Veteran actor, dancer and entertainer Jaaved Jaaferi recently looked back at the artists who shaped his understanding of dance and performance, revealing a diverse list of inspirations that ranges from Hollywood legends to some of India’s most celebrated performers.

Jaaved Jaaferi calls Shammi Kapoor, Prabhu Deva and Hrithik Roshan his dance idols

Ahead of his appearance as a judge on India’s Best Dancer Season 5, Jaaved reflected on discovering dance during a time when international content was not easily available in India. According to him, access to VHS tapes played a major role in broadening his exposure to global performers and different styles of movement.

Recalling that period, Jaaved said, “When we got access to VHS (Video Home System), we started seeing international dance and were exposed to it. The people I admired were Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, and later the ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov. Then, of course, Michael Jackson as a performer. These were very prominent performers whom I saw and was very inspired by.”

While international artists influenced his appreciation for dance, Jaaved said some of his strongest inspirations came from Indian cinema.

Speaking about Bollywood icon Shammi Kapoor, he said, “From the Indian perspective, I used to love Shammi Kapoor. Even though he wasn’t a structured dancer in the formal sense, his body had movement and music embedded in it. The way he used music was incredible.”

Over the years, Jaaved has continued to follow performers who brought their own individuality to dance. Among contemporary stars, he singled out Prabhu Deva and Hrithik Roshan for special praise.

“Later on, of course, I loved Prabhu Deva and Hrithik Roshan. These are the people I have liked over the years,” he shared.

Jaaved also expressed admiration for choreographers who have contributed significantly to Indian cinema’s dance culture. He particularly appreciated the work of Prabhu Deva and Raju Sundaram, both of whom have left a lasting mark through their choreography and creative approach to music-driven storytelling.

The veteran entertainer will next be seen judging India’s Best Dancer Season 5.

Also Read:Jaaved Jaaferi to Nikhil Siddhartha to Unni Mukundan: Meet the desi He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

Tags : Dance, Down Memory Lane, Down The Memory Lane, Features, Flashback, Hrithik Roshan, India’s Best Dancer Season 5, Jaaved Jaaferi, Prabhu Deva, Shammi Kapoor, Throwback