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India's glamorous and glitzy film industry has always played an integral part in the lives of its fans, none more so than Diyah Bhatia who wants to get the island swaying to the Bollywood beat.
The music, drama, action and the hugely entertaining dance routines are important factors in the Bollywood film industry's massive appeal.
And Diyah Mahajan Bhatia, a lover of Indian movies and admirer of Bollywood's energetic and graceful dance forms, wasted no time when she moved to Bahrain a year ago in introducing her skills to the island's fitness femmes in the form of Bollywood dance classes.
She said: "Movies are my life! From the age of four or five I have been hooked on to Bollywood.
"I used to imitate the actresses and do exactly as they did and learned all my steps by just watching them."
Diyah, 26, from Salmaniya has been offering Bollywood dancing classes for more than eight months now.
She currently teaches at the Pineapple Spa in Adliya and Fitness First at the World Trade Centre and will soon begin classes at MyGym for children in Seef District.
Diyah said: "Most of the ladies who come for the classes are Bahrainis and they just love it! My largest class is at the Fitness First premises where we have between 20 and 25 ladies coming in for each session."
Her friend and student, Afaf Al Baloshi, 34 from Muharraq has played a pivotal role in helping Diyah set up her classes.
Afaf, a mother of three and an administration co-ordinator at the Ministry of Justice, said: "I used to attend similar classes in Pineapple Spa with another lady. I really enjoyed it as I have always loved watching Indian movies and it also made me lose a lot of weight.
"After I met Diyah, I asked her to try taking classes as she was really good. I rejoined and it has been great. I go back home after my classes and entertain my children showing them the moves.
"I also show my friends and colleagues who all are waiting to try their hand at the experience."
Diyah is a Reebok-certified fitness trainer as well and prior to moving to the island worked as a fitness instructor in India.
She used also be a choreographer for wedding events which is a common form of entertainment at the gatherings.
Diyah hopes to open her own dance school in the kingdom offering the residents a taste of the various gyrations of Indian cinema.
And her ambitions don't stop there. She added: "I am also hoping to maybe get a TV show like the ones that are being broadcast on the Indian channels these days to encourage more people into showcasing their dancing talents."
Aside from the classes, Diyah also takes private classes for ladies. She can be contacted on 36864003.
