Karisma Kapoor recalls Shahid Kapoor dancing behind her in 'Le Gayi'
Synopsis
Long before 'Kabir Singh' and 'Haider', Shahid Kapoor was dancing anonymously in the background of Karisma Kapoor's own songs. Her on-air recall on India's Best Dancer Season 5 — triggered by a contestant's similar backstory — is a rare, first-person account of just how far one of Bollywood's most bankable stars has travelled.
Key Takeaways
Karisma Kapoor revealed on India's Best Dancer Season 5 that Shahid Kapoor once danced behind her as a background dancer.
Shahid appeared in the song 'Le Gayi' from 'Dil To Pagal Hai' ( 1997 ) and also behind Aishwarya Rai in 'Kahin Aag Lage Lag Jaaye' from 'Taal' .
Shahid was part of choreographer Shiamak Davar's dance troupe during the 1990s before his acting debut.
He made his Bollywood debut in 2003 with 'Ishq Vishk' and went on to star in 'Kabir Singh' , 'Haider' , and 'Udta Punjab' .
Shahid is currently preparing for his upcoming film 'Cocktail 2' , co-starring Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna .
Bollywood actor and India's Best Dancer Season 5 judge Karisma Kapoor has recalled how Shahid Kapoor once performed as a background dancer behind her in the iconic song 'Le Gayi' from 'Dil To Pagal Hai', drawing a heartfelt parallel between Shahid's journey and that of a contestant on the show. The revelation came during an upcoming episode of the dance reality series, set to air shortly.
What Karisma Said on the Show
The moment was triggered when contestant Prince revealed his own past as a background dancer. Visibly moved, Karisma connected his story to Shahid's, saying: 'Ek actor ne mere hi ek song mein mere piche as a background dancer, dance kiya tha aur voh theh Shahid Kapoor; aur aaj aap dekhiye Shahid Kapoor kaha tak pahuch gaye hain and I see those same qualities in you.' The remark drew an emotional response from the set.
Shahid Kapoor's Background Dancer Days
Before rising to Bollywood stardom, Shahid Kapoor was part of choreographer Shiamak Davar's celebrated dance troupe during the 1990s, regularly appearing as a background dancer in film songs. Beyond 'Le Gayi' — the foot-tapping number from the 1997 blockbuster starring Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit, and Karisma — he was also seen dancing behind Aishwarya Rai in 'Kahin Aag Lage Lag Jaaye' from the film 'Taal'. These early appearances were a far cry from the leading-man roles that would define his career.
From Debut to Bollywood Stardom
Shahid made his acting debut in 2003 with 'Ishq Vishk', opposite Amrita Rao and Shenaz Treasurywala. He went on to establish himself as one of Hindi cinema's most versatile performers through films including 'Jab We Met', 'Kaminey', 'Haider', 'Udta Punjab', and the blockbuster 'Kabir Singh'. The arc — from anonymous dancer in the background to marquee star — is a rarely documented chapter of his career that Karisma's candid remark brought back into public conversation.
The Kapoor Connection and What's Next
Notably, Shahid shared a long-term relationship with Karisma's younger sister, actress Kareena Kapoor, through much of the early 2000s. The two parted ways in 2007. On the professional front, Shahid is currently gearing up for 'Cocktail 2', which also stars Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna. Karisma's on-air tribute to his journey adds a warm, full-circle dimension to a career that began quite literally in the shadows.
Point of View
His arc is a useful counter-narrative, even if it is now being surfaced on a ratings-driven reality show rather than in serious film journalism.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which song did Shahid Kapoor dance behind Karisma Kapoor as a background dancer?
Shahid Kapoor danced behind Karisma Kapoor in the song 'Le Gayi' from the 1997 film 'Dil To Pagal Hai', which starred Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit, and Karisma Kapoor. Karisma herself recalled this on India's Best Dancer Season 5.
When did Karisma Kapoor reveal this on India's Best Dancer Season 5?
The revelation is set to air in an upcoming episode of India's Best Dancer Season 5, recorded around 26 May 2025. It was prompted by contestant Prince disclosing his own background as a background dancer.
What was Shahid Kapoor doing before his Bollywood debut?
Before his 2003 debut in 'Ishq Vishk', Shahid Kapoor was part of choreographer Shiamak Davar's dance troupe in the 1990s, performing as a background dancer in several Bollywood songs including tracks from 'Dil To Pagal Hai' and 'Taal'.
What is Shahid Kapoor's upcoming film?
Shahid Kapoor is currently preparing for 'Cocktail 2', which also stars Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna. No release date has been announced yet.
What is the connection between Karisma Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor off screen?
Shahid Kapoor was in a long-term relationship with Karisma's younger sister, actress Kareena Kapoor, during the early 2000s. The two reportedly dated for several years before parting ways in 2007.
