Terence gives ABCD title for free to Remo

Terence Lewis gave his title away for free to rival Remo D'Souza for his dance film

Choreographer-turned-director Remo D'Souza's upcoming film's title was registered under the name of ace choreographer Terence Lewis's name since 2009. Though Remo and Terence are professional rivals, they came together while judging a dance reality show together.

Says a source, When Remo was ready with his next film after F.A.L.T.U, he was desperately looking for a good title. When he learnt that Terence had the title he was thinking about, Remo told him that he was keen to have it for his project.

Usually, buying a title when its registered with someone is difficult and an expensive proposition. In some cases the owners even refuse. But Terence agreed to it for free because it was a dance film.

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Why Remo chose to go 3D with ABCD

Choreographer-director Remo D'Souza says he chose to make his dance film "ABCD - AnyBody Can Dance" in 3D because he wanted to portray a very common thing as dance in a very special manner.

"I could have made it a normal film, but I chose 3D because you see dance everyday. In India, every other day something happens around dance, at home or on the TV.

So how could I portray it as something different? That was the reason I went with 3D because I had to show dance in a new way," the 38-year-old said here Thursday in an interview.

"When I started writing the film, I knew I will make it in 3D and I wrote the script keeping that in mind," he added.

Remo says there was a time in Bollywood, when dance-based films and musicals were not uncommon. He just wanted to revive that.

"I always wanted to make a dance film. This is the only genre which has been in Bollywood since the days of black and white films, but then it got lost for many years. Initially, such films were 'Navrang' and 'Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje' and they were all musicals. Other genres took over and no one touched it again," Remo said.

"I always had this in mind that when I start making films, I will make a dance musical film. I did not get that chance initially," he added.

"ABCD - AnyBody Can Dance" is said to be India's first 3D dance film. It features Prabhudheva, Kay Kay Menon, Ganesh Acharya, Dharmesh, Salman Yusuff Khan, Mayuresh and others. The film hits theatres Feb 8 next year.

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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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Remo plans sequel to ABCD with Prabhudheva

Remo D'Souza's "ABCD - AnyBody Can Dance" is yet to hit theatres, but the choreographer-director is already planning a sequel for the movie. He says it will definitely feature ace dancer Prabhudheva in a key role.

"Of course, there are plans for 'ABCD 2'. I have been a dancer and choreographer all my life before turning into a director and I want to make as many films on dancing that I can do in my life," Remo said in a statement.

However, he has nothing concrete in mind for the sequel.

"I have to work hard on thinking what would be the premise of 'ABCD 2' as I have given it all in ABCD. But one thing is for sure, when there is a sequel, it will definitely have Prabhudheva in the lead," he added.

"ABCD..." is a dance-based film, and features Kay Kay Menon with dancers Dharmesh, Salman Yusuff Khan, Mayuresh and Vrushali, among others. Choreographer Ganesh Acharya too will be seen in the movie, which will release Feb 8 next year.

Its trailer has received a good response on YouTube, with more than a million hits since it went online Nov 27.

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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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Remo D' Souza scares young Salman Khan

Young choreographer Salman Khan, who is seen with actress Isha Sharvani on "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5", says he is most scared of Remo D'Souza - one of the judges on the reality show.

Young choreographer Salman Khan, who is seen with actress Isha Sharvani on "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5", says he is most scared of Remo Dsouza - one of the judges on the reality show.

"Remo Sir knows me in and out. He knows my strengths and weaknesses. So I know I have to step up. People say your friends can be your worst enemies because they know you so well. This is the case with me and Remo Sir".

The dance show is also judged by the vivacious Madhuri Dixit and filmmaker Karan Johar.

Salman came into the limelight after winning the first season of dance reality show "Dance India Dance". He then choreographed the title song of film "Wanted" with Bollywood star Salman Khan.

When asked about his equation with Isha on the show, Salman says it is completely professional.

"My equation with her is very professional. She comes from a background of a performer and she understands the amount of effort and time which is required for any art. This is the most important thing," he said.

Salman and Isha are one of the few 'jodis' who have constantly received accolades for their performances on the show.

And Salman says that he always try to bring something new to his performances and added, "I always keep the audience and judges in mind, whenever I think of a concept. There has to be something new then only we will be praised," he said.

