Prabhudheva a friend, companion: Salman Yusuff Khan

Choreographer-turned-actor Salman Yusuff Khan, who is making his silver screen debut with Remo D'Souza's "ABCD - AnyBody Can Dance", says working with Prabhudheva was a dream come true.

"Working with Prabhudheva has been a dream-come-true kind of experience for me. He has a peculiar charm. He was there as a friend, companion, teacher and supported all of us on the sets. He has been wonderful," Salman told.

Salman says he has grown up watching Prabhudheva and every moment that he shared with him during the making of the film has been special.

"Every moment with him on the sets was special. I used to nag him for everything. I have grown up trying his 'Muqabla' song step, but never got it right. So when I asked him he taught me the technique to do it and did not let me sit till the time I got it right," he said.

Produced by UTV Spotboy, "ABCD - AnyBody Can Dance" is said to be India's first 3D dance film. Apart from Prabhudheva and Salman, the film also features Kay Kay Menon, Ganesh Acharya, Dharmesh and Mayuresh. It will hit theatres Feb 8 next year.

The 27-year-old became popular after winning season one of the dance reality show "Dance India Dance" in 2009. He featured in the title track of the film "Wanted" and participated as a choreographer in "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4" and "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5".

The feeling of being an actor and that his debut film is about to release is yet to sink in, says Salman.

"I wanted it so badly that now when I have it I can't digest it. The feeling will sink in only when I will watch first show of the film in a theatre and see people's reaction. That is when I will believe that my dream has come true," he said.

"ABCD..." gave him a chance to explore the actor inside him, feels Salman.

"This film gave me the chance to showcase my talent as an actor. Everyone has seen me dancing and not seen me acting. In the beginning, it was a little difficult but not something that I could not achieve. It has been a learning experience for me. I know I can do better but I am satisfied with what I have done," he said.

Post "ABCD...", Salman will be seen in Vivek Agnihotri's "Freedom".

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I would not have made ABCD without Prabhudheva

Choreographer-director Remo D'Souza, who is busy promoting his second film "ABCD: AnyBody Can Dance", says he would not have made the movie without Prabhudheva. 

"I couldn't think of anyone else other than Prabhudheva for this film. I wouldn't have made this film without him. I am glad that he agreed to do the role. He is a fabulous dancer and a wonderful human being," Remo told. 

He says Prabhudheva's presence also helped him a lot during the making of the 3D dance-based movie, which features a melange of professional dancers like Salman Yousuff Khan, Dharmesh, Prince, Mayuresh and Vrushali.

"Prabhu has helped me a lot during the making of the film as he has been a successful director and a choreographer. Besides everyone else in my film are professional dancer which made my work easy. I had just to put them together and explain them the shots," he said. 

"The film has 30 choreographers and all of them are professionals. I agree that it was a little time consuming, but I truly appreciate the patience of my cast and crew," he added. 

Remo hopes to popularise the 3D genre with ABCD.
"The response has been fantastic for the promos. I am very excited for this film I hope audience like it and accept it. I hope with this film, 3D comes in vogue. So far many filmmakers have converted 2D films to 3D, which is almost like original and duplicate. 

"That is the reason why people didn't like it. But making a proper 3D film is a different experience," said the choreographer, who has been a judge on reality shows "Dance India Dance" and "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa". 

Remo says it is very time consuming to make a 3D film.

"There is a lot of money and time spent behind a 3D film. It will be new and exciting to see a 3D dance genre. I had immense belief in my script. UTV has put a lot of effort for this film. 

It is a big risk for the producers, but I am sure my film will not let them down. I am sure the audience will come and see the film," he said. 

His earlier directorial was "F.A.L.T.U.", which released in 2011.

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Young choreographers bringing newness, says Prabhudheva

Ace actor-choreographer Prabhudheva, who has been wooing the audience with his fine and flexible dance skills for over two decades, says it is good to see young blood infusing freshness into movie choreography.

