Shakti Mohan Reveals She Refused Payment for Choreographing ‘Nainowale Ne’ in Padmaavat
Dancer and choreographer Shakti Mohan recently shared an interesting behind-the-scenes story about working with celebrated filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali on the song Nainowale Ne from the film Padmaavat. The song, which featured actors Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, marked Shakti’s first project as a choreographer.
Speaking about the opportunity, Shakti admitted that the experience felt overwhelming because it was her first major assignment in choreography and it involved collaborating with one of the most renowned filmmakers in the industry.
“My first song as a choreographer was with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It was ‘Nainowale Ne’ from the film Padmaavat. There, I freaked out because I got the chance to work with Bhansali in my first song as a choreographer,” she said.
Refusing Payment for the Project
Shakti revealed that she made an unusual decision while working on the song — she refused to accept payment. According to her, the opportunity to learn from Bhansali itself was invaluable.
She recalled telling the filmmaker that she felt she should be paying him instead.
“I refused to be paid for that song. I told him that ‘I should pay you because I’m learning from you.’ It was a big deal for me. So when he spoke about money, I said, ‘Please, mat dijiye mujhe.’ I will always do it for free for him because you are getting to work with such a genius.”
Bhansali’s Strict Working Style
Shakti also spoke about Bhansali’s reputation for being extremely disciplined and detail-oriented on set. She described him as a filmmaker with a very clear vision who expects complete focus and patience from everyone working with him.
“He is very strict. Even if somebody breathes around him, he will turn and give them a look,” she said.
According to Shakti, the entire team had to remain alert and attentive while working with him, as Bhansali carefully supervises every aspect of his projects, from performances to the smallest visual details.
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A Memorable Career Moment
Despite the pressure, Shakti described the experience as one of the most significant moments of her career. Being able to choreograph a song in a major film like Padmaavat and collaborate with a filmmaker known for his grand cinematic style gave her invaluable exposure and learning.
Released in 2018, Padmaavat became one of Bhansali’s most visually celebrated films, and the song Nainowale Ne remains popular among fans for its graceful choreography and emotional depth.
For Shakti Mohan, the project was more than just a professional milestone — it was a learning opportunity she continues to cherish.
