It’s a wise step. A sharp move, alright. And given her reputation, Dr. Khushboo Panchal - broadly celebrated as the “Princess of Kathak” - is pursuing a turn that is strictly in keeping with her discretion and genius. 

Bollywood aspirants hoping to mindlessly imbibe a chunk of Panchal’s skills from her Mumbai chapter won’t see this coming. They could find themselves either delighted or disillusioned, depending on how they are slotted in keeping with Panchal’s unerring gaze. 

“I do interact with aspiring actors, but my focus remains on those students  who are serious about Kathak and ready to go beyond the surface,” says Panchal. “For me, authenticity and depth of training are more important than mere numbers. I do guide those film aspirants who are genuinely interested in understanding the art form at a foundation level.” 

Expanding on her outlook Panchal asserts, “I feel it is important to draw a clear distinction. Today, in a city like Mumbai, Kathak is approached as a short-term skill or a stylistic addition- something to enhance the screen presence or for a brief period of learning. But I can’t agree or come to terms with that viewpoint.”

She adds significantly, “Kathak is not something that can be confined to a few months or treated as a temporary pursuit. It should be approached with sincerity, dedication and a willingness to truly understand its essence. Classical dance is not for a phase, it is a foundation for life. The glamour of the film industry may be momentary, but the depth of Kathak is timeless.”  

A disciple of Guru Dr.Poonam Vyas ji, Panchal has spent over 27 years ardently propagating Kathak across national and global platforms. Based in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, the Founder & Director of ‘Nrityaradhana Nritya Mandir Sanstha’ and Principal of ‘Nrityaradhana Sangeet & Kala Mahavidyalaya,’ Panchal also spotlights her skills as an author and actress.

Furthermore, she actively supports women emboldenment as Speaker and Member of ‘Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh,’ conducting women-focussed initiatives and awareness sessions, and organising ‘Mahila Aatmraksha Shivir’ (self-defense camps) - all completely free of cost.

“One of the biggest challenges I see is the confusion between empowerment and superficial freedom,” says Panchal. “Women are encouraged to be independent, but at the same time there seems to be a growing disconnect from values, identity and inner strength. Real empowerment is not about imitation or visibility.” 

Although ‘Nrityaradhana’ threw open its doors in 2012, the Mumbai chapter flagged off only in 2024. Shedding light on the delay, Panchal “I strongly believe that Kathak in its purest form requires the presence of a Guru, so I choose not to expand it in a commercial manner,” says Panchal. “The decision to start a Mumbai branch was not the direct outcome of any one influence. But it came about with the desire to expand organically. Even today I conduct sessions in Mumbai selectively, and at times, online. But at every point I ensure that the quality of training and the personal training with my students remains intact.”   

However, there is little denying a terpsichorean factor from Mumbai that deeply influenced her narrative - the late Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan.

“I met Saroj ji during my Ph.D work,” she says “Since thumri forms a beautiful bridge between classical Kathak and its expressive adaptation in cinema, that interaction became very meaningful for me.” 

Asserting that Khan was undoubtedly an “important inspiration in my artistic journey,”  Panchal states that it was the emotional depth in her work, expression and abhinaya that added another dimension to her understanding of dance,  endearing her to the late legend.

“Saroj ji’s contribution was that she not only shaped cinematic dance, but also carried elements of classical grace into a wider audience,” says Panchal. “I feel honoured to say that I was a Gandha Bandhan Shishya under Saroj ji. Being in Mumbai where classical and cinematic worlds often intersect, somewhere that connection resonates with my work. For me, real success is not about visibility. It is about how deeply the art form is understood and taken forward.”   

 -        Ajit Ramachanddran