"I was always a topper in school and college and was determined to become an IAS (Indian Administrative Service) officer. But then 'Dance India Dance' came along. And now that I have won it, there's no looking back, " she told in an interview.
"My father was quite insistent that I take the civil services exam and kept saying that 'you can try till you're 30 years old'. But now I'm not heading there, I'm going to study dance, " said Shakti, who has a masters degree in political science.
The 24-year-old, who was one among the thousands who came to audition for Zee TV's "Dance India Dance" almost six months ago, is trained in contemporary dance.
Before auditioning for the show, she had enrolled for a three-year diploma course in dance at the institute of choreographer Terrence Lewis, who was also her mentor on the reality show.
Shakti said she always wanted to go abroad to study dance, but couldn't do so as her "family isn't financially very sound".
She now hopes to fly abroad and polish her skills to become a choreographer and boost the popularity of contemporary dance in India.
"I will try and use whatever money I get here or in shows later to go abroad, especially London, and study dance
seriously.Apart from contemporary dance, I also want to learn other forms of dancing such as Kathak and hip-hop, " she said.
Bollywood too is on Shakti's agenda and she has already grabbed an offer to feature in a promotional video for choreographer-director Farah Khan's next movie "Tees Maar Khan".
"I don't know what offers I will receive in Bollywood in the years to come, but as of now I have one opportunity in hand. Who knows what I end up doing, but first and foremost is my love and passion for dance, " she said.
Shakti has three sisters, two of whom are already in showbiz. While Neeti, a singer, was seen on "Music Ka Mahamuqabla", her other sister, Mukti, will soon be seen on STAR Plus' "Zara Nachke Dikha".
