled all over the world while he studied dance to gain more knowledge about the authenticity of various dance forms. He holds a Hotel Management Degree, a Masters degree in Business Management from the Symbiosis Institute and also a PhD in World Mythology folklore from the Pacifica Graduate Institute, California. Making him one of the most highly educated Ballroom Dancers in the World.

He married Indian super model and actress Jesse Randhawa in 2009 but they separated in 2016.

Maps Sandip Soparrkar

Career

In 2014, Soparrkar along with his wife Jesse Randhawa represented India at the Cannes Film Festival in France. The duo also performed at the International Marathi Film Festival Award (IMFFA) held in Hong Kong. As "The Indian Ambassador of Dance" Sandip also represented India's dance community at the Madrid International Film Festival, the St Tropez International Film Festival, the Berlin International Film Festival, the Nice International Film Festival, the Global Film Festival, and the World Film Festival.

In 2015, Soparrkar starred alongside Bollywood actors Raveena Tandon and Tiger Shroff in "India Dance Week". The later editions of it attracted guests such as Govinda and Helen.

Soparrkar was named the cause ambassador for adoption in India by Catalyst of Social Action (CSA). He is also the brand ambassador for the rubix cube sport in India and face of American NGO "Miracle Foundation" which helps Indian orphanages. Due to his interest in singing, the Karaoke World Championship made Soparrkar an ambassador for this as well.

Magazines featuring Soparrkar on the cover include India Today, Femina, Citadel, Brunch, World Luxury, Sun (London), Luxurious Life (USA), Alta Moda (France), Truly Asia (Nepal), ArtScape (India's first dance magazine), Graphiti, Good Homes and Living, Ferns, Fins and Feathers, Vibrant Events, Aaj Ki Delhi, Re Vista, Debut Life, Alta Moda (India), Style (USA) and Swag (USA)., BE Reality He has been featured on the cover of Robert H Cherny's best seller book Second Tango. He has also shared his recipes in The Vegan Kitchen: Bollywood Style! and My favourite Dish, cook books by Anuradha Sawhney.

Colombian singer Shakira, American singers Madonna, Beyonce Knowles and Britney Spears, and soccer player Diego Madarona have all taken dance instruction from Soparrkar. Bollywood actors Hrithik Roshan, Ameesha Patel, Dino Morea, Kajol, Tabu, Manisha Koirala, Sonam Kapoor, Neha Dhupai and Priyanka Chopra have also been his students.

As a celebrated dancer and choreographer he has walked as the showstopper for many renowned Indian and international designer like Sanjana Jon, Rohit Verma, Deepak Shah, Gulam Ali, Shruti Mahesh and more.

Britney spears dating sandip soparrkar. [fan base] Britney Spears ...

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Controveries

Soparrkar's personal life came into international spotlight when the German Daily publication reported that he had a son out of wedlock with his German girlfriend. The woman filed a claim that custody of the child should have gone to Soparrkar.

As Soparrkar was the brand ambassador for adoptions in India, as well as the first single man in India to adopt, it is believed that he inspired his student Madonna to adopt an Indian baby.

He drew criticism when he declined to perform in the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton at Buckingham Palace in 2009.

Soparrkar is known to have a very colourful life with many gorgeous ladies walking in and out of his life, actresses Shilpa Shetty , Britney Spears, Sharbani Mukherji, Yana Gupta, Nicole Alvares and many have been rumoured to have been close to the handsome dancer personally and professionally.

Sangeeta Bijlani At Grand Finale Of India's First Dance Week In ...

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Notable performances

2005 - Pune International Film Festival theme 'Hollywood Musicals down the Ages'
2006 - Opening Ceremony of the Asian Gymnastic Championships theme 'Dances Down the Ages' performed in presence of Prime Minister of India Honourable Mr. Manmohan Singh.
2007 - Fund Raiser for Prince of Wales Prince Charles Charity - 'Youth Business Initiative' in Lagos, Nigeria
2008 - Pop icon Madonna's 50th Birthday Celebration
2008 - Teachers Achievement Award Theme 'Famous Hollywood Musicals'
2009 - Dance at Katy Perry and Russell Brands wedding.
2009 - 'Save the Snake' as PETA brand ambassador
2010 - Show honouring the Indian Police 'Umang' Theme 'Love in Bollywood'
2011 - 'Save the Tiger' Themed dance at the 'World Economic Forum', Davos, Switzerland in presence of USA President Bill Clinton and French President Nicolas Sarkozy
2011 - 'I love my National Animal' for 'Lets Design'
2011 - Indian Style awards Theme 'Celebrate style and elan'
2012 - Opening dance at the 'Plymouth Dance Festival, UK'
2013 - 'When Gods Meet' Indo - Greek Mythology based show with Padma Vibhushan Padma Bhushan Dr Sonal Mansingh
2014 - opening dance of the prestigious 'Seattle India Dance Festival' themed 'Why Roses Are Red' based on Greek Mythology
2015 - 'Enchanted Love' and Indo Korean love saga of 78 AD for Prime Minister of South Korea Mr. Lee Wan-Koo
2015 - 'Hyacinth' a story of Greek God Apollo and his young lover Hyacinth for India's leading LGBT NGO Humsafar trust
2016 - 'Purest Tulsi' - Indian Mythology based story of the birth of the scared Basil plant for designer Rohit Verma
2016 - 'Save the Peacock' for Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF)
2017 -'Aashayein' raising issue for Acid Attack survivors.

