Stars turn virtual gurus

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Youngsters now spend more time in the virtual world than perhaps the real world. And that is the best place to tap them. Realising this, some stars are taking to the web not just to connect with them, but actively engage with them.

Actor Madhuri Dixit, who for the last few months has been trying to connect with her fans through social media tools and apps, is now out with a new project — Dance With Madhuri — a website where fans can get dancing lessons from her in the form of interactive, video packages split over multiple clips.
Last year, musician Shankar Mahadevan joined hands with an online platform to launch his music school, shankarmahadevanacademy.com.
Responding to requests from fans across the country, these stars thought it best to share their expertise and offer lessons and tips on the online platform. Madhuri, while launching the site, said that she did not want to limit herself to just a few hundred people and thus she came up with the idea of an online school.
Though at a very nascent stage, the online schools are going to be the next big thing, think industry experts. Raghuveer Malik, co-founder and CEO, skillhippo.com, an online community marketplace for teachers, students, institutions, organisations and businesses to learn, teach and share any skills, says that everyone is using internet as a tool to tap potential learners. “It’s something that is garnering much attention from people from all quarters,” says Raghuveer, whose project has received a tremendous response in the last few months.
He says that shorter duration courses are doing really well. “It’s providing a platform to everybody — from students who want to try something because they are passionate about the activity to corporate employees who want to add a skill to their individuality,” he says, adding that he thinks these platforms are also providing unconventional career opportunities to youngsters.
Mudit Kalra, a young event organiser and a keen learner, says that it’s a new way of learning. “Accessing the web has become easier for everybody. And it gives you scope to learn a variety of things. From a short term course in a particular style of dancing to cookery lessons, online platforms have everything,” he says and adds that the reason behind celebs reaching people through social platforms is that they get to interact with their fans directly and get instant feedback. “They are widening the reach of their talent and are also making a personal connect,” he says.
Arushi Verma, an NGO employee, thinks that online platforms can open up new frontiers as people would have access to courses otherwise beyond their reach. “A person living in Delhi could not have thought of relocating to Mumbai to take dance lessons from Madhuri. But now, they can think of taking up the course,” she concludes.