Dance of success

Hamsa Moily and Aditi Rao Hydari couldn't be more different.

Though both are classical dancers, Moily never had any acting aspirations, while Hydari has harboured a desire to be seen on screen since she was a little girl.

That desire was realized by way of Sringaram - Dance of Love, an Indian film that tells the story of temple dancers, which is being screened at DIFF.

In a quick chat with Tabloid the two danseuses share their experiences of working on a new medium and interpreting classical dance for a commercial audience.

Now that you've officially entered the world of movies, will you pursue it more actively or does dance have to be an integral part of the film?

Aditi Rao Hydari: It doesn't matter. I think that the final product has to be something meaningful, but I'm even open to doing real commercial cinema.

Hamsa Moily: I can't say that I'm going to be actively pursuing movies, but I'm not averse to the idea of more if the right opportunity comes along.

Aditi Rao Hydari: Exactly. I'm married, based in Delhi and very happy, so I don't really see myself shifting base to Mumbai just to further my movie career.

What was it like working with Saroj Khan as a choreographer, considering she's more of a commercial cinema professional?

ARH: It was wonderful. I mean she doesn't look like a dancer, but when she moves you just can't take your eyes of her. So it was such an experience to work with her and learn from her. I've also heard horror stories about her temper, but she was really kind on us!

HM: Saroj Khan is trained in Kathak so she's got her rhythm and aesthetics mastered, but it was interesting to work with her as she brought a different dimension to the classical form of Bharathnatyam.

Was there a lot of deviation from the classical form?

ARH: Yes and no. I mean there's a different interpretation.

HM: Considering the period the film is set in, we don't really know what form existed then as Bharathnatyam now is quite different from what it was then. So at the end of the day it is a film and there is definitely that poetic license that has been taken.

And finally, what films are you planning on watching at DIFF?

ARH: Water. I'm definitely going to see that. And anything else that I've got time for.

HM: All of them! The problem is they clash. But for sure I've got Paradise Now marked and a lot of the Arab cinema that don't always make it to India.