"Everybody is doing a superb job. Around 40 years back, the choreographers used to be a little older. But nowadays, the choreographers are so young and they are doing new things. Earlier, it never used to be like this, " Prabhudheva told.

The 39-year-old has choreographed for Bollywood films like "Pukar", "Shakti: The Power" and "Lakshya". He rues how people in India fail to pursue their passion for dance life-long and let go of it, unlike dance enthusiasts in the West.

"In foreign countries, people learn dance from childhood. They go to dance classes and after an age, they take up dance as a profession. But in India people learn dance but after an age they have to go for some other work and that is where the difference comes, " Prabhudheva said.

"The overall dance scene today is good. But the only thing is that after some time, parents or someone else must tap it (the potential) and continue to nurture it, " he added.

Prabhudheva will next be seen in choreographer-turned-director Remo D'Souza's forthcoming movie "ABCD - AnyBody Can Dance", a project by UTV Spotboy.

He feels that while many people love dancing, the movie might boost their thirst for learning it.

"Nowadays, every boy and girl loves to dance, and parents even insist that they do it. There are so many dance-based TV shows happening. 'ABCD...' might be of more of help, " he said.

"ABCD...", releasing Feb 8, 2013, features Kay Kay Menon, dancers Dharmesh, Salman Yusuff Khan, Mayuresh Wadkar and Vrushali Chavan. It even has choreographer Ganesh Acharya.

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Speaking Hindi was test for me: Prabhu deva

Actor-filmmaker Prabhudheva has dubbed in Hindi for the 3D dance film "ABCD - AnyBody Can Dance" and says it was really tough.

"Talking in Hindi, it was like a test for me," the southern star said when asked what was tougher, dancing or acting.

Prabhudheva, 39, was speaking at movie's promo launch here Tuesday. The film is directed by choreographer Remo D'Souza, who reveals he started working on the script only after Prabhudheva said yes to the role.

"I only had an idea and I met Prabhu sir and said, 'Sir, I have an idea and I want you only. That's why I have come to you first and if you say yes, only then I'll start writing the script.' He instantly said yes after listening to the idea," Remo said.

"ABCD - AnyBody Can Dance" also features Kay Kay Menon and choreographer Ganesh Acharya besides dancers Dharmesh, Salman Yusuff Khan, Mayuresh Wadkar and Vrushali Chavan. It hits theatres Feb 8, 2013.

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No dubbing artist for Prabhudheva in ABCD

Actor-filmmaker Prabhudheva has dubbed in his own voice for upcoming Hindi film "ABCD - AnyBody Can Dance" and the makers call it an USP of the movie.

"Prabhu's voice is being kept and there is no dubbing for him," Rucha Pathak, senior creative director, Studios, Disney UTV, said in a statement.

"In the film, Prabhu plays a dance teacher from Chennai who battles all odds to try and rise above and dazzle the world with his vision, dance and philosophy. So, his voice is an added USP in the film," added Pathak.

The dance-based movie, directed by choreographer Remo D'Souza and produced by UTV Spot Boy, will release in February.

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Prabhudheva, Remo to pay tribute to Michael Jackson

Prabhudheva and Remo D'Souza, who are die-hard Michael Jackson fans, will pay tribute to the late pop legend in the upcoming film "AnyBody Can Dance" ("ABCD").

The film is being produced by UTV Motion Pictures and directed by Remo.

"Yes, it is true that we have thought about this. We want to execute it when we shoot our next song where Prabhu features with me, " Remo, who will also feature in the song with Prabhudheva, said in a statement.

"Everyone knows how deeply I respect Michael Jackson and when I'm doing a film on dancing, it is impossible to not have something on him, " he added.

Not only this, Prabhu will also be seen grooving with dancing diva Madhuri Dixit on a song in the film. This is the second time they have teamed up for a song after dancing on "Que Sera Sera" in 2000 release "Pukar". It will be shot at multiple locations in Mumbai including Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and Dharavi.

