Shakti Mohan Breaks Silence on Scripted Romance With Raghav Juyal, Says Family Was Upset

Dancer and choreographer Shakti Mohan has addressed long-standing speculation about her on-screen chemistry with Raghav Juyal during their time on Dance Plus, revealing that the widely loved romantic angle between them was largely scripted.

In a candid conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Shakti clarified that their real-life bond was rooted in friendship, not romance.

“We Would Fight Like Brother and Sister”

Reflecting on their dynamic before the show, Shakti said they shared a casual, sibling-like rapport.

“Before the show, we were very normal friends—we would fight like brother and sister. Then suddenly, they started creating a romantic angle. It was scripted that he would tease me. It was a very weird transition for us.”

She added that despite the narrative presented on screen, both she and Raghav maintained clear personal boundaries and never viewed the pairing romantically.

“I Wasn’t Comfortable”: Kiss Moment Left Her Uneasy

Shakti also spoke about a specific on-stage moment that drew attention—a kiss segment that she says was pre-planned without her full awareness.

“There was even a kiss moment created. Honestly, I didn’t know about it. I was told something like—if this happens, Raghav will kiss you. I was like, why? Why is this happening?”

She admitted that she felt uncomfortable but went along with it at the time.

“I’m a very obedient person and at that time, I didn’t stand my ground. My parents were watching. But I still did it—and you can see how uncomfortable I was.”

Shakti further revealed that filmmaker and show mentor Remo D’Souza encouraged her to go ahead with the moment during the shoot.

Family Reaction and Public Perception

The portrayal didn’t sit well with her family, particularly her father, who questioned the show’s makers.

“My father was upset. He even came to the show and questioned the makers—why are you showing this?”

Shakti said she reassured her family that there was nothing romantic between them, even joking:

“I told him there’s nothing like that, I can even tie him a rakhi.”

Despite this, the on-screen narrative had a lasting impact. She noted that relatives still ask her mother about a possible marriage with Raghav, highlighting how convincingly the storyline resonated with viewers.

“It Was Just for Entertainment”

Looking back, Shakti emphasized that she holds no resentment about how things unfolded. She acknowledged that such creative choices are often made to enhance viewer engagement.

“I don’t think it was wrong. Makers will do whatever to make it entertaining. It doesn’t have to be taken personally. Neither he nor I saw it that way. It was just for entertainment.”

She also praised Raghav, describing him as “exceptional” and someone with a unique perspective, adding that their bond remains respectful and genuine off-screen.