Suresh Mukund
The King of Dreams, Dance, and Determination
By Diya Vora
There’s something about sibling rivalry that brings out the best and boldest in people. Whether it’s a contest over who can run faster or who can snag the last slice of pizza, siblings are natural competitors. But sometimes, this drive to outdo each other turns into something far bigger, it fuels ambition, creativity, and a passion to push boundaries. For Suresh Mukund, what started as an innocent urge to outshine his brother sparked a fire within him, eventually launching him into international stardom.
Getting inspired by Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan, Suresh began his dance journey at just 12 years old. Watching his brother enjoy popularity during school days made him feel a flicker of insecurity, but everything changed the day he saw Hrithik Roshan on television. Captivated, he began imitating him, participating in school performances that unknowingly became the first steps towards his future in the dance world.
It was during his college years that Suresh decided to pursue dance professionally. Dancing had boosted his confidence and won him a loyal fan base. Not being academically inclined and having little interest in a conventional job, he leaned toward creating artistic concepts and earning recognition for his talent. Spending almost a year listening to music and watching dance videos in his father’s office, Suresh realized he wanted to dedicate his life to dance and dreamed of becoming a choreographer in the film industry.
Performing on national television and representing India at the World Hip Hop Dance Championship in 2012 were pivotal moments that solidified his decision. They gave him the confidence to embrace dance not just as a passion but as a career.
Winning the World of Dance Championship in 2019 became one of the biggest milestones of his life. Reflecting on his journey, Suresh shares that the biggest challenge has been maintaining the identity of his dance crew as a brand.
Over the years, people have come and gone, dancers have joined, performed, and moved on. In fact, over the past 20 years, from the early days of ‘Suresh n Group’ to ‘Fictitious Group & SNV Crew’ to what eventually became The Kings, more than a thousand performers have been part of this incredible journey.
Along with maintaining the crew’s identity, Suresh also strives to keep the team motivated, providing them with financial support and opportunities. A competition may last three months, but reaching that stage requires years of dedication behind the scenes. While choreographing a dance might take just a few days, building a strong, standout crew demands years of hard work.
One of the toughest challenges during competitions was standing up against the world’s best choreographers and dancers. Specializing in Bollywood and Hip-Hop, Suresh had to fuse both styles masterfully to hold his ground against seasoned performers. It was his unwavering belief in himself and his vision that helped him accomplish what many can only dream of.
Suresh points out how today’s young dancers face a different kind of challenge, the easy access to fame. Social media has made it easier than ever for dancers to gain popularity, but maintaining that fame is another story. Every year, new faces go viral, and the competition to stay relevant becomes tougher. Earlier, fame was earned through hard work and achievements, but now, sometimes one viral video is enough to thrust someone into the spotlight.
Had it not been for the unwavering support of his father, there would likely have been no Kings United, no World Championship title, and no story to inspire generations. His father, having struggled himself to succeed, became Suresh’s biggest support, financially, emotionally, and professionally. From funding early performances to securing studios, Suresh’s father made it possible for him to pursue his dreams.
One of the most iconic moments in Suresh’s career came when the Bollywood film “ABCD 2” was based on his real-life journey. At just 24 years old, Suresh was possibly the youngest choreographer to have a movie inspired by his story. Working with renowned choreographer Remo D’Souza from 2010 to 2015, Suresh’s journey, struggles, and successes moved Remo enough to turn it into a feature film. For Suresh, it was an overwhelming experience, filled with gratitude and pride, and he knew it would change the dance landscape of India forever.
Among the countless performances he has choreographed, two acts stand out for Suresh. The first is the Bahubali-themed performance on the Indian reality show Dance Champions. Introducing slow-motion dance moves for the first time, the act was both cinematic and theatrical, portraying dancers as fighters. It quickly went viral, reaching 20 million views within just five to six days, and gained massive international attention, ultimately opening doors for The Kings to compete at the World of Dance Championship.
The second is a robotic-themed act, also choreographed for Dance Champions, where the crew told a full cinematic story through dance. Though it didn’t get as much viral attention as the Bahubali act, it remains one of Suresh’s most creatively fulfilling works.
These two performances laid the groundwork for the choreography that earned him a perfect score, 100 out of 100, during the final performance at the World of Dance Championship, further solidifying his legacy.
Receiving an Emmy nomination stands out as one of the proudest moments of his career. While the nomination may not be widely recognized in India, for Suresh, it remains a deeply personal achievement that symbolizes how far he has come.
Beyond competing and performing, Suresh has been passionately running his dance academy since 2008, 2009. Teaching has always been close to his heart, he wanted to share not just dance, but his story, his techniques, and his daily learnings. Today, his academy is recognized as the biggest dance academy in India, and he proudly credits it for giving him career stability.
Along with dance education, Suresh has expanded into cinematography and video production, offering spaces for photo shoots and other production services, building a complete creative hub around dance.
While social media has helped dancers grow their skills and visibility globally, Suresh notes that it has also changed the culture of competition. Earlier, dancers competed fiercely to prove themselves. Now, many are satisfied with creating viral content. There are pros and cons to this, while it has democratized fame, it has also reduced the hunger for true competitive excellence.
In parting, Suresh shares heartfelt advice for aspiring dancers, “Master your art, never stop being a student, and never stop learning. Success on an international platform isn’t about force, it’s about discipline, hard work, and belief in yourself and your craft.”
Suresh Mukund’s journey is a testament to the power of passion, resilience, and vision, proof that with the right mix of talent, support, and perseverance, dreams can indeed cross borders and make history.