"ABCD", India's first dance film in 3D, will also have choreographer Ganesh Acharya in the cast.

Lauren Gottlieb, winner of the popular international television talent show "So You Think You Can Dance", has been roped in as the female lead.

It also stars the winners of Indian dance reality show "Dance India Dance" Salman Khan, Dharmesh, Prince, Mayuresh and Vrushali.

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Prabhu Dheva to walk the ramp

The reticient Prabhu Dheva will walk the ramp for the first time at a fashion event in aid of Shabana Azmi's NGO which works for the empowerment of the girl child

Among the other stars slated to be part of the event inlcude Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, Prateik and Amy Jackson. Will the choreographer-director do a jig on the ramp too?

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Happy Onam, tweets B-town

"Happiness", "prosperity" and "love" are what Bollywood celebrities like Madhuri Dixit, Prabhu Deva and Farhan Akhtar wish for friends and fans celebrating the harvest festival of Onam Wednesday.

Here is what the actors had to say --

Madhuri Dixit: "Happy Onam to all!!"

Prabhu Deva: "Happy Onam friends. Celebrate with 'athapoo pookolam' (rangoli) and enjoy Onam 'sadhya' with 'ada pradhaman', 'aviyal', 'elseri', 'upperi', 'olan', 'kalan', sambar, etc etc."

Resul Pookutty: "A very, very happy and prosperous Onam to you all..."

Farhan Akhtar: "Happy Onam. Wish you all peace and joy."

Madhur Bhandarkar: "Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous Onam."

Anupam Kher: "Happy Onam to all."

Neil Nitin Mukesh: "Wishing everyone a happy Onam. God bless."

Shreyas Talpade: "Happy Onam!"

Sunidhi Chauhan: "A very Happy Onam to you all."

Shreya Ghoshal: "Wishing all a very happy Onam. May loads of happiness and prosperity usher in your lives."

Raveena Tandon: "Happy Onam to all my friends!! God bless! Love and happiness, may this be a super duper year for all!!"

Ranvir Shorey: "Happy Onam!"

Santosh Sivan: "Hey wishing all a wonderful Onam!!"

Siddharth: "Happy Onam to all my friends from Kerala... as for me, off for an epic Onam sadhya lunch at my friend's place. Time to look for the loose pants!"

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Prabhu's Hindi woes

The choreographer-turned-director is not too comfortable speaking the language

Choreographer-turned-director Prabhu Deva is not too comfortable with Hindi. Though he can understand the language, he can't speak it. However, he feels his Hindi is improving considering that he is directing several B-Town films.

But he would still rather talk in Tamil. Realising his predicament Shruti Haasan, who stars in his untitled film, has jumped to his rescue. She only speaks to him in Tamil. The film is a musical and marks the debut of Kumar Taurani's son Girish.

Says a unit source, The rest of us don't know a word of Tamil, so we don't have a clue about what they are saying. He even explains the scenes to her in the language.

But Shruti maintains, I've respected Prabhu Deva for the work he has done. I'm glad he thought I could play the part after seeing my work in the South.

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Poonam Dhillon shooting for Prabhu Deva's next

Poonam Dhillon has set her eyes on films again! The veteran actress is busy shooting for Prabhu Deva's untitled project, which features Shruti Haasan opposite producer Kumar Taurani's son, Girish Kumar.

"I am working on Prabhu Deva's film. It is a love story," Poonam told.

The 50-year-old, who has a son and daughter, says she is now more open to doing films as her kids have grown up.

"I will be doing one or two more films since my kids are all grown up now and I can concentrate on films again," added the actress, last seen in 2011 film "Miley - Naa Miley - Hum".

Prabhu Deva's film should be out in another "two to three months", she said.

