City’s kid archer Cherukuri Dolly Shivani was a toast to the eyes of judges and the special guest of a Mumbai-based television’s reality show — India Got Talent — recently for her exemplary shooting skills in archery.
The four-year-old kindergarten student at K.K.R. Gowtham School, who entered the India Book of Records and Asian Book of Records for her archery skills last year, has successfully completed three rounds and she is preparing for the crucial fourth round.
Shivani surprised everyone with her skills and met the bull’s eye repeatedly by bursting the balloons tied to the target face. “During the first round at Hyderabad, she bursted the balloons of her choice. But later at Mumbai she succeeded in blasting the balloons of the judge’s choice from seven-metre and 10-metre distances,” said archer’s father Ch. Satyanarayana, who taught her the basics. He said the latest edition of the reality show was providing a platform to hundreds of talented youngsters pursuing their passion in various fields. “Shivani has the wherewithal to reach the top. The next round will be critical,” said the kid’s coach L. Chandrasekhar.
For Bollywood stars Karan Johar, Kiron Kher, wife of Anupam Kher, Malaika Arora and Ranadeep Hooda, the feats of the four-year-old was stunning and they, after appreciating her, gave their nod to the next round.
“You are cutest contestant on the show,” exclaimed Malaika, while ace director Karan Johar said that she would become an Olympic champion. Actor Ranadeep Hooda’s smiling face and appreciative gaze at Shivani spoke volumes.
Bollywood’s popular heroine Aishwariya Rai Bachchan, who came to the show as a special guest, showered praises on young Shivani and she gave her consent for the next round. “It was thrilling moment to see Aishwarya Madam hugging Shivani affectionately,” says Mr. Satyanarayana.
