Renowned dancer and reality television personality Shakti Mohan has candidly spoken about her on-screen romantic pairing with Raghav Juyal on the popular show 'Dance Plus'. Mohan disclosed that while their chemistry captivated audiences, the romantic angle was largely a creation of the show's script, leading to moments of personal discomfort, including a specific kiss scene.
The On-Screen Romance: A Scripted Angle
Mohan explained that her relationship with Raghav Juyal off-screen was one of genuine friendship and mutual respect. She described their bond as akin to siblings, making the sudden transition to a romantic narrative on 'Dance Plus' feel 'very weird'. The dancer praised Juyal's unique thought process, particularly his perspectives on societal norms and gender equality, stating she had never heard such insights before.
“Before the show, we were very normal friends—we would fight like brother and sister. Then suddenly, they started creating a romantic angle. It was scripted that he would tease me. It was a very weird transition for us,” Mohan shared, highlighting the artificial nature of their on-screen dynamic.
Uncomfortable Moments: The Kiss Scene
A particular incident that caused significant discomfort for Shakti Mohan was an on-stage kiss moment that she wasn't aware would happen. She recalled being informed about it just before it occurred and questioning its necessity. Despite her reservations, she proceeded, attributing it to her obedient nature at the time, even though her parents were watching the show.
“There was even a kiss moment created. Honestly, I didn’t know about it. I was told something like—if this happens, Raghav will kiss you. I was like, why? Why is this happening? Even Remo D'Souza encouraged it on stage. I’m a very obedient person and at that time I didn’t stand my ground. My parents were watching. But I still did it—and you can see how uncomfortable I was.”
Beyond the Script: A Clean Bond
Despite the elaborate romantic narrative built around them for entertainment purposes, Mohan emphasized that her personal bond with Juyal remained unaffected. She clarified that they both were aware of each other's romantic lives and that their connection was always 'clean' and strictly professional on the show. “We never saw it as anything personal. It was just for entertainment,” she stated.
Family Reactions and Lasting Impressions
The scripted romance also impacted Mohan's family, particularly her father, who expressed his displeasure. Her father even confronted the show's makers about the portrayal of their relationship. Mohan reassured him, jokingly offering to tie a 'rakhi' to Juyal to underscore their platonic bond. Even today, she notes, relatives continue to inquire about their potential marriage, highlighting the lasting public perception created by the show.
Reflecting on the Experience
Looking back, Shakti Mohan holds no resentment towards the show's creators. She understands that such elements are incorporated to enhance entertainment value. She reiterated that neither she nor Raghav Juyal took the on-screen romance personally, always viewing it as a part of the performance for the audience.