After choreographing for Bollywood films such as Cocktail, Guzaarish and Dhoom, choreographer Ashley Lobo is going to direct a dance film.
The artistic director of Navdhara India Dance Theatre has been involved in theatre and dance for over 30 years, and now he is gearing up to direct a movie.
“I am in the process of writing a script. Right now I am very busy with my company. We are touring in different countries this year. There are two new stage productions as well. So, maybe next year [will make a movie],” said Lobo.
Should the audience expect a dance film from him?
“Naturally. I am a choreographer. It will probably be a drama dance film. It will be a dance film with a strong story. I’ve thought of many actors, but I’ll have to see who would be available. The script will tell me whom to cast,” said the son of popular opera singer and theatre personality Celia Lobo.
Lobo also wants to share his experience with the world through a book.
“I’ll possibly end up writing books. I’ve been choreographing for so many years, teaching so many people and also learning from dance students, parents, actors and people from other professions. It would be a shame not to share that experience,” said the dance expert, whose dance theatre’s production Agni is set for a show in Mumbai on March 29.
Agni will have its international premiere in Israel.
For Lobo, the year started on a high note as he was invited by Germany-based dance company Ballet Chemnitz to choreograph a full-length ballet.
“It was very exciting and cool to be there. The company is very big and has its own orchestra, costumes department, audio-visual department and the likes. In India, we hire all these things. It was intimidating as it’s a big full on establishment, but exciting also because you don’t get to work with that kind of infrastructure in India,” he said.
“It was good for the dancers and new for them. Their kind of movement was new for me. I will go in June again,” he added.
Lobo also discussed India’s infrastructure problem when it comes to art forms like dance and theatre.
“Government does support theatre. The support is more for dance forms rooted in Indian classical and folk areas. Overseas, grants are given to artists in folk and classical and also to what I call global or world dance like contemporary dance,” said the choreographer trained in classical ballet, jazz and contemporary styles of dance.
While he is tied up with the overseas project and stage productions, filmmaker Imtiaz Ali’s next movie, starring Shah Rukh Khan, is equally important to him.
“I’ve been working with Imtiaz since Socha Na Tha. It was his and my first film, but it released over such a long period of time. I think the struggle of making that film brought the whole team together. Imtiaz and I became very close friends, and over the years, we have worked together in lots of films. He trusts me and I trust him as a filmmaker,” said Lobo.
