Sanjeev Shrivastava, 46, is an electronics professor from Madhya Pradesh. But you may know him better as the dancing "Uncle-ji" who has taken over the Internet. From WhatsApp to Twitter and Facebook, his Govinda-style dance moves have been grabbing eyeballs. His sudden stardom has left him - and his family - overwhelmed.
Two days ago, clips of Mr Shrivastava dancing to "Aap Ke Aa Jane Se" from the 1987 film "Khudgarz" starring Govinda and Neelam started going viral.
#WATCH Vidisha(Madhya Pradesh): Hear from dancing sensation Professor Sanjeev Srivastava on his jig going viral on social media pic.twitter.com/5Yi8yp2uLS
— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2018
The video was shot on May 12 during the ladies' sangeet as a part of his brother-in-law's wedding ceremony in Gwalior. And even though he posted a video of his performance on his YouTube channel, two separate clips from it found their way to WhatsApp, and then Twitter and Facebook.
Srivastava had to take an off from his lectures on Friday just to field calls from friends, relatives and the media. “It’s kind of crazy. Feels wonderful,” Sanjeev said.
During an interaction with news agency, Sanjeev said, "This is an unreal feeling. I can't believe my dance video has gone viral. I thank everyone for the love and support. I have been dancing since 1982 and my idol is Govinda ji."
He added saying that he is hoping that more opportunities would come his way since his dance videos have become popular on the internet.
हमारे विदिशा के भोपाल में कार्यरत प्रोफ़ेसर श्री संजीव श्रीवास्तव जी की ज़िंदादिली ने पूरे भारत में इंटरनेट पर तहलका मचा दिया है। मानो या ना मानो मध्यप्रदेश के पानी में कुछ तो ख़ास बात है... pic.twitter.com/8qM15uZVXF
— ShivrajSingh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) June 1, 2018
His infectious energy and genuine excitement about performing along with his wife, Anjali, has brought joy to thousands. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan even praised him on Twitter, writing in Hindi: "There's something special in MP water."
#WATCH Vidisha(Madhya Pradesh):Dancing sensation Professor Sanjeev Srivastava's wife Anjali reacts on husband's dance going viral on social media pic.twitter.com/lUdYnIMKCN
— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2018
Actors Raveena Tandon and Divya Dutt also praised Sanjeev on the social media.
In a quick chat with media, Govinda, who is in London, said, “I finally saw the videos. I saw how he was dancing and I really liked what he was doing. I have come to know that he is a professor and his name in Sanjeev Shrivastava.
The way he has copied my steps, he has done it so well. He is so much into it. More than half a dozen heroes have copied my steps, and nobody has done it so well! It felt like he was dancing with all his heart and having fun. And his wife also seemed like she was smiling ‘mann-hi-mann mein’. It was a treat watching them dance like this.”
Govinda also shared a message for Sanjeev Shrivastava and everybody who wants to dance but hesitates to do it.
He said, “Dance ki koi Umar nahi hoti. It is a popular saying that whatever comes from heart and whatever comes with pure emotions and feelings are priceless. When he (Shrivastava) was dancing, did he know he was going to get so famous. No, he didn’t. He must have done it just to have fun, and with the way he is dancing, I can see how much involved he is in his dance. You cannot put a price on dance and other things that come from the heart.”
See the tweet of celebs praising dancing uncle:
Wow!!! Ardent Govinda fan!!! Well done https://t.co/Mdo854Wczr
— Divya Dutta (@divyadutta25) May 31, 2018
Faaaaab!!!!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 a big hug to him !!!!😊😊😊👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 https://t.co/IaJRpQ9Xsh
— Raveena Tandon (@TandonRaveena) May 31, 2018
I can see pure happiness on Mr #sanjeevshrivastva s face while he dances... this pure joy is what we actors & performers crave when we let loose in front of the camera, the ability to make others wanna dance just by looking at u is an acquired skill... keep the moves flowing sir. pic.twitter.com/0L3rBGOC2J
— Arjun Kapoor (@arjunk26) June 1, 2018
OMG! I'm legit upset I didn't think of doing this. 🤣Loving your moves and your #NUSH tee ✨@NushBrand https://t.co/A7tnXGLpHL
— Anushka Sharma (@AnushkaSharma) June 1, 2018
