Manish Chauhan in Call Me Dancer (David R. Moss/Abramorama)

Call Me Dancer follows the rise of Manish Chauhan, a dancer from Mumbai who dreams of making a splash in the dance world. The documentary spans many years and countries, tracking his trials, tribulations, and triumphs.

Manish’s story mirrors many of those in India whose families come from lower-income communities where a career in the arts is considered unrealistic. His parents spend most of their earnings to send him to college, hoping he can work a stable office job. However, Manish’s aspirations are set on dancing. What starts as an interest in acrobatic breakdancing quickly develops into a passion for ballet and contemporary dance. Interestingly, the film is executive produced by international popstar Jay Sean, whose rise to fame mirrors Manish’s.

Yehuda Maor, a 70-year-old Israeli dance instructor, becomes a central figure in Manish’s development. A veteran of the art form, Yehuda has performed worldwide as part of the Bat-Dor Dance Company. Now, in his later years, he works with the emerging talent at the DanceWorx Performing Arts Academy in Mumbai, and has taken Manish and another student, Amir, under his wing. He relentlessly trains them, intending to send them abroad to dance with professional companies—Amir goes on to train with the prestigious Royal Ballet Theater, the first Indian to ever do so.

Meanwhile, Manish is energized by Yehuda to improve every day. The teacher is instrumental in developing Manish’s dancing career, and inspires Manish to pursue dancing as a career over academics. For Manish, the stakes are high. His parents have financial troubles of their own and hope to retire back to their village soon. A lot of pressure and responsibility rests on his shoulders to make a career out of dancing and prove that it isn’t just a hobby for the wealthy.

The dynamic cinematography creates a strong sense of realism, but the narrative structure mirrors that of a hero’s journey. The filmmakers capture many of his achievements, such as winning over his parents and landing a movie role. These moments are expertly edited to contrast his financial and physical struggles. Directors Leslie Shampaine and Pip Gilmour take us on a roller coaster of emotions before delivering a heartwarming conclusion.

Call Me Dancer provides a glimpse into the numerous challenges people face when pursuing their passion as their profession. It also underlines the importance of hard work and the love of the art form, while serving as a beacon of inspiration for struggling artists everywhere. For those who also want to watch a fictionalized version of this story, check out Netflix’s Yeh Ballet, starring Manish as himself.