Sandip Soparrkar, Baron Sandip Soparrkar[1][2](born 6 October 1964) is an Indian Latin and ballroom dancer, choreographer, actor, columnist, philanthropist, dance reality show judge, radio jockey, dance therapist, Sufi and Tanoura Dancer [3] and a Ted X speaker, who holds a doctorate in World Mythology Folklore from Pacifica Graduate Institute United States and also an Honorary Doctorate in Performing arts from The National American University. He has been honoured with 3 National Excellence Awards[4][5] and 1 National Achievement Award[6] by the Government of India, he is also the recipient of the Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize for Social Achievement.[7][8] and the Bharat Gaurav Samaan given by the Ministry of Culture at The House of Lords, London, UK.[9] He is also a recipient of the Shakti Samman given to him in form of a Sword by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.[10]
He has been honored with the title of Baron[11] by Prestige Tiles, United Kingdom.
The 'Dance Today' Magazine, USA, rated Sandip as one of the '100 most influential dancers in the world'. He was crowned as the 'King of Art4Peace' by the Art4Peace Organisation, Beverly Hills, USA.[12]
He founded "India Dance Week", which combines Indian and international dance.[13] He had a postage stamp issued by the Bhutan Government with his picture and with the logo of his worldwide initiative 'Dance for a Cause'.[14][15]
He is the Chairperson of India Fine Art Council (IFAC).[16][17][18]
Soparrkar was the first dancer choreographer to be on a cover of a Bollywood Magazine – Films Today.[19]
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles have written letters of appreciation to Sandip Soparrkar for promoting ballroom and Latin dance culture in India. He was the first Indian to be invited to judge the Asian Latin & Ballroom Dance Championship held at Colombo where 32 countries took part with 78 competitive dances. He is the first Indian who was invited to be on the jury of Sharm Shaikh International theatre festival for the youth, Egypt, along with other top theatre personalities from all over the world[20] Soparrkar is a noted contributor to The Asian Age[21][22][23][24] and Afternoon Voice[25][26][27] newspapers.
Soparrkar is also one of the Board of Directors of the prestigious International Business School Washington (IBSW) which has its branches in The United States of America, France and India.[28]
He is the founder member of Mumba India International Film Festival.[29]
Soparrkar promotes sufi Whirling as a form of moving meditation and self discovery.[30]
Early life and training
Sandip was born in Bhopal, second of the two children to Col Ajay Kumar and Rani Soparkar. He is half Gujarati and half South Indian.[31]
He started his career as a hotel management graduate. He completed his specialization in world cuisine and started working as a cook. At the same time, he started learning Latin and ballroom dances. When he choreographed for Zubeidaa in 2001, he decided to take up dancing as his career option.[32] In 2007, he was unmarried and yet adopted a child named Arjun.[33] In 2021 he went on to adopt a differently-abled (hearing and speech impaired) boy Kabir.[34][35]
He married Indian model and actress Jesse Randhawa in 2009 but they separated in 2016.[36]
Career
His first film was Zubaidaa. In 2014, Soparrkar along with his wife Jesse Randhawa represented India at the Cannes Film Festival in France.[37][38] The duo also performed at the International Marathi Film Festival Award (IMFFA) held in Hong Kong.[39] As "The Indian Ambassador of Dance" Sandip also represented India's dance community at the Madrid International Film Festival,[40] the St Tropez International Film Festival,[41] the Berlin International Film Festival,[42] the Nice International Film Festival,[43] the Global Film Festival,[44] and the World Film Festival.[45]
Soparrkar was named the cause ambassador for adoption in India by Catalyst of Social Action (CSA).[51] He is also the brand ambassador for the Rubik's Cube sport in India[52] and face of American NGO "Miracle Foundation"[53] which helps Indian orphanages. Due to his interest in singing, the Karaoke World Championship made Soparrkar an ambassador for this as well.[54]
Colombian singer Shakira,[55] American singers Madonna, Beyoncé Knowles and Britney Spears,[56][57] and soccer player Diego Madarona[58][59] have all taken dance instruction from Soparrkar. Bollywood actors Hrithik Roshan, Ameesha Patel, Dino Morea, Kajol, Tabu, Manisha Koirala, Sonam Kapoor, Neha Dhupai, Priyanka Chopra and Richa Tembhurne have also been his students.[60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67]
Sandip featured on the cover of the Bollywood magazine 'Films Today' in its July 2018 cover the cover was shot at New Jersey Gardens in USA and was designed by Indian fashion designer Chhaya Gandhi.[68]
His debut film as an actor 'I Am Not a Pornstar Nazar Sambhal Ke - Mind you Gaze' sensational poster was released at the World Film Festival in Los Angeles, USA.[citation needed]
He is the official choreographer and show director for Miss India Worldwidecontest (since 2012), which is the longest running Indian beauty pageant outside of India. He is also the official dance and grooming expert for Femina Miss India since 2001 and Miss Diva since 2016. He was also the dance expert for I Am She-Miss Universe India[69] and also a grooming expert for Grasim Mr. India Contest.
