A BIG STEP FORWARD

Even as the world celebrated International Dance Day on April 29, a number of Bollywood biggies are gungho about shaking a leg for their dance films

Right from the start, Bollywood has been synonymous with song-anddance routines. But coincidentally, as the world celebrated International Dance Day just yesterday, a number of Hindi films seem set to go full throttle with out-and-out dance-based movies. To start with, Katrina Kaif and Varun Dhawan are set to team up for the ABCD series director, Remo D’Souza’s next. Interestingly, Katrina’s younger sister, Isabelle Kaif is also set to put her dancing shoes on for her debut film, Time To Dance that will see her star opposite Sooraj Pancholi. That’s not all. Reports are rife that Kriti Sanon and Sushant Singh Rajput will collaborate once again (after Raabta; 2017) for the Hindi remake of the 1987 cult Hollywood hit, Dirty Dancing. Also, Siddharth Anand’s next — starring Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff and Vaani Kapoor — is likely to have heavy doses of dance. Away from Bollywood, National Awardwinning Indian actor Usha Jadhav will be seen in Spanish director, Ventura Pons’ new dance musical, Shake It Baby.

“Honestly, I am the happiest,” says D’Souza, adding: “It’s great that the dance film genre is coming up in a big way as it means more work for dancers and also introduction of new dance forms in Hindi films. Having said that, it’s a very tricky genre to deal with and that’s why we have seen so few dance films [in Bollywood] till date. There has to be a correct synchronisation of story and dance, or the film will fall.” The film-maker’s yet-untitled dance film with Katrina and Varun starts “by the end of the year”.

Actors, on their part, are eager to put their best foot forward. Isabelle, for instance, has been taking dance lessons for over two months for her debut role. “We are learning about 12-13 new dance forms that are very technical. But it is exciting too, as it’s a very sweet love story with dance as the backdrop,” says Isabelle, adding that what attracted her first to the film was the story.

It’s great that the dance film genre is coming up in a big way as it means more work for dancers and also introduction of new dance forms in Hindi films.

REMO D’SOUZA, FILMMAKER/CHOREOGRAPHER

“But then I thought, ‘this gives me the chance to also learn all the new dance forms, so let’s do it’. Hopefully, our hard work pays off. I am also excited to see how the film is going to turn out,” she says.

The same holds true for Katrina as well, who will reportedly train in a particular Indian folk form for her dance flick. “When I was offered the film, I was bowled over as I liked the new concept that makers have in mind. It’s in a completely unique zone. Ultimately, it all boils down to how you and people connect [to the story]. Plus, I love Varun and I know he is extremely energetic. Also, Remo and I have known each other for a long time,” says the actor.

Bollywood actors such as Katrina Kaif (far left), Varun Dhawan (left), Kriti Sanon (left bottom) and (inset from left) Tiger Shroff, Isabelle Kaif and Hrithik Roshan are set to be seen in films revolving around dance