A rare gem in the world of showbiz

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There are some people we meet by chance and they remain in our lives forever; just like the popular saying goes, “People meet if they have to, God makes people meet”. For me, this did come true, but I only came to realise it recently after almost 20 years.

I am talking about my favourite designer Deepak Shah of More Mischief. I met Shah, a fine soft-spoken gentlemen in the 1980s in Pune, when he had a small designing shop. My best friend Ritika Ramtri, who is now a well-known beauty pageant trainer, introduced me to him.
Those days, I was modelling for local newspapers and magazines and he gave us his creations to wear. His lovely clothes made me look even better during my Mr India stint in the 1990s.
The best days were when I represented India after Mr India contest at the International Male Model Contest in Aruba. He designed again for me and I was crowned the “Best Dressed Contestant” that year. I modelled to earn money to dance and learn as much as I could in the vast field of Ballroom dancing. My motto was to do my dance course and get myself certified as a dancer and a dance teacher, and not to become a successful model. He was with me all throughout and encouraged me like my family.
We occasionally spoke of how film stars rule all over, be it the fashion ramps, stage shows, television shows, ad films, they were everywhere, but he always disagreed with me.
He said, “Sandip, dancers are the real artistes, who live forever in our minds with their performances; actors come and go, but dancers remain forever.” I felt he always said this just to make me feel good about myself and to motivate me to dance even more and create better shows and productions without getting discouraged.
He has designed for me for all my appearances and shows, be it my dance reality shows, performances at the World Economic Forum, Asian Games opening, London Dance Festival or my red carpet walk for Cannes International film festival and St Tropez Film Festivals.
I feel proud to see his success, from a small shop in Pune, he made a huge store in the same city, moved to various parts of India and recently opened his first international branch in Dubai. When I got to know about his store “More Mischief” opening in the famous and high profile Jumeirah Emirate towers hotel in Dubai, I was very excited for him, and prayed for his success. But I felt honoured when he called to invite me to attend the mega launch. He said, “I am calling just two people who I love, my good old friend and brand ambassador actor Jackie Shroff and Jesse and you.”
For a moment, I was taken aback with his warmth. I understand that a veteran actor like Jackie Shroff would mean media coverage, but why a dancer, like me? To which he had the same thing to say, “Dancers are the real stars”.
I agreed to be part of his special evening. Jesse and I went to Dubai for the launch of the store; it was a completely different experience. He welcomed us with flautist Birkamjeet playing live for us and introduced us to one and all with tenderness that made me love and respect him even more. The hospitality that he extended was something that I never got even when I won the “Most Stylish Dance Choreographer of India” Award. This award was also all because of the way he styles me all the time.
Today, after almost two decades, I completely believe in what he told me. A person like Shah is rare in today’s world of entertainment. he is someone who respects art completely, and who loves everything that is to do with creativity, be it music, dance, painting etc.