Shruti Merchant
| Shruti Merchant | |
|---|---|
| Born |
3 August1984 (age 33) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Nationality |
 Indian |
| Occupation | Choreographer, Producer/Director- Taj Express- The Musical, Propreitor- Quintessence Entertainment Productions |
| Years active | 2003 - Present |
| Spouse(s) | Dhruv Bhandari (m. 2017) |
| Relatives | Vaibhavi Merchant (sister) |
| Website | shrutimerchant.in |
Shruti Merchant is an Indian choreographer.[1][2] She is the younger sister of Vaibhavi Merchant.[3] She is the granddaughter of late Shri B.Hiralal, one of the four Lal brothers namely B.Sohanlal, B.Hiralal, B.Chinni Lal and B.Radheshyam. He was a renowned film choreographer and was one of the founding fathers of classic Bollywood cinema songs. He brought the strong, vehement Jaipur style of dance to Indian cinema and rightfully commanded respect for several decades in the Indian film industry. Shruti is trained in Indian classical dance, Kathak and Bharatnatyam.
She began her career assisting her sister Vaibhavi Merchant. She has assisted her in films like Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Dhoom 3, Aiyaa, Kurbaan, Dil Bole Hadippa, Dilli 6, Luck By Chance, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Dostana, Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic, Bhootnath, Tashan, Aaja Nach Le, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, Tara Rum Pum, Dhoom 2, UmraoJaan, Krrish, BuntyAurBabli, DilMaange More, Swades, Veer – Zara, Dhoom, Fida, Lakshya, Muskaan, Baghban, Kuch Na Kaho, Kal Ho Na Ho, Devdas, etc. Shruti has choreographed the steps for the climax track ‘Koi Pathar Se Na Mare’ in the film Aaja Nach Le which won many accolades.
She made her debut as a Choreographer and won the Big Entertainment Award for best Choreographer for “Thug Le” from “Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl”. And made her TV debut as a Judge on ZEE TV’s Dance Reality Show “Dance India Dance – Season 4” in 2013.
For five years she toured countries like USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, U.K, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Netherlands, Romania, South Africa, China, Singapore, Thailand, etc. with the theatrical musical “THE MERCHANTS OF BOLLYWOOD” as the assistant choreographer. The story of the show is based on the life of her sister Ms. Vaibhavi Merchant and her grandfather Late Shri B.Hiralal.
In January 2011 she started her own entertainment production company “QUINTESSENCE ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTIONS” [4] with the aim to bring commercial theatre into the Indian Entertainment Market. She produced and directed India’s first international theatrical musical production “Taj Express”.[5] The show had its premiere at the Jamshed Bhabha Theatre (NCPA) Mumbai on 10 July 2011 and its World Premiere in Singapore at The Esplanade Theatre between June 2012. Following that it toured China in December 2012 till January 2013, completing over 25 shows in 10 different cities in China. It also performed at the "15th Turkish State Theatre Sabanci International Adana Theatre Festival" in March 2013. The show toured Taiwan performing at the Taipei National Theater between 21 – 28 July 2014. In June 2013 she produced and choreographed her second theatrical musical “Taj Express The Bollywood Musical” which performed under the name “Bollywood Express” completing over 45 shows in 36 cities in France in November - December 2013. In 2014 it performed at the 50th Annual Festival International De Carthage in Tunisia and at Bangkok’s 16th International Festival of Dance & Music. The show toured in Russia in October- November 2014 performing over 15 shows in 13 cities. It completed its 2014 schedule with its return tour to France completing over 23 shows in 15 cities.
Television
- Dance India Dance 4 as Judge
- Chak Dhoom Dhoom as Guest Judge