Sonali Raut : Sandip Soparrkar trains Sonali Raut for a passionate ...

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Television appearances

2006 - 'Dance Diva' - Zoom TV with Suneeat Rao
2008 - 'Aaja Jhoom Le' - Zoom TV with Tanisha Charterjee and Tanushree Dutta
2008 - 'Boogie Woogie' India Latin Champion Search on Sony TV
2008 - 'Mega Indian Anchor Hunt' for Zoom TV
2008 - 'Chek De Bachche' on Channel 9X
2009 - 'Aaja Jhoom Le' Season 2 - Zoom TV
2010 - He judged 'Dance India Dance L'il Masters Season 1 with Farah Khan on Zee TV.
2010 'Aka Peksha Ake' on Zee TV Marathi
2011 - 'Dance India Dance Doubles' - Zee TV
2011 - 'Sunsilk Gang of Girls' for Zoom TV
2011 - 'Maha Challenge' on Food Food Channel with Madhuri Dixit and Chef Sanjeev Kapoor
2012 - 'Stunner 10' on Bindass TV
2012 - 'Ticket to Bollywood' - NDTV
2013 - He was jury of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa UAE Season 2 along with Bollywood veteran choreographer Saroj Khan for Color TV
2013 - He judged 'Bharat Ki Shaan - Rum Jhum' along with Indian Classical dance legend Padma Vibhushan Dr. Sonal Mansingh for Doordarshan
2014 - He was judge of a dance reality show 'Closeup Bharat Ki Shaan - Let's Dance' on DD National.
2014 - He also judged 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa UAE Dance Extravaganza 2014' season 3 for Color TV.
2015 - He along with his wife Super Model Jesse Randhawa was seen on Sony Television Show 'Power Couple'
2015 - He again judged UAE 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa' season 4 with renowned Bollywood choreographer Geeta Kapoor for Color TV
2016 - He judged Dance Reality show 'Dance Muqabla' for Tv Asia USA and Canada.
2016 - He was again seen on UAE television along with choreographer Pony Verma for 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa' season 5 for Color TV

Nisha Jamwal Neetu Chandra Jesse Randhawa at Sandip Soparrkar and ...

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Filmography

As a film choreographer

2001 - Zubeidaa
2004 - Kyun! Ho Gaya Na...
2004 - Tum: A Dangerous Obsession
2005 - Hollywood Film - The Myth - Starring Jackie Chan
2005 - The Rising: Ballad of Mangal Pandey
2006 - Holiday
2007 - Aakashgopuram (Malayalam Film)
2008 - Britney Spears Video - Womaniser
2009 - Phir Kabhi
2010 - Kites
2011 - 7 Khoon Maaf
2011 - Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Ji
2012 - Rush
2012 - Ghost
2014 - Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty
2015 - Join the Dance (French Film) by Laurent Frapet
2016 - Spirit Shall Fly (British Film)
2016 - JD
2017 - Love Life Screwups (Web Series)
2017 - Doctor Rakhmabai (Marathi Film)

As a theater choreographer

2011 - 'Sound Of Music' directed by Alyque & Raell Padamsee
2006 - 'Man of La Mancha' directed by Theatrix
2007 - 'West Side Story' directed by Janine Misquitta
2008 - 'Camelot' directed by Janine Misquitta
2009 - 'Mary Poppins' directed by Dr. Natasha Mehta
2009 - 'The World of Silence' with deaf and mute dancer directed by Mrs. Sarah Giri, wife of the Prime Minister of Nepal Dr. Tulsi Giri
2011 - 'Hidden Agendas' directed by Janine Misquitta
2012 - 'Jungle Book' directed by Mrs. Anita Landers
2013 - Broadway musical 'Bruce Lee; Journey to the West'
2015 - 'Enchanted love' an Indo Korean Love story based in 78 AD for the Korean Prime Minister visit to India
2015 - 'Hyacinth' for LGBT cause for Humsafar Trust
2016 - 'Tulsi' for designer Rohit K Verma
2016 - 'Save our National Bird Peacock' for Mumbai International Film Festival in presence of Chief Minister of Maharashtra Hon Mr. Devendra Fadnavis
2017 - 'Mr. & Mrs Murarila' Directed by Mr. Saif Hasan
2017 - 'Amavas se Amaltas' Directed by National Award winner Ms. Smita Bharti