The film is reportedly a remake of Prabhu Deva's Telugu blockbuster "Nuwostananante Nenodattana", which was earlier remade in Tamil as "Unakkum Enakkum".

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Sonakshi raised the bar to dance with Prabhu Deva

Sonakshi Sinha, who is seen matching steps with Prabhu Deva in the song "Go, go Govinda", says she had to raise the bar to keep up with dance guru Prabhu Deva.

"Prabhu sir around, it's a whole different ball game. When he is choreographing, it's fine as he is there to guide you and tell you. But when he is dancing with you, he's such a good dancer, you have to raise the bar automatically, " the 25-year-old said in an interview.

The actress has done this guest appearance for Akshay Kumar's starrer "Oh My God" and dance steps were very tough for her.

"The most difficult steps I have attempted ever in my life. It was very difficult for me but had to do really well, " she explained.

But she loved the song.

"It's been a while since I had such a blast and the song is so upbeat, it's so catchy, it's like anytime you hear it, your foot starts tapping. That's why I was even attracted to that, I have a very tapori sense of music as well and it make me groove, " said Sonakshi.

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Sonkashi-Prabhu Deva in true Janmashthmi spirit

Recently India's most accomplished male dancer Prabhu Deva shot a janmashthmi dahi-handi breaking song for Akshay Kumar's Oh My God.

Accompanying the magical dancer was Sonakshi Sinha who's rapidly emerging as one of the better female dancers in the industry. Says Prabhu, "Sonakshi dances really well. She has great timing and wonderful grace. The last time I enjoyed keeping pace with someone so much was Madhuri Dixit when we did the Que Sera Sera number in Pukar. "

Prabhu says he wanted to make this Janmashthmi song very different from the ones that have been seen on screen so far.

"We just wanted to do a fun song. In our own way, " says Prabhu who broke his own selfimposed rule for this very special song dedicated to Lord Krishna. No item songs, unless it's for the Gods.

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My dance didn't Hurt Sonakshi

Prabhu Deva on entering the Rs 100 crore club in Bollywood and finally making a romantic film 

It was during a welcome break from the incessant rains in the city that Prabhu Deva opened the doors of his Lokhandwala apartment for us. Sitting with a cup of green tea and clad in a black tee and denims, Prabhu chats with us about his film, family and keeping his producers happy.

With two back-to-back hits in Wanted and Rowdy Rathore, have you become the most wanted director in the industry?
How can I call myself that? May be, others can say...

Do you feel today you have become a part of Bollywood?
Yes, and I'm happy. After all, I'm also a human (smiles). Before I started making films for Bollywood, I had apprehensions. But after all, sensibilities through out the country are pretty much the same. We all need romance, comedy, action, emotions...
After directing Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar, you will be working with debutant actor Girish Taurani...
Yes, it will be very challenging. While I am used to directing action flicks, this one will be a romance.

You seem to be very fond of remakes?
Even my friends ask me the same question! But my next two films are based on original scripts. As long as my producer and the audience are happy, I am happy.

Your Rowdy Rathore made it to the Rs 100 crore club.
I never ask about my film collections. If I like the film, that's enough for me. I have two friends who keep me abreast about the box office collections. That's enough information for me.

You will be acting in a film called ABCD...
I'm very excited about it, as it is a dance film and that too in 3D. I am as excited as a newcomer! I share screen space with my friend Ganesh Acharya.
Apparently you made Sonakshi Sinha work so hard in her debut item song that she ended up with an injury?
We just danced and danced. People love to make mountains out of molehills.

You have shifted to Mumbai permanently?
Yes, I am enjoying it but I really miss my children.

We heard your Hindi has improved?
(Laughs) Yes, I think so but nobody is complimenting me on this!

