Choreographers-turned-actors Dharmesh Yelande (39) and Punit Pathak (36) met as opponents on dance actuality present Dance India Dance (DID) in 2009, and no one would have thought again then that the 2 would find yourself changing into closest of pals. “It’s been 13 years since we turned pals. We had a lot enjoyable collectively throughout these 4 months of DID. Our dance types have been completely different, however we nonetheless clicked,” says Dharmesh, speaking to us completely on Worldwide Friendship Day.
Punit fondly reminisces the time when he first heard about Dharmesh, even earlier than that they had met on the present. “Throughout DID auditions, I saved listening to individuals speak about him. They requested me, ‘You don’t know Dharmesh?’ after which informed me all about him,” shares Punit, as Dharmesh chimes in and chuckles, “Why didn’t you inform me about this earlier? I’m listening to this at this time!”
Apparently, the 2 weren’t even in similar crew on the present, but someway clicked at the moment are inseparable buddies. “I needed to be in Terrence sir’s (choreographer Terrance Lewis) crew, whereas Dharmesh needed to affix Remo sir’s (choreographer Remo D’Souza) crew. We had a pleasant competitors. We began bonding after we began dwelling collectively at a bungalow, the place all of the contestants used to assemble,” Punit recounts, mentioning that their rooms being subsequent to one another helped them come shut and know one another higher.
Whereas they have been each vying to win the present, Dharmesh shares they used to observe one another’s performances intently. “I bear in mind telling my group, ‘We don’t stand an opportunity towards them.’ Punit’s warm-up and Shakti Mohan’s dance strikes have been superb. However finally, we turned shut and began sharing all the pieces,” says Dharmesh, including that their friendship grew so robust that they might confidently carry out one another’s acts. “Regardless of being informed to maintain our particular person performances secret till the stage reveal, we might share our act concepts fearlessly with one another,” reveals Dharmesh.
The 2 went on to collaborate on variety of tasks after the present acquired over together with movies ABCD (2013), ABCD 2 (2015), Nawabzaade (2018) and Avenue Dancer (2019). “Individuals began saying that we must always carry out collectively as our chemistry on stage was palpable,” quips Punit.
Past dance, they found many commonalities, which acts as a plus level in any friendship. “Throughout DID days, my mum would ship me meals as I reside in Mumbai solely, and Dharmesh used to like that ghar ka khana. Yeh bolta tha, ‘Arrey maa kya banaya hai, aur lekar aao.’ We even celebrated our birthdays collectively on many events, as my birthday is November 1 and his is on October 31,” Punit tells us.
Glad that their journeys, each professionally and personally, have remained aligned, Dharmesh shares, “Mutual respect and understanding are essential in any friendship, and we share our ideas truthfully with one another.” Including in settlement, Punit says, “We’re clear with one another. We pay attention to one another’s solutions whether or not it’s work-related or private life.”
