Vaibhavi Merchant reacts to her National Award win for Dhindora Baje Re: ‘I didn’t know it was…’

Vaibhavi Merchant wins National Award for Dhindora Baje Re. The Choreographer received the exciting news while traveling to work in London. Vaibhavi was informed about her big achievement by a journalist that the energetic song from Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani had won the Best Choreography award at the 71st National Film Awards, 2025. In an interview with India Today, Vaibhavi revealed she was unaware of the event and was not in the country. According to the choreographer, it was an emotional moment for her. She said, “It all feels so surreal right now. Because I am not in the country, I didn’t know it was happening today. It’s an emotional moment, but it has yet to sink in. I am soon going to be 50, and I think it’s come as a wonderful birthday surprise.”

Vaibhavi Merchant wins National Award for Dhindora Baje Re

Choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant has been honoured with the National Award for the popular track Dhindora Baje Re. This is not the first time Vaibhavi has showcased her talent. Earlier, she was honoured for Dholi Taro from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. However, the excitement remains the same. In the conversation with India Today, Vaibhavi shared what the award means to her. “It’s infused a lot of life back into my work. I’ll be honest, as an artist, I still look at every new project as my first one. I still get those goosebumps and the nervous energy. I still choreograph all my pieces with butterflies in my stomach,” she said.

Vaibhavi further revealed what her work means to her and how dedicated she has been towards it. She added, “For me, entering that rehearsal hall is sacrosanct; it’s my temple, the world I was born into. It’s also the world that brought me up. Dance is something I have known ever since I was a child. Also, because I’ve been trained in Bharatnatyam, any piece that celebrates semi-classical or Indian forms, and is encouraged in the Hindi film industry, becomes special for me.”

All about Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani

For the unversed, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani features an impressive cast including Alia Bhatt, Ranveer Singh, Dharmendra, Anjali Anand, Shabana Azmi, and others. Karan Johar’s directed film revolves around the story of an energetic Punjabi boy and an intellectual Bengali journalist. The 2023 film reportedly earned Rs 153.55 crore at the Indian box office.