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Sonakshi, Prabhu Deva make special appearance in Oh My God

Sonakshi Sinha and Prabhu Deva will be seen dancing to the tunes of "Go Go Govinda" for Akshay Kumar's home production, "Oh My God" directed by Umesh Shukla. The two are making a special appearance for the song but are not a part of the film, Akshay clarified

"Sonakshi and Prabhu sir are not in 'Oh My God'. They are doing a short cameo role in the film, " he said at the DVD launch of his previous film "Rowdy Rathore" held here.

There were also speculation about Sonakshi hurting herself during the shoot. The actress, who was also present at the event, clarified that it was just a minor "neck sprain" and she is fine now.

Directed by Prabhu Deva, "Rowdy Rathore" was well-liked and managed to cross the Rs.100 crore limit as well.

Talking about his director, Akshay said that Prabhu Deva is a very shy person and doesn't say much.

"He gets angry if someone does not give a good shot or doesn't do his work properly. He is very shy otherwise and does not talk too much, " he said.

The actor marked his re-entry into the genre of action with "Rowdy Rathore" and plans to do more action films from now on.

"I enjoy action and I will continue to do it, " he said.

Remakes of south Indian films seems to have become the trend in the industry now. Akshay calls them a "tried and tested" path to success and says that he doesn't feel there is anything wrong with it.

"They take our films, we take theirs. Its like a give and take relationship, " the actor said.

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Prabhu Deva in demand!

Choreographer-turned-director has a jam-packed schedule ahead of him and other filmmakers are even willing to bend backwards to accommodate his timetable

Looks like right now Prabhu Deva is calling the shots. There was recent buzz that Shahid Kapoor who was recently signed by Prabhu to do his next, was even willing to let go of Bejoy Nambiar’s film to be able to give his dates for the South filmmaker’s project. But word now is that Bejoy is even willing to bend his back to let Shahid finish Prabhu’s film first.

Our source says, “Everything is in the hands of Prabhu sir. Even Bejoy is willing to accommodates Shahid’s dates for his film, depending on Prabhu’s schedule.” Choreographer-turned-director Prabhu Deva’s hands seem to be rpetty full right now.

Post Rowdy Rathore, his next film is with Kumar Taurani that will launch his son Girish opposite Shruti Haasan.

Sfter that, he will start work on his film with Shahid. He has also signed a film for Gowardhan Tanwani starring Ajay Devgn. There are also talks of him directing Salman Khan in another film.

Currently, Prabhu is in Himachal Pradesh finalising the locations for Taurani’s film. Though, Prabhu is known to shoot his film at a fast pace, we are hoping he manages to wrap up all his forthcoming projects within the stipulated time.

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Prabhu Deva to launch Virat Kohli in movies?

Superstars in their respective fields Virat Kohli and Prabhudheva got on together like a house on fire in Bangkok when they shot an ad last week.

The crackling chemistry is there for everyone to see in the pictures. Kohli, initially reluctant to dance was coaxed by Prabhu to try out some intricate steps. The results, we hear, were so awesome that somewhere down the fun zone that the duo established during their 2-day shooting, the idea of a movie launch for the star-cricketer came up.

And we hear Virat is not averse to the idea.

Prabhu, who according to Ram Gopal Varma is one of the three most successful Bollywood directors today after Rohit Shetty and Sajid Khan, wraps ups his current commitments may plan a launch for Virat.

At the moment Prabhu is busy with the launch of Kumar Taurani’s son Girish on a remake of his 2005 Telugu hit Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana Shruti Haasan. The original film had featured Siddharth and Trisha. Interestingly Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana had distinct shades of Salman Khan’s launch film Maine Pyar Kiya.

It would be interesting to see what Prabhu chooses as Virat’s movie launch.

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Shruti Haasan For Prabhu Deva's Film?

Rowdy Rathore’s maverick director Prabhu Deva is all set to do a Sonakshi Sinha on Shruti Haasan. The so-far luckless in Bollywood star from Luck will be relaunched in style and with substance to go, by Prabhu opposite Kumar Taurani’s son Girish in a hard-hitting massy love story that begins shooting next month.

