Next month, the Strand Theatre in Dorchester will host the highly energetic, suspenseful dance competition South Asian Showdown. During this creative battle royale, 10 Bollywood/Fusion dance teams from across the United States will give it their all on stage for the chance to win a cash prize and the glory of first place.

South Asian Showdown is now in its 17th year. It’s grown into one of the biggest South Asian events in North America.

“Each year, this contest gets bigger and better,” said Rohit Bhambi, founder of South Asian Showdown. “We have 10 teams ready to bring can’t-miss performances to the stage. You will be locked in from the moment the first foot pulsing music plays in this phenomenal atmosphere.”

There are 10 teams competing this year, including three from Massachusetts. Cornell Sitara, DFD Academy, JHU Zinda, Maryland Dhoom, MIT Mirchi, Nova Nassa, Queen City Ishaare, TAMU Maaya, UC Dhadak and UMass Dhadak will all perform.

Ishika Govil, who is working on a doctorate degree in chemical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will perform with the MIT Mirchi group. Govil had performed in a Bollywood dance group during her undergraduate studies at the University of Delaware and wanted to continue the experience.

“I really fell in love with the environment of a community of people who enjoy similar culture to me,” Govil said. “I wanted to continue finding that culture here as well.”

Govil studied ballet for most of her early life, which has come in handy in the fusion dance style. Performances at the South Asian Showdown will fuse everything from hip-hop, classical and contemporary to Bollywood, bhangra and Tollywood styles.

These performances are intense. Govil says every piece centers around a theme that’s as much acted as it is danced. Last year the MIT Mirchi group performed Stephen King’s “It,” complete with lines of dialogue. The group won best theme at the 2025 South Asian Showdown as a result. Although Govil is keeping the 2026 theme under wraps, she says it’ll be just as highly produced.

The 2026 competition will take place Feb. 28 at the Strand Theatre. Tickets start at $20.

“I think it really helps showcase how we feel as Indian Americans who have this type of background, where we grew up listening to our parents’ songs as well as Western influences,” said Govil. “It’s really important to be able to see different kinds of performances put out there and these performances are really unique.”

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