Shantanu Maheshwari

Shantanu Maheshwari (Hindi: शांतनु माहेश्वरी) (born 7 March 1991) is an Indian television actor, dancer and choreographer. He debuted in the show Dil Dosti Dance on Channel V in his breakout performance as the protagonist Swayam Shekhawat.^[1] Maheshwari is a part of the 'Desi Hoppers' dance crew who emerged as winners in the World of Dance 2015 Championship in Los Angeles.^{[2][3][4][5][6]} In 2015, he gave a special performance on America's Got Talent (season 11).^[7]

Maheshwari has done episodics in Yeh Hai Aashiqui, Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya and Twistwala Love. In 2016, he played the protagonist in Girls on Top on MTV India.^[8] He is currently seen in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (season 9) on Colors as a celebrity contestant.

Personal life

Maheshwari was born on 7 March 1991 in Kolkata, India. He attended St. Joseph's College, Kolkata.^[9] He moved to Mumbai for his higher studies where he attended H.R. College of Commerce and Economics and was a part of the Street Soul Dance Crew [SSDC] from his college. Maheshwari is versatile as a dancer but specializes mainly in Popping and (Liquid) Waving.^[10]

Career

Maheshwari began his acting career with Dil Dosti Dance^[11] for Channel V. He rose to fame by essaying the role of the lead character, Swayam Shekhawat during the four year run of the show.^[12][13] His chemistry with co-star Vrushika Mehta earned him widespread adulation as they went on to win the third spot as the Hottest Indian TV Jodi by the UK-based newspaper Eastern Eye.^[14] According to the reports, "The big surprise was Vrushika Mehta and Shantanu Maheshwari from teen serial 'Dil Dosti Dance', who saw off competition from established names to come third in the list."^[15] The pair also earned the Indian Television Academy Awards for Onscreen Couple of the Year in 2014.^{[16] [17]}

Maheshwari appeared in Box Cricket League in 2013 and 2014 on Colors, as part of the team 'Chandigarh Cubs'.^[18] In 2015, he appeared in Zing (TV channel)'s episodics show Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya where he played the role of a cancer patient.^[19] He returned to the small screen with Dil Dosti Dance co-star Vrushika Mehta in an episodic of Bindass Yeh Hai Aashiqui, playing a verbally-challenged law student. ^[20][21] He has also dubbed for some episodes of Yeh Hai Aashiqui.^[22] In the same year, he returned to Channel V with an episodic of Twistwala Love, playing the role of a dancer opposite Mohena Kumari Singh of Dance India Dance fame. Later that year, Maheshwari appeared in Bindass TV's Bindass Naach.^[23][24] The finite series, which had appearances by the likes of Jaja Vaňková and Terence Lewis (choreographer), showcased the formation of his crew 'Desi Hoppers' and their subsequent victory at World of Dance 2015.^{[25][26][27][28]} The crew was invited to give a special performance on America's Got Talent (season 11) and received praise from judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum and Nick Cannon.^[29]

In 2015, he appeared in a commercial for HP Pavilion (computer) for their #BendTheRules campaign. In the same year, he starred in a music video under T-Series alongside Sunny Leone, by Kanika Kapoor and Mika Singh.

In 2016, he played Sahir Bhasin, an aspiring musician, in MTV India Girls on Top (2016 TV series).^[30] He also appeared in a promotional dance video for Fashion at Big Bazaar alongside Terence Lewis (choreographer).

He is seen as a contestant in the celebrity dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa on Colors.^[31][32] He received praise from seasoned actor Ronit Roy who called him a "winner and my star".^[33] Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan called Maheshwari a 'flying star'.^[34]

Filmography

Television

Non-fiction shows

Commercials

Music Videos

Awards

Reference

External links

• Shantanu Maheshwari on Twitter
• Shantanu Maheshwari on Instagram
• Shantanu Maheshwari on Facebook
• Shantanu Maheshwari at the Internet Movie Database