Prabhu Deva and Shruti go back a long way. Shruti’s father Kamal Haasan has worked closely with Prabhu’s choreographer-father.

Says a source, “Prabhu has taken on himself the onus of re-launching Shruti in Hindi. ”

This ends the hunt for a suitable co-star for producer Kumar Taurani’s son Girish.

The untitled film is said to be “no Romeo & Juliet” romance since we’ve too many of those.

Efforts were on to find a completely new girl to star opposite the Taurani scion. But now they’ve gone for what is being called a “semi-newcomer”

Says a source, “Both Kumar Taurani and Prabhu Deva were keen on a new girl. But then it was felt that working on two newcomers simultaneously would take attention away from the male debutant’s launch.

So the team decided on Shruti who is relatively new to Hindi cinema. But she’s already an established star in the South. She has done a couple of Hindi films that didn’t work. All she needs is that one hit. ”

Confirming Shruti’s casting in his post-Rowdy venture Prabhu Deva says, “We were thinking of a completely new girl. But Shruti seems a better option. She has everything that it takes. ”

When asked what kind of a film the Girish-Shruti vehicle would be Prabhu Deva quipped, “As massy as Rowdy Rathore. That’s the only language I know. It’d targeted at single-theatre audiences. But also for the multiplexes. ”

Prabhu has moved to Mumbai as he has three back-to-back Hindi films to direct. But he hasn’t bought property as yet.

“I am staying in Boney Kapoor’s old place in Green Acres as they’ve shifted to a new bungalow, ” informs Prabhu.

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Prabhu Deva Gets Together With Virat Kohli

Dancer, choreographer, actor and now director Prabhu Deva is really going places. On Sunday evening he flew to Bangkok to shoot an ad with cricketer Virat Kohli.

A first for Prabhu Deva. He has never shot an ad before.

Said the multi-faceted Deva, “I am excited because a story has to be told within less than a minute. That’s a challenge because I’ve never shot an ad before, and that too with someone as well-known as Virat who is not from cinema. ”

Not willing to divulge any more details Prabhu clammed up. But one got to know the Prabhu-Virat combination gets together for an ad for a shoe company.

“It’s got plenty of action, and a little bit of dancing. Virat wanted to be projected as a filmy hero, ” says a source.

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Prabhu Deva in frantic search for a leading lady, Interested?

While Rowdy Rathore continues its success romp at the boxoffice its director Prabhu Deva has no time to revel in the ecstacy of a boxoffice bonanza.

In fact Prabhu is currently the most stressed filmmaker in the country, and not because he has three back-to-back Hindi projects starring newcomer Girish Taurani, Shahid Kapoor and Ajay Devgn lined up for direction but because Prabhu is searching for a suitable match, not for himself but his next hero newcomer Girish Taurani, producer Kumar Taurani’s son.

Kumar Taurani who has quite a clout in the film industry wanted to cast an established heroine with his son so that Prabhu Deva could focus on directing the newcomer and not worry too much about what the leading lady is doing in front of the camera.

There is a major hitch, though. Girish is all of 22, but looks much younger. Every heroine who has been approached to star opposite the Taurani scion didn’t quite fit. Katrina Kaif, Genelia d’Souza and Parineeti Chopra were sounded out and rejected because, well, they didn’t fit the bill.

So it looks like young Girish would have to make do with a newcomer.

“What to do?” laments Prabhu Deva. “Girish is 22. But he looks 19. None of the established heroines looks compatible with him. So we had to drop the original plan of a big heroine with the newcomer to create a balanced boxoffice equation. ”

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Prabhu Dheva to rent a home in Mumbai

A birdie chirps to say that Prabhu Dheva is planning to set up home in Mumbai

As the choreographer-director has numerous assignments in Bollywood, flying back home every few days to Chennai is proving to be tiring for him. He will be renting a home in Lokhandwala.

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