Vaibhavi Merchant is a renowned Indian dance choreographer who has made a significant impact in the Bollywood film industry. As the granddaughter of the accomplished choreographer B. Hiralal, she has inherited a strong foundation in dance and has built upon it with her own unique style.
Vaibhavi began her career by assisting her uncle, the talented Chinni Prakash, and soon made her acting debut in the Malayalam film Snehapoorvam Anna. However, it was her solo work on the song "Dhol Baaje" in the film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam that brought her into the spotlight, earning her a National Film Award for her exceptional choreography.
After taking a brief hiatus, Vaibhavi returned to the industry with the song "'O Ri Chhori'" in the 2001 film Lagaan, which marked the beginning of a successful streak of choreographed numbers in films such as Bunty Aur Babli, Devdas, Baghban, Fida, Dhoom, Veer Zaara, Aaja Nachle, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, and Aiyyaa.
In addition to her work in Bollywood films, Vaibhavi has also choreographed the Australian musical The Merchants of Bollywood, a musical written by Toby Gough that tells the story of her family's legacy in dance.
Vaibhavi has also ventured into television, serving as a judge on popular dance shows such as Nach Baliye 3, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (season 3),Zara Nach Ke Dikha 2, and Just Dance. Her expertise and passion for dance have made her a respected figure in the industry, and her contributions continue to inspire and entertain audiences worldwide.
