MOVING HER WAY TO THE TOP

Though it applies to almost everyone- more so in our society which to a larger extent has not taken a liking to anything and anyone 'unconventional', but the discouragement takes a new dimension particularly when a woman chases her dreams and began to excel. She is not only hindered from doing so but often, even when she proves her potential, she is still judged by the sceptical elements. For everyone out there who is fighting that fight and at the edge to crack, here’s journey of a woman, you could relate to and get inspired from. Without further Ado, let’s know who she is.


Smiley Tanuja Chahar is a surfacing name because she is not only excelling in the field of dance and fitness but also making a name in Bollywood and Punjab industry. She has awed us with her flexibility and stunts as well as left us admire her for her dancing and choreography skills. But has it been path of roses? That can be answered if we could learn more about her and her journey. So shall we?

Getting rejected from a dance performance to be held on the annual day function is what triggered into the mind of a third grader at school to get so good at dancing so that she would get picked as a lead dancer in next annual day function.
“When I was not picked up for the performance on that evening, I came home and cried. My father told me that it was useless to cry and if I really want to dance, I should work for it,” says Smiley.

Born to Gyani Ram Chahar and Bisna Devi Chahar, Smiley was a ordinary girl but time and her zeal put a cape on her shoulder; the incident taught Smiley, to never give up.

Her training started with the dance shows on TV and then came You Tube etc. Although Smiley achieved what she had planned; she got selected to lead in every dance from thereon. But now the passion had kicked in to an irreversible level so she planned to seek professional training.

Around the same time in 2006 when she came to Jammu she finally joined a dance academy. "It used to be difficult initially; inhibition takes time to fade. Also, learning in group does not work smoothly for everyone but at that point it didn't effect me much because I was mad about learning it," shares Smiley.

According to Smiley, there are two individuals who played an important role of wind to set her ship on sail. “I cannot picture my career today if it were not for Amit Dubey, my first trainer whom I credit my flexibility and then Sahil Gill (Shakku) who trained me thereafter and has been the source of inspiration for me. They both strengthened the foundation and shaped my dancing career," tells Smiley.

When Smiley was a little girl she wanted to be in Army like her father but even she couldn't explain how she got lifted and drifted by dance which became her passion and life. Smiley initially participated in many state level competitions and won several awards such as Best dancer of Jammu and Kashmir 2014, Young Women Achiever 2015, Best Choreographer 2016 and 2017 and so on.

Yet for many, dancing was supposed to be part-time and not a full time career. “Success is not a one time shot. When you fail or do not do sufficiently well the first few times, your supporters lose their patience and even the loved ones withdraw their support. For me that acted as a push; pressurizing me to do something better. Even today those ‘nahs’ kicks you inside to turn them at ‘yahs’,” expresses Smiley.

Smiley started posting her videos online and also started giving online auditions. One such audition caught the right eyes which brought Smiley to her rightful place. But that didn’t come as smoothly as it seems in one sentence. Smiley had to go through both external and internal turmoil.

“I was at the verge of depression. The pessimism around you starts engulfing your optimism. Getting rejected and at times not getting a response at all was the hardest. Through everything, positivity is the hardest thing to preserve,” shares Smiley.

But does that ends once you begin living your dreams?
Today, Smiley flaunts having numerous projects at hand that barely leaves a day free for her. She has been working as a choreographer in Punjabi albums along with Bollywood and Punjab film Industry. She also been a judge at various local Dance competition such as ‘Dance ke Super Kids’- an inter school competition.

She is a wild soul determined to make her name shine brighter than ever and so she has undeniably been working her best for it.
“It gives me pleasure to work. The time when there were very few who had faith on me, the time I was shooting in dark by posting those videos has made me value what I have achieved, a long time before I actually achieved it,” shares Smiley.

Back to the question, as per Smiley, the difficulties never ends but that is what keeps the fighter in you on toes.
“Today, when many look up to me, there are many who would talk behind my back, question my success, my talent and even my integrity because they cannot comprehend that a girl can achieve the little I have, on her own,” says Smiley, revealing the fickle mindedness, she has to deal with.

She adds on, “There would be friction, some opposition and drama every time you are in the right direction. At point like that, you need to focus on the bright side and preserve faith in yourself.”

Anyhow, Smiley is living on her own terms today. “I love dance, to visit different places for it. I always find ways to try different cuisines; I am voracious eater, it is good that my routine compensates with my appetite. You would also find me humming and singing occasionally. Bottom line, I try to make the best of each day, every moment,” amuses Smiley.

In near future, Smiley has planned to make her name a brand by launching dance and fitness academy- ‘Dancefit Smiley Zone’.

“Right now I am immensely occupied by work opportunities and I am thoroughly enjoying it but as soon as I can, I will start an academy where not only aspirants could learn but I could also train children who are passionate but cannot afford to get professional training.”

To aspirants, Smiley emphasizes to come out to the world. To them her words are, “It is very important to bring your talent out in the public eyes because only that can help you realize where you stand and how far you have to go. If you are passionate about something and you have faith in yourself and your talent, you need to show it to world; it is like a flower which would survive but would not bloom its best without the sun.”

To women out there, Smiley's words are, "Don't let negative remarks of shallow minded people bring you down. Take the criticism positively and keep improving, keep growing."