Voice of Rhythm with Sandip SoparrkarCurtains Close on Arts in Motion

 

 

Arts in Motion was more than just a dance studio in Mumbai; it was an iconic creative sanctuary that nurtured dancers, artists, and dreamers for 25 remarkable years. Founded by Anchal Gupta, the studio became one of Mumbai’s most loved spaces for learning and celebrating diverse dance forms. From training aspiring performers to hosting Bollywood stars and international artists, Arts in Motion created a vibrant community built on passion, artistry, and love for dance. It’s warm and welcoming atmosphere inspired countless dancers to pursue their dreams and build successful careers. Even as its doors close, the legacy of Arts in Motion will continue to live on in the hearts and journeys of everyone it touched. Anchal Gupta pours her heart:

 

I feel an overwhelming sense of loss. On a personal level, Arts in Motion is all I’ve known throughout my adult life. It has been my passion, my purpose, and a huge part of my identity. It wasn’t just a studio, it was a home where a community was built, lives were transformed, careers were born, and hearts found healing. Letting it go truly breaks my heart.

But somewhere deeper, on a spiritual level, I also feel acceptance. I believe life moves us toward new journeys for a reason. Perhaps there is a higher purpose waiting for me ahead, something else I’m meant to devote my life to.

Did you ever imagine that Arts in Motion would become such a respected space for dancers and Bollywood celebrities?

Honestly, never. I only had a small dream, to create a space for dancers and dance lovers, a place where different dance forms could exist together under one roof. Every single day, I was driven only by my passion for dance. I feel deeply grateful that dancers embraced the space with so much love and that it eventually became something so meaningful for so many people.

 

We were among the first. The first to introduce and nurture forms like salsa, belly dance, capoeira, aerial arts, and so much more in a dedicated studio environment. That itself made Arts in Motion unique. But beyond that, the studio was built with love and run with love every single day. The goal was never purely commercial. It was always about dance, dancers, and the joy of movement.

 

There are countless memories. So many students tell me today that they became teachers, opened their own studios, or travelled abroad for training because of the confidence and foundation they found here. Some became actors, some built entire careers through dance. What touches me the most is when students tell me that dance became their family’s livelihood, that they bought their first television, their first car, or supported their homes through what they learned here. It makes me feel incredibly blessed that in some small way, I could contribute positively to someone’s life journey.

 

Some of the fondest memories come from the rehearsal days of film Brahmastra. The entire team, especially Ayan Mukerji and Ranbir Kapoor, absolutely loved the space. They rehearsed across our studios for almost two years, and those moments remain very special to me. Another unforgettable experience was when Rekha rehearsed for her first public IIFA performance. She was so warm and graceful. She would sit with everyone, sing with us, and carry this ethereal presence. My mother is a huge admirer of hers, and when she visited the studio, Rekha ji told her, “I’m so impressed with your daughter and so proud of what she’s doing.” That moment will stay with me forever. She also made us sit and watch her full rehearsal performance, it was magical.

 

Over the years, Ranveer Singh frequently rehearsed at the studio, as did Kangana Ranaut and many other Bollywood stars. We were fortunate to host incredible international artists, including Debbie Allen and Jason Samuels Smith, what always stood out was how warm, humble, and appreciative they were of the space.

 

We simply kept dancing together and enjoying the journey. Everyone was welcome, all teachers, all styles, all energies. The studio naturally evolved into a place that hosted some of the best talent because we never tried to make it overly rigid or commercial from a business perspective. It was always about creating a space where art could breathe freely.

 

The struggles were endless. Coming from a business family and having an MBA from the UK, choosing to start a dance studio at that time was considered unconventional. There was no existing business model to follow, everything was trial and error.

Our first studio was in Sion, and convincing people to travel there for something like a belly dance class wasn’t easy. At that time, many preferred learning in their living rooms rather than joining studio classes. Real estate in Mumbai is extremely expensive, especially when you dedicate it to something artistic instead of commercially profitable.

 

There were financial struggles, marketing challenges, personal sacrifices, and societal judgments. Being a single woman trying to build a life on her own terms while pursuing dance professionally came with constant challenges. But despite everything, I kept going because I loved it deeply.

 

Devotion and dedication. Today, very few people want to spend years mastering an art form. Everything has become fast-paced, workshop culture, instant content, social media reels. But true artistry takes years of discipline, physical effort, emotional investment, and sacrifice. Technique gives freedom, but the modern pace of life often doesn’t allow for that kind of long-term commitment anymore.

 

Arts in Motion also had the initiative “Dance with Joy.” Tell us about it.

“Dance with Joy” was our effort to heal through dance. Every year, we worked with differently-abled communities, cancer patients, children with autism, wheelchair users, and many others. It was always an incredibly humbling experience.

What moved me deeply was the support we received from teachers, dancers, artists, and even Bollywood celebrities who came forward wholeheartedly to contribute. Those moments reminded me that dance is not only performance, it is also compassion, connection, and healing.

As Arts in Motion takes its final bow after 25 unforgettable years, its legacy will continue to live on through every dancer it inspired, every artist it nurtured, and every life it quietly transformed.