Reinvention is the name of the game for Farah

Arenowned choreographer who also became a very successful filmmaker, Farah Khan has sort of gone back to her roots this year by choreographing two popular song sequences — Tareefan, from Veere Di Wedding; and the recently released Zingaat, from Dhadak. While Tareefan became a chartbuster from the word go, Zingaat at first got mixed reactions overall but is now gaining ground.

Asked if she anticipated comparisons between the Hindi version and the original song from the Marathi film Sairat, Farah says, “It’s a remake, so obviously there will be comparisons. I’ve seen the original and have loved it. But there was no hook step. So the challenge for me was to actually [choreograph] a song that looks random, but also give a hook step.

“I feel the hallmark of a song is that people [would] do these steps at a wedding, a party, or a club. I’ve done only two songs this year. Tareefan has also become a humongous hit. I just gave it one hook step, but it’s enough for people to do that step when the song plays. That hook step has always been my signature. Everyone still does Hrithik’s (Roshan) hook step with the song line Ae Mere Dil Tu Gaye Jaa... (from his debut film Kaho Naa Pyar Hai, 2000).”

Farah adds that the look of Zingaat is “unchoreographed”. She says, “It’s not like a filmi song where everyone stands in line and dances.” Referring to the male lead Ishaan Khatter, Farah says, “He’s outstanding, even as an actor. I told him to just sing and do whatever he wanted to. I let him loose and told him that after a little portion, the lines further (in the song) would be choreographed. If you see the song, he is random and then he gets back into choreography. It has a natural feel. People will say that the original Zingaat was not choreographed at all. But if you shoot a film number, it has to be choreographed even though it doesn’t look like it.”

About her choreography in general, Farah says, “You have to reinvent; you can’t do the same steps. It has been 25 years of choreography, and I’ve always kept up with the times. The thing is to do less work but good work. If I do two songs a year, they should be the biggest songs of the year.”

Farah, who is on a holiday with her children in Europe, will also wrap up the songs of Housefull 4 in London. Talking about her next directorial venture, she says, “As soon as I come back, I’m going on to finish my script. It’s too early to disclose [anything].”

I’ve always kept up with the times... If I do two songs a year, they should be the biggest songs of the year. FARAH KHAN CHOREOGRAPHER AND FILMMAKER