As Soparrkar was the brand ambassador for adoptions in India, as well as the first single man in India to adopt, it is believed that he inspired his student Madonna to adopt an Indian baby.[70][71][72]
After Soparrkar choreographed Britney Spears[73] hit single Womanizer in 2008 international media went into a frizzy talking about their affair which lasted just for few weeks.[74][75]
He drew criticism when he declined to perform at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton at Buckingham Palace in 2009.[76][77][78]
Humanitarian Work
When Soparrkar became the first single man to adopt in India he was chosen as the 'Cause Ambassador' of Catalyst for Social Action (CSA) an organisation that helps orphans and orphanages in India. He actively promotes the cause of Adoptions all over the world.[79][80]
He was also chosen as the face of US based NGO The Miracle Foundation, an organisation that seeks to empower orphan kids and raise them in a family-style orphanage with personal attention.[81][82]
In 2008 he in association with Mrs. Parmenshwar Godrej launched 'Dance for a Cause' at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland highlighting the Global cause by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) of 'Save the Tiger'. Since then Soparrkar has brought light to various other causes such as AIDS, Organ Donation, Cancer Care, Acid Attack, Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence, Care for the elderly and many more. He has been honoured with the National Excellence award in 2017 by the Government of India.[83][84] and also the Government of Bhutan issued a postage stamp honouring his worldwide initiative.[85][86]
Notable performances
2008 - Pop icon Madonna's 50th Birthday Celebration[87]
2009 - Dance at Katy Perry and Russell Brands wedding[88]
2009 - 'Save the Snake' as PETA brand ambassador[89][90]
2010 - He was nominated for song 'Womanizer' by Britney Spears Album 'Circus' for the American Choreography Awards[125]
2011 - He was nominated for song 'Fire' from the film 'Kites' at the Screen Awards[126]
2012 – He was nominated for "Daarling" from the film "7 Khoon Maaf" at the Screen Awards[127][128]
2013 - Nominated as the ‘Most Stylish Couples on Red Carpet’ by the Cannes Film Festival[129]
Awards and recognitions
2014 – Honoured with the National Achievement Award by The Government of India for his work in the field of choreography and dance[115]
2014 – 'The Kudos Dance Award' 2014 honoured him with 'India's Best Choreographer' Award[130][131]
2015 – He was honoured with Jewel of Maharashtra award by the alumni of MSIHMCT (Maharashtra State Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology)[32]
2015 – He was honoured with "Aaj ki Delhi Achievement Award" for his contribution in the Hindi film Industry[132]
2015 – He was honoured and awarded by Navi Mumbai International Film Festival (NMIFF) for his outstanding contribution in the field of dance[133][134]
2015 - ‘Most Inspirational Choreographer of the year 2015’ by Indian Film and Television Choreographers Association[135]
2016 - ‘National Excellence Award’ by The Government of India[136]
2016 - ‘Visionary Award’ by the Lions Club USA and Government of United States of America for Developing a Ballroom Dance Program for the blind[137]
2016 - ‘Choreographer of the Year’ by People Choice Hum Log Award[138]
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