Aug 16, 2026 3:45pm IST
‘Jennifer Lopez Urged Us To Celebrate Our Identity’: Shantanu Maheshwari On The Pop Star’s Advice He Has Carried With Him Since 2018 (EXCLUSIVE)
Choreographer-actor Shantanu Maheshwari reflects on the successes his troupe Desi Hoppers and he have had on global platforms. The first was at the World Of Dance Championship in 2015, where they won the competition, the second was their participation in the second season of “World Of Dance” with Jennifer Lopez, Ne-Yo and Derek Hough on the judging panel.
Calling the 2015 victory “incredibly emotional,” he says that “the fact that it happened on August 16, close to Independence Day, made it even more special.” He reminisces holding the Indian flag with the trophy and “thinking about all those watching us back home and celebrating with us.” He adds, “It felt like we had carried a little piece of India with us and brought it back with something to celebrate. Seeing the Indian flag in an international arena made me very emotional, especially when you know how far you’ve travelled literally and metaphorically.”
“For us, it was never just about winning a competition. It was about showing the world that Indian dancers can compete, create and hold their own on the biggest platforms. And personally, those experiences expanded my own idea of what was possible. They made me dream bigger,” Maheshwari opines.
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Later in 2018, Desi Hoppers was invited to perform during the second season of “World Of Dance.” They were the first Indian dance troupe to perform on that platform. Maheshwari reveals how Jennifer Lopez, who was on the judging panel, urged them to celebrate their identity and uniqueness on stage. Shares Maheshwari, “Meeting Jennifer Lopez was honestly surreal. You grow up watching someone like her and then suddenly you’re performing in front of her and trying to act normal! (laughs) What really stayed with me was that she wasn’t asking us to become more ‘Western’ to fit an international stage. She appreciated us for bringing our own identity to the show. And that’s something I’ve carried with me: ‘Go global, but don’t leave your roots at the airport.’”
He further says, “She also liked how playful and cheeky the performance was, especially that little butt-scratch moment! And then when she tweeted: ‘Love me some Desi Hoppers! India is in the house.’ That was, honestly, a huge moment for all of us.”
He elaborates, “The moment you step onto an international stage representing India, you realise you’re not just performing for yourself anymore. There’s a sense of pride, but also a responsibility to showcase what Indian dancers are capable of beyond the stereotypes people may have of Indian dance. We wanted to change the perception of Indian dancers and make them believe that international stages were not out of reach.”
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