The dancer-actor will now be seen in a different avatar as he gears up to host the third season of India’s Best Dramebaaz, airing later this month. And the interesting fact is that Shantanu Maheshwari will be sharing the stage with Sonali Bendre after 18 years and he is pretty excited about it.

Shantanu shares, “I was eight years old when I performed on a dance show which Sonali Bendre was hosting and judging back then. I remember being so excited about it as she was a big childhood favourite of mine. I really loved the way she acted in Sarfarosh. Somehow I would just happen to be a part of every show she was judging — Kya Masti Kya Dhoom, as well as India’s, Got Talent season 1.”

He adds, “She had really complimented me for my act on the show, and I remember her saying that I would go a long way with the determination and potential which she had seen in me. I am very excited to be sharing the screen with her after so many years, and absolutely looking forward to working with her again. And this time I won’t be participating in it, but hosting it.” He even plans to surprise her.

Shantanu has in the past hosted two shows but he believes this to be quite different.  He talks about his preps prior to the show. “I have hosted a couple of projects earlier and I quite enjoy the hosting space. It is something different and challenging I will say, although I am eagerly looking forward to doing this show with children. Children aren’t very easy to deal with; at times they are moody, shy, and each child has been brought up differently, so yes I can just be myself with them as well as explore different emotions, moods and themes.”