Thandie says her character in series reflects truth of life MAKES FOUNDATION STRONG: MADHURI

The actor says today the dance numbers are different, more Western, because of the generational shift

The Dhak Dhak Girl of Bollywood, Madhuri Dixit Nene, still rules the hearts of movie-buffs with her mesmerising smile, acting skills and, of course, her dance moves. And the actor says that classical dance strengthens a person’s foundation in the art form. “For eight years as a kid, I only learnt Kathak and practised it for several hours. After that, when I started trying out different styles of dancing, my body movements flowed in a certain manner, making the dance look graceful, effortless and everything that people talk about. What I am trying to say is that if you want to look effortless while dancing, you have to learn that grace through the discipline of practice.”

With a generation change, Bollywood rarely gets to see a classical dance number in films these days. Asked if there is a dearth of trained dancers, Madhuri says, “Bollywood films are about dance, music and narration. We still get to see dance in our films like Baaghi (2016) and Tiger Zinda Hai (2017), but these dances are different, because the generation is different. They are so well-exposed to Western dancing. So the young audience who are watching films relate to such dancing. I think, it is a natural change.”

Asked why youngsters are leaning more towards learning Western dancing instead of Indian classical dance forms, she says, “I think one of the reasons why Western dance is getting much popular than our traditional Indian dance among the mass is that you have to learn Kathak or Bharatanatyam under the guidance of a guru. Whereas in Western dance, you can copy [imitate or learn] from a video. There is a difference. Having said that, I think Bollywood dance is a melting pot of every dance form.”

The multiple awardwinning actors, adding that there is also a difference in the way dance sequences are shot today. She shares, “Cuts are faster, picturisation is different. As a dancer, before finishing an expression, the next shot appears... but I think the generation wants things faster.”

Actor Thandie Newton believes that her character’s journey in the television series, Westworld, is reflective of the struggles women face in the real world.

In the sci-fi drama, Newton plays Maeve, a robot who has been given the role of a prostitute in a Wild West theme but as she starts to gain conscience she remembers her daughter.

Newton said well-rounded characters for female actors are hard to come by so Maeve’s character in the series has been really special. “I’ve actually had to leave jobs, or say no to jobs because they’re sexist and misogynistic and racist and people don’t even realise they are being those things. But I’m pretty damn picky. And so, to play Maeve has been extraordinary, because I feel like I’ve been able to actually play a role that is in many ways reflecting the harrowing truth of what people go through in the world,” Newton said.

The actor-activist, who has been fighting against sexual harassment long before #MeToo movement hit Hollywood, said that she suffered for speaking out at that time. Newton said that she started reaching out to grassroots organisations to reach out to women who really needed her help rather than hang out with people “who have had a voice and money and power and haven’t done anything”.

The actor said her activism informs the performer in her and she channelled the suffering of the women she met during her charity work in the character of Maeve.

She added, “For me playing Maeve — who is a character that is forced to die again and again, and experience the cruelty again and again — it just conjures up my experience with women in Congo, who have suffered such horrific sexual violence that just destroys them .... These are the women that have inspired me.”