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Dance takes on a bigger role in cinema

Dance has been an integral part of Indian cinema, but the popular art form is inspiring Bollywood and Hollywood filmmakers to use it as the central theme in movies like "Any Body Can Dance", "Step Up Revolution" and "Street Dance".

Choreographer-turned-director Remo D'Souza has 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, " Remo told.

Choreographer Atul Jindal and some members of his troupe will soon be seen in "ABCD". He feels such dance-based movies will help in changing perceptions of people about the art form.

"I feel a lot 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, " Jindal, who runs a Delhi-based dance institute, The Big Dance Centre, told.

"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. Also, debutant director Saahil Prem is 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 also seems to be embracing the popular dance culture with films like "Street Dance" and "Step Up Revolution". 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 are spreading the word about "Step Up Revolution", which releases July 27.

"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 as 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.

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Street dancer Remo is Mad about Mads

Choreographer-director Remo D'Souza is on a high. His latest film is ready for release, and he is happy to be with Madhuri Dixit for the second season of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa on Colors

“My film will be a treat for dance lovers, ” he says. In between shots, he talks to CS about Madhuri Dixit, rain dances and his tattoos:"

Mad about Mads
I am a huge fan of Madhuri Dixit. I think I was in school when I first saw her in Ek Do Teen from Tezaab. From Chane Ke Khet Mein (Anjaam) to Maar Dala (Devdas), I can watch any of her dances any number of times. 

The kind of expression and grace that Madhuri possesses is not there in anyone else. She’s the true dancing diva. I would love to do a film with her. My expertise is street dance, and I would like to make her do hip hop in torn jeans, jackets and chains.

I have no doubt that she’ll be as good in hip-hop as she is in Kathak. However, my favourite form is Latin American ballroom dancing. It is just two people dancing on stage and you get to see the actual chemistry between two dancers. It’s simply divine!

Dancing in the rain
In rain songs, my favourites are Aaj Phir Tumpe Pyaar Aaya Hai from Dayavan. Madhuri Dixit and Vinod Khanna’s chemistry is sizzling. Then, we have Kaate Nahi Kat Tey from Mr India that has another fabulous dancer, Sridevi.

Lastly, I love Tip Tip Barsa Paani from Mohra, which is an unforgettable number. I think that with the trend of the 80s masala movies coming back to the forefront, we will get to see some rain dances pretty soon.
Step to success
I am very happy to see that choreography or dance direction today is a respected profession. When I started out, no parent felt that dancing was a career of any kind. 

Many parents bring their kids to me and express the desire of seeing their children as choreographers. It’s nice to see parents recognising future talent. 

But I would like to tell everyone aspirant that hard work and patience are of prime importance in a dancer’s life. You need to work ten times harder than in any other profession. And success doesn’t come easily to everyone.

Tattoo talk
There was this tattoo of Michael Jackson on my arm since a long time. Recently, I got a Buddha face done. I also plan to get Lords Ganpati and Shiva tattooed on my arm along with my parents’ names. The pain is addictive!

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Tough to promote Indian dance: Remo D'Souza

Indian youth is more inclined towards western dance forms like B-boying, hip-hop and jazz and their interest in Indian classical forms is diminishing, laments choreographer Remo D'Souza, who couldn't find any takers to release his Bengali film on Chhau dance.

"The whole scene has changed. People come to me and say, 'I want to make my son a dancer'. We never had this. In my time, my father would have slapped me if I was to say I want to become a dancer. It's a huge change," Remo told.

"We try to promote Indian dance, but we know that people, majorly youth, doesn't want to watch it. They prefer more western forms," he added.

Talking about his first directorial venture, Bengali film "Lal Pahare'r Katha", he said: "I made my first Bengali film based on Chhau dance - a traditional Indian tribal art form. I won a lot of praise for it in the US, Germany and other countries, but in India, nobody released that film because nobody wants to watch it."

Keeping the fate of "Lal Pahare'r Katha" in mind, the 38-year-old, who became popular as a judge on dance reality show "Dance India Dance", chose to take the beaten path.

"That pushed me to make 'F.A.L.T.U.', a commercial film. Now in my next directorial 'ABCD' (AnyBody Can Dance), I have tried to balance both dance forms. When you see the film, which is shot in 3D, you would see a balance between Indian and Western dance forms," he said.

In the meantime he is happy that the fifth season of "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa" will strike a good balance among all dance forms.

Remo is one of the judges on the show along with dancing diva Madhuri Dixit and filmmaker Karan Johar.

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