As a music video choreographer

2005 - 'Tu He Bata' from album 'Chanda Ki Doli' by Sonu Nigam
2005 - 'Chhodo Jaanam' by Mandar Agashe
2006 - 'Aaiye Meherbaan' by Kunika Lal
2007 - 'Suno Mere Dil Ki Bath' from album 'Sunoh' by Babul Supriyo
2013 - 'Oh My Love' by Prashant Patil
2014 -'Waqt Ne Kya Kiya' by Shibani Kashyap
2016 -'Kaisa Yeh Ishq Hai' by Sohail Sen for Yash Raj films

TV commercial choreography

2012 -'Lux' soap commercial with Priyanka Chopra
2012 - Lux' commercial with Thai actress Sririta Jenson
2013 - Louis Vuitton television commercial for the luggage bags 'Zephyr'
2014 - 'Fa Deodorant' commercial with Bipasha Basu
2015 - Reliance Mobile commercial
2015 - Pantaloon India commercial
2015 - LG Magic Door Refrigerator
2016 - Safari Suitcase
2016 - Piramal Builders

As a film actor

2008 - Hollywood Film - Nine (As an actor and a Choreographer) by Director of Chicago Mr. Rob Marshall
2012 - Ghost

As a theater actor

2012 - Born to Samba (Documentary Drama on the life of Samba Dance)
2013 - When Gods Meet (Indic Greek dance drama)
2014 - Why Roses are Red (Greek Mythology inspired Musical)
2015 - Enchanted Love (Indo Korean Love story)
2015 - Hyacinth (Musical on LGBT issue)
2016 - Born to Love (Love story of Cupid)
2017 - Jannat Central

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Nominations

2010 - He was nominated for song 'Womanizer' from Britney Spears Album 'Circus' for the American Choreography Awards.
2011 - He was nominated for song 'Fire' from the film 'Kites' at the Screen Awards.
2012 - He was nominated for "Daarling" from the film "7 Khoon Maaf" at the Screen Awards.
2013 - Nominated as the 'Most Stylish Couples on Red Carpet' by the Cannes Film Festival.
2013 - Nominated for the 'Best European Advertisement Choreography' for the Louise Vuitton luggage bag commercial.

Shraddha Nigam : Shraddha Nigam and Mayank Anand at Sandip ...

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Awards and recognitions

2014 - Honoured with the National Achievement Award by The Government of India for his work in the field of choreography and dance.
2014 - 'The Kudos Dance Award' 2014 honoured him with 'India's Best Choregorapher' Award.
2015 - He was honoured with Jewel of Maharashtra award by the alumni of MSIHMCT (Maharashtra State Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology).
2015 - He was honoured with "Aaj ki Delhi Achievement Award" for his contribution in the Hindi film Industry.
2015 - He was honoured and awarded by Navi Mumbai International Film Festival (NMIFF) for his outstanding contribution in the field of dance.
2015 - 'Most Inspirational Choreographer of the year 2015' by Indian Film and Television Choreographers Association.
2016 - 'National Excellence Award' by The Government of India.
2016 - 'Visionary Award' by the Lions Club USA and Government of United States of America for Developing a Ballroom Dance Program for the blind.
2016 - 'Choreographer of the Year' by People Choice Hum Log Award
2016 - 'Choreographer with a Heart' by NBC Newsmakers Achievers Award.
2016 - 'Dream Achiever' Awarded by Film Today.
2016 - 'Bharat Icon Award' for best choreographer, by Ministry of India, Government of India.
2016 - 'The Humanity Excellence Award' by We Welfare Society for raising fund and helping various charities in India and abroad.
2016 - 'Global face of Dance' by Global Film Festival.
2016 - 'WOW Personality Award 2016' for being internationally renowned dance choreographer par excellence.
2017 - 'Shivanjali Award' for his outstanding Abhinayaa (expressions) by Abhinayaa Institute of Research & Fine Arts
2017 - 'Ballroom Dance Jewel Award' by the World Book of Records and Indo-British Intellectuals Forum UK.
2017 - 'Gaurav Samaan' - for his initiative "Dance for a Cause".
2017 - 'Quality Mark Award' - for imparting authentic and pure knowledge of Latin and Ballroom Dancing.
2017 - 'Golden Achiever Award' - for his outstanding achievement in the field of dance.
2017 - Ashokpushp Puraskar for being the 'Choreographer's Icon' by Anagha Media.
2017 - 'Dance Appreciation Award' - by Film Today Magazine for this contribution in the field of Bollywood film Choreography
2017 - 'Shakti Samman' - an honour awarded by the Indian Ministry of Culture, which includes a traditional Indian sword.
2017 - 'National Excellence Award' by The Government of India, for his social initiative 'Dance for a Cause'
2017 - Received appreciation letter from United Nations for conducting a dance program for the Staff of United Nations.
2017 - Proclamation Citation from Mayor of Edison, New Jersey, USA.
2017 - MAP Master of Dance Award by MAP (Music Art and Poetry) Festival
2017 - WOW Personality Award as a Social Activist for 'Dance for a Cause' - By BE Magazine
2017 - The Business Icon Award for Excellence in Dance by All India Ladies League (AILL)
2017 - Made In India Swadeshi Award - By Mrs. Amruta Fadnavis Wife of the Honorable Chief Minister of Maharashtra, India