Choreographer Ritika Arora: I would love to combine dance and acting in Bollywood

Ritika Arora, a passionate dancer since childhood, dreams of making her mark in Bollywood. While her primary focus has been classical dance, particularly Kathak, she has always harboured a deep love for Bollywood dance. If given the opportunity, Ritika would gladly explore acting in roles that involve dance. She explains, “Although my main focus has been on Kathak, my passion for Bollywood dance has always been strong. I’ve always enjoyed blending Bollywood elements into my choreographies, particularly the emotional storytelling aspect that is central to Bollywood performances. Dance, much like acting, is about conveying emotions and telling a story through movement. This is something I emphasise in my teaching and choreography — helping my students not only master technique but also learn to express themselves emotionally, as Bollywood actors do in their performances. In the future, I would love to explore opportunities that combine both dance and acting. Working in Bollywood or projects that fuse these elements would be an exciting prospect, as it would allow me to expand my creative horizons further.”

Her admiration for Bollywood is evident, and her biggest inspiration in the industry is the legendary Madhuri Dixit. She reflects, “I’ve always had a deep admiration for Bollywood, and Madhuri Dixit has been one of my greatest inspirations. She has always been an icon for me — not just because of her exceptional dancing but also for her grace, versatility, and screen presence. Her ability to convey emotions through dance, combined with her technical mastery, has always captivated me. Madhuri truly represents the perfect fusion of dance and acting in Bollywood, and she continues to motivate me.”



Ritika’s dance journey began in her childhood in Amritsar, Punjab, where her love for dance was ignited by Bollywood and Punjabi performances. She recalls, “When I was around 10, I became completely captivated by dance, especially Bollywood and Punjabi styles. It quickly became more than just a hobby — it became a passion that I felt deeply connected to. To make it a professional career, I pursued formal education in dance, earning both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Kathak from Guru Nanak Dev University. This provided me with a strong foundation in the art form. Alongside my degrees, I participated in numerous workshops, masterclasses, and performances to refine my technique and choreography.”

Since then, she has been teaching dance for over a decade. She started her career in 2014 as a school dance teacher and later became a studio manager and choreographer at a dance academy. She shares, “Over the years, I’ve worked with many schools and institutions, helping students of all ages and abilities develop their dance skills. I’ve also been involved in choreography for various events, including corporate functions, award shows, and weddings. One of my proudest achievements was being part of the team that choreographed a Guinness World Record-breaking performance with 10,000 children in 2018.”

Currently, Ritika is collaborating with renowned Bollywood choreographer Karan Pangali, who has worked with top Bollywood celebrities. She expresses, “Working with Karan has deepened my passion for dance and choreography. It’s been an enriching experience, and I am excited to continue sharing the art of dance with the world.”

In 2022, she moved to the UK, driven by her desire to broaden her artistic scope and connect with a diverse, international audience. She says, “Relocating to the UK was a decision motivated by my goal to expand my artistic horizons and engage with a global community. The UK offers a platform for cross-cultural collaboration, which allows me to introduce and promote Indian dance forms to a wider audience. I aim to create a global hub for creativity, community building, and cultural exchange through dance. Currently, I’m actively involved in projects here, spreading Indian culture, but if I am offered a good project in India, I would love to shuttle between both countries.”