Jaaved Jaafferi Credits Global and Indian Legends for Inspiring His Dance Career

As he prepares to return to television as a judge on India’s Best Dancer Season 5, veteran actor, dancer and entertainer Jaaved Jaafferi is reflecting on the artists whose performances helped shape his understanding of dance and stagecraft.

For Jaafferi, the journey began during an era when access to international entertainment was limited. The arrival of VHS tapes proved to be a turning point, exposing him to some of the world’s most celebrated performers and introducing him to styles of movement that would leave a lasting impression.

Speaking about the artists who influenced him, Jaafferi said, “When we got access to VHS (Video Home System), we started seeing international dance and were exposed to it. The people I admired were Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, and later the ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov. Then, of course, Michael Jackson as a performer. These were very prominent performers whom I saw and was very inspired by.”

While international stars expanded his horizons, Jaafferi says some of his strongest inspirations came from Indian cinema. Among them was Bollywood’s charismatic showman Shammi Kapoor, whose effortless connection with music left a deep impact on him.

“From the Indian perspective, I used to love Shammi Kapoor. Even though he wasn’t a structured dancer in the formal sense, his body had movement and music embedded in it. The way he used music was incredible,” he said.

Over the years, Jaafferi continued to follow performers who brought innovation and individuality to dance, particularly admiring artists who redefined movement for newer generations.

“Later on, of course, I loved Prabhu Deva and Hrithik Roshan. These are the people I have liked over the years,” he added.

The actor also acknowledged the contribution of choreographers who have influenced Indian dance and cinema, praising the creative vision of Prabhu Deva and Raju Sundaram for their distinctive approach to choreography and musical storytelling.Having spent decades entertaining audiences across film, television and live performances, Jaafferi remains one of India’s most recognisable dance personalities. As he returns to mentor and judge aspiring talent on India’s Best Dancer Season 5, he continues to draw inspiration from the legendary performers whose artistry first sparked his love for dance.

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