Vaibhavi Merchant

Vaibhavi Merchant is an Indian dance choreographer working in Bollywood films. She won the National Film Award for Best Choreography twice for the song "Dholi Taaro Dhol Baaje" from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam in 1999 and for the song "Dhindhora Baje Re" from Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani in 2023.

She began her career by assisting her uncle Chinni Prakash. In 1999, she did her first solo work for the choreography of the song Dhol Baaje for the film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. She won the National Film Award for Best Choreography for her work.

She had her acting debut in a Malayalam film Snehapoorvam Anna in 2000.

She took a short break from the industry and then returned with the song O Ri Chhori in the 2001 film Lagaan. She then choreographed Kajra Re from Bunty Aur Babli (2005), which fetched her several awards. She continued to choreograph selected numbers in films such as Devdas, Baghban, Fida, Dhoom (as well as its two sequels), Veer-Zaara, Aaja Nachle, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and Aiyyaa. She also choreographed the Australian musical The Merchants of Bollywood, a musical written by Toby Gough about her family.

She has been a judge on various television dance reality shows like Nach Baliye 3, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (season 3), Zara Nachke Dikha 2, and Just Dance.

Filmography

As choreographer Merchant with Madhuri Dixit whom she choreographed in Aaja Nachle. 1999: Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (Dhol Baaje) 2001: Albela 2001: Lagaan 2002: Filhaal 2002: Na Tum Jaano Na Hum 2002: Devdas 2002: Deewangee 2002: Karz: The Burden of Truth 2002: Guru Mahaguru 2003: Dil Ka Rishta 2003: Dum 2003: Kash Aap Hamare Hote 2003: Haasil 2003: Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost 2004: Aetbaar 2004: Rudraksh 2004: Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities 2004: Shaadi Ka Laddoo 2004: Garv 2004: Kyun! Ho Gaya Na... 2004: Fida 2004: Dhoom 2004: Rakht 2004: Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa 2004: Madhoshi 2004: Tumsa Nahin Dekha 2004: Veer Zaara 2004: Swades 2004: Dil Maange More 2005: Chehraa 2005: Bunty Aur Babli 2005: No Entry 2005: Ramji Londonwaley 2005: Athadu (Telugu) 2005: Shaadi No. 1 2005: Neal 'n' Nikki 2005: Shikhar 2006: Rang De Basanti 2006: Humko Tumse Pyaar Hai 2006: Fanaa 2006: Krrish 2006: Umrao Jaan 2006: Baabul 2006: Chamki Chameli 2006: Dhoom 2 2007: Marigold 2007: Heyy Babyy 2007: Aaja Nachle 2007: Jhoom Barabar Jhoom 2007: Ta Ra Rum Pum 2008: Love Story 2050 2008: Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi 2008: Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic 2008: Bhoothnath 2008: Dostana 2008: Tashan 2009: Dil Bole Hadippa 2009: Luck By Chance 2009: Delhi-6 2009: Kurbaan 2009: Kambakkht Ishq 2010: No Problem 2010: Band Baaja Baaraat 2011: Don 2 2011: Game 2011: Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara 2011: Ladies vs Ricky Bahl 2011: Bodyguard 2012: Aiyyaa 2012: Ek Tha Tiger 2012: Jab Tak Hai Jaan 2013: Bombay Talkies 2013: Bhaag Milkha Bhaag 2013: Dhoom 3 2016: Fan 2016: Sultan 2016: Befikre 2017: Jab Harry Met Sejal 2017: OK Jaanu 2017: Tiger Zinda Hai 2018: Hichki 2018: Loveratri 2018: Naa Peru Surya (Telugu Film) 2018: Bharat 2019: Saaho 2019: Dabangg 3 2022: Radhe Shyam 2023: Pathaan (Besharam Rang) 2023: Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (Tum Kya Mile, Kudmayi & Dhindhora Baje Re) 2023: Jawan (Not Ramaiya Vastavaiya) 2023: Tiger 3 (Leke Prabhu Ka Naam & Ruaan)

Acting Credits

2000: Snehapoorvam Anna (Malayalam Film) 2012: Student of the Year (special appearance in the song Disco Deewane)

Awards

2000: National Film Award for Best Choreography – Dholi Taaro Dhol Baaje from (Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam) 2006: IIFA Award for Best Choreography – Kajra Re from (Bunty Aur Babli) 2006: Zee Cine Award for Best Choreography – Kajra Re from (Bunty Aur Babli) 2006: Bollywood Movie Award for Best Choreography – Kajra Re from (Bunty Aur Babli) 2006: Producers Guild Film Award for Best Choreography – Kajra Re from (Bunty Aur Babli) 2008: IIFA Award for Best Choreography – Aaja Nachle from (Aaja Nachle) 2023: National Film Award for Best Choreography – Dhindhora Baje Re (Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani)