Smilly Suri : “What’s Wrong With A Sport Which Makes Women Feel Sexy?”

Smilly Suri from the lineage of Mahesh Bhatt family who has turned out to be a dance prodigy, has recently started her school ‘Pole Star’ where she teaches pole, chair tricks to empower women and generally help them tackle various health issues like thyroid, menopause, PCOD. She believes that she is part of a bigger plan. This pretty girl who is the daughter of Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt’s sister and also sister of Mohit Suri tells JAYVEE that age is no bar at all to learn a skill.

What inspired you to take to the pole as a profession?
I danced before I walked, my mother told me. I had dabbled with every form of dance from childhood. From being an instructor with Shiamak Davar, to Ballroom with Sandip Soparrkar, to Salsa with my husband Vineet Bangera. I remember that when I was in ‘Nach Baliye’ I was put on top of 10 feet high speakers to dance, and that’s when I realised I had vertigo. It got the better of me. So I decided to fight it. I took up Aerial Silk and fought my fear of free falling and heights. Then once in Dubai at Pole Fit, I was supposed to do a private class with an Aerial instructor who accidentally fell ill. This was in December 2015 and in walked a pole teacher as her replacement. Call it a spell of fate or destiny, I found my purpose. I was pole hooked and I loved the feminine energy and strength. I could swing, twirl and feel strong.

Did you begin your career as a dance teacher?
Like I said earlier, I was teaching at the age of 16, thanks to my mentor Shiamak Davar. I earned all my pocket money teaching dance to people of all age groups, then acting happened and I lost touch with dance. When I learnt pole fitness recently in Singapore, I realized that pole dancing is one sport that empowers you. I wanted to empower women and make them feel body confident, aware of their sensuality and love themselves for what they are. So I decided to go back to teaching.

Do you believe that teaching dance is your calling?
I believe I am part of a bigger plan. Empowering people is my purpose, so automaticlly mentoring and teaching dance to them is my purpose. By starting my pole dancing school Polestar, I want to bring about a pole revolution in India, to empower people, especially women. I felt this empowerment when I learnt and trained in pole art and pole dancing and pole fitness. At that time I was going through severe depression and was not strong at all. Little did I realise it was really my tapasya and I had to go through it to emerge and become what I am today.

As an actor, you made a big mark with Kalyug. Why did you not pursue acting?
Acting will always be my first love, I am still waiting for a good role to come by. But I refuse to go for auditions and be judged. I would rather spend my time on my pole and feel good. But yes, I am still waiting to be cast in a role that helps me make a mark.

Is pole now also accepted as sport in Olympics?
Pole is officially a sport in the Olympics. I wish I had discovered it earlier and I wish it would be taught in schools like gymnastics. I am so excited its getting the respect and acceptance it deserves. I am thrilled!

Pole is considered as an art of titillation. Did this not deter you from taking it on professionally?
Well we are the land of the ‘Kamasutra’. What’s wrong with a sport making women feel sexy. Yes it got badnaam like kathak and belly dancing did in the Moghal era. Stripers are associated with bars, but they are highly skilled and fit. I am glad it’s a sport now, so it will get the respect it deserves.

Your students are of varied age and social strata and body type. Isn’t pole a physically demanding sport? Is this right for elder women?
I have a 60 year old who is one of the best students. Age is no bar to learn a skill. I would consider myself fit if at 60 I could do a handstand or a head stand.Our conditioning needs to change. Fit is no longer about how skinny we are or if we are size zero. It’s about how fit and skilled we are. In Singapore, one of my teachers was 50 and a cancer survivor. She was so motivating. So there you go. Age is not a deterrent to start or pursue any kind of activity. Age is in the mind.

You have gone on record that you will teach pole to your brothers Mohit Suri and Emraan Hashmi too. Can men be seasoned for pole?
Yes men pole too. The Chinese pole is all about men doing tricks. Abroad so many men pole and they are strong and fit. I do intend to start pole fitness for men soon. Yes I will rope in my brothers Mohit Suri and Emraan Hashmi. They must realize what they have been missing out on.

Why is that while doing pole women need to wear skimpy and scanty clothes?
In pole it is the important parts of the body that grab and grip the pole. That’s why in Malkhamb the sportsmen wear langots and in gymnastics we wear leotards. Similarly, if parts of your thigh or stomach had to grip the pole it would be slippery if they had cloth on it and they would slip and fall. It’s not easy gripping the pole, controlling the pole and holding your body and make it look good.

You have gotten done 4 tattoos in one sitting.
A tattoo or getting inked shows serious commitment. I always wanted one but was too afraid and too confused about when and what to get done. I felt it would make people judge me. I was scared of the pain and thought I would be ruining my body. I’d say that Smilly Suri who has a school called Polestar wants to be known as the mother of the pole revolution in India. I am changed and empowered enough to overcome all fears and get done even 4 tattoos in one session.