.jpg)
choreographer-turned-director, Remo d’souza, had always dreamt of nothing but making every foot tap to the music. his latest f lick, any body can dance, says and portrays pretty much what he has always believed. in conversation with Pratishtha Malhotra, remo shares stories about bringing his passion alive…
From the time of its promos, ABCD was rumoured to be the Indian adaptation of Step Up. Did that preconceived notion about your film bother you?
People just see one visual and tend to say things like ‘Ya it’s a copy of Step Up.’ But those who’ve seen the film would know that not even one scene is anywhere close to Step Up. It is totally an original story, my story. Yes it’s a dance movie shot in 3D and Step Up was also a dance film shot in 3D, but that’s the only similarity. You can’t compare them. Yes, dance is there but the story is different; the characters are different. It’s a totally new movie. You can’t say that it’s a direct rip-off of Step Up.
After FALTU, how did you come up with the idea of making a dance film?
Yes, just because of that. This idea was there before I made FALTU. I always wanted to make a dance film, even before Step Up had come. Since I started dancing, I always thought that if I ever get a chance I will make a dance film.
Musicals and dance films are new concepts for the Indian audience. Was it a huge challenge scripting a film like this?
Correct. This film is not only about dance. That is the biggest difference between Step Up and my film. In Step Up (except Part One), they don’t have a strong storyline. I have a very good storyline, which is told through dance. I know it looks like just a dance film, but it has got an emotional story weaved into it. Dance will look good on its own, but if you have a little story to that dance, it’ll attract you. That’s how I hoped people would get engaged to it..
Indian films in 3D have yet not fared as well as Hollywood films. Were you wary of this fact too while making your film?
We have had few Hindi films that were shot in 3D. I won’t say that they were shot badly but, yes, the equipment was not up to the mark. What I did is that I made sure to get the best equipment and the right technicians to shoot. The technicians who worked on Pirates of the Caribbean and Step Up 3 were with me on this film.
With films like yours are you hopeful that the perception of dance, which is considered just another hobby in our country, would change?
(Smiles). In my films I have always wanted to give a little message, nothing preachy, but just a small message. I did that in FALTU as well. In this film also I have given the message through the title that ‘Any Body Can Dance’. You don’t have to be born a Michael Jackson to dance. Coming to the profession of dancing, I think the perception has already changed and you can see that in reality shows. People happily come to me with their kids and say, ‘Sir mere bete ko aapke jaisa dancer banana hai (I want my son to be a dancer like you)’. That is such a big thing for me because I would never see somebody say that I want my child to be a dancer. Everyone always wanted their child to be a doctor, lawyer or an engineer. Now I feel very proud and it feels very good when people say dancer banana hai.
How was it working with Prabhudheva? Were you nervous or excited?
I was excited, not nervous. I knew that I have a very good story. I told him that I want you to do it and if you don’t do it, I don’t see anybody else doing it. So he heard the story… well, not even the story. He heard the idea actually. Before writing the story I just went to him with the idea that this is what the film is about and he instantly said ‘yes’. Then I wrote the story, went back to him and said this is your character and he said ‘ok’. I wanted to start shooting right then. He was shooting Rowdy Rathore at that time so he juggled between my film and Rowdy Rathore. I was very excited to direct a dance film with Prabhuheva in it.
Also, I had about 50 choreographers working on my set, on camera and behind the camera. I could only see all choreographers around me. It was fun. We shot the whole film in 67 days, which is a record time. Nobody has ever shot a 3D film in 67 days.
From the time of its promos, ABCD was rumoured to be the Indian adaptation of Step Up. Did that preconceived notion about your film bother you?
People just see one visual and tend to say things like ‘Ya it’s a copy of Step Up.’ But those who’ve seen the film would know that not even one scene is anywhere close to Step Up. It is totally an original story, my story. Yes it’s a dance movie shot in 3D and Step Up was also a dance film shot in 3D, but that’s the only similarity. You can’t compare them. Yes, dance is there but the story is different; the characters are different. It’s a totally new movie. You can’t say that it’s a direct rip-off of Step Up.
After FALTU, how did you come up with the idea of making a dance film?
Yes, just because of that. This idea was there before I made FALTU. I always wanted to make a dance film, even before Step Up had come. Since I started dancing, I always thought that if I ever get a chance I will make a dance film.
Musicals and dance films are new concepts for the Indian audience. Was it a huge challenge scripting a film like this?
Correct. This film is not only about dance. That is the biggest difference between Step Up and my film. In Step Up (except Part One), they don’t have a strong storyline. I have a very good storyline, which is told through dance. I know it looks like just a dance film, but it has got an emotional story weaved into it. Dance will look good on its own, but if you have a little story to that dance, it’ll attract you. That’s how I hoped people would get engaged to it..
Indian films in 3D have yet not fared as well as Hollywood films. Were you wary of this fact too while making your film?
We have had few Hindi films that were shot in 3D. I won’t say that they were shot badly but, yes, the equipment was not up to the mark. What I did is that I made sure to get the best equipment and the right technicians to shoot. The technicians who worked on Pirates of the Caribbean and Step Up 3 were with me on this film.
With films like yours are you hopeful that the perception of dance, which is considered just another hobby in our country, would change?
(Smiles). In my films I have always wanted to give a little message, nothing preachy, but just a small message. I did that in FALTU as well. In this film also I have given the message through the title that ‘Any Body Can Dance’. You don’t have to be born a Michael Jackson to dance. Coming to the profession of dancing, I think the perception has already changed and you can see that in reality shows. People happily come to me with their kids and say, ‘Sir mere bete ko aapke jaisa dancer banana hai (I want my son to be a dancer like you)’. That is such a big thing for me because I would never see somebody say that I want my child to be a dancer. Everyone always wanted their child to be a doctor, lawyer or an engineer. Now I feel very proud and it feels very good when people say dancer banana hai.
How was it working with Prabhudheva? Were you nervous or excited?
I was excited, not nervous. I knew that I have a very good story. I told him that I want you to do it and if you don’t do it, I don’t see anybody else doing it. So he heard the story… well, not even the story. He heard the idea actually. Before writing the story I just went to him with the idea that this is what the film is about and he instantly said ‘yes’. Then I wrote the story, went back to him and said this is your character and he said ‘ok’. I wanted to start shooting right then. He was shooting Rowdy Rathore at that time so he juggled between my film and Rowdy Rathore. I was very excited to direct a dance film with Prabhuheva in it.
Also, I had about 50 choreographers working on my set, on camera and behind the camera. I could only see all choreographers around me. It was fun. We shot the whole film in 67 days, which is a record time. Nobody has ever shot a 3D film in 67 days.
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles
Ranked 1st in International Exposure (ahead of all the IIMs)
Ranked 6th Overall
Zee Business Best B-School Survey 2012
Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri’s Session at IMA Indore
IIPM IN FINANCIAL TIMES, UK. FEATURE OF THE WEEK
IIPM strong hold on Placement : 10000 Students Placed in last 5 year
| BBA Management Education |
