Dance India dance: Bollywood’s getting to grips with dance-themed films

Dance has been an integral part of Indian cinema, but the popular art form is inspiring Bollywood filmmakers to use it as the central theme in movies.

Indian choreographer-turned-director Remo D’Souza recently wrapped up Any Body Can Dance (ABCD), which features some of the country’s best dancers, including Prabhu Deva and Ganesh Acharya and youngsters like Salman Khan, Dharmesh and Mayuresh, all three of whom are reality show winners.

“The film is my dream project. It has been shot in 3D, not converted to 3D, so I hope the audience looks forward to something different,” D’Souza said.

Choreographer Atul Jindal and members of his troupe who will be seen in ABCD feel such dance-based movies will help in changing perceptions of people about the art form.

“I feel many movies like this should come because it will give a different perspective to parents. Now dance is one of the most popular career opportunities, and it wasn’t so two or three years ago,” said Jindal, who runs Delhi-based dance institute The Big Dance Centre.

“Parents never used to think, ‘My child will become a dancer.’ So, lots of movies should come, and more people will get a chance,” he added.

Meanwhile, Shirish Kunder, choreographer Farah Khan’s husband, is planning a dance-based film with an all-new cast. Debutant director Saahil Prem is also working on a film based on international dance forms.

The latter will see a mixture of B-boying, popping, locking, shadow dance, finger tutting and wacking. It has reportedly found a supporter in Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.

Earlier, dance was used as a key part in Hindi films like Dil To Pagal Hai, Taal, Naach and Aaja Nachle.

Hollywood has also embraced the popular dance culture with films like the Street Dance and Step Up franchises. In India, such films have found the support of Bollywood choreographers like Shiamak Davar and Bosco-Ceaser. While Shiamak supported Street Dance 2, Bosco-Ceaser is promoting Step Up Revolution, which releases in India on Friday.

“It is great to see that dance is finally getting respect and the West has also started making films based on dance. Such films would definitely help add a new dimension to this form of art. This will help create awareness among people, who didn’t consider dance a favourable profession,” said Bosco of the National Award-winning choreographer duo.

Step Up Revolution director Scott Speer is confident his film will work in India, where dance is prevalent on a wide scale. “After the success of three Step Up movies, we are expecting this unique sequel to be a great hit in the Indian market as this is the time when dance fever is in the air. Indian audiences have started to really appreciate international dance styles,” said Speer.

In the past, Hollywood films like Black Swan and Save The Last Dance have delved deeper into the art of dancing.