May 2019

www.theasianindependent.co.uk
ENTERTAINMENT
May 2019
17
‘I’M A HUGE FAN OF
MICHAEL JACKSON’
When Hrithik Roshan
debuted in 2000, he was hailed
as the next superstar of
Bollywood. Apart from his
good looks and acting prowess,
the actor also established himself
as an exceptional dancer in
his very first film. Ever since,
there has been no looking back
for the actor, who is considered
to be one of the best dancers in
Bollywood by most of his contemporaries.
Tiger Shroff looks
up to the actor for his dancing
skills as do so many other
young actors. On International
Dance Day, we caught up with
the actor to talk about everything
related to his passion —
dance.
What are your earliest
memories of dancing?
My earliest memories of
dance are from school. We
would have annual day shows
where all the kids would perform
together and there would
be dance competitions and performances.
There used to be a lot of dancing
to Bollywood songs at birthday parties,
where each one of us would do hook steps of
popular songs and show our best moves. I
took keen interest in dance while I was
preparing for my debut film, Kaho Naa
Pyaar Hai (2000).
Growing up, who was your inspiration?
I have always been a huge fan of Michael
Jackson, Shammi Kapoor and Govinda.
Each of their dancing style is different from
‘Glad Indian
films gaining
audience in
CHINA’
Actor Vicky Kaushal is glad that his
film Love Per Square Foot was showcased
at the Beijing International Film Festival
2019, and
says it is
wonderful to
see Indian
films gain
audiences in
China.
“It’s wonderful
to see
Indian films
gain audiences
in
China. Love
Per Square
Foot is a
film that’s
close to my heart and with its universal
theme of the quest for a roof over the head,
I’m delighted to hear that it resonated with
viewers at the Beijing Film Festival,”
Vicky said.
Love Per Square Foot, India’s Netflix
Original film, was screened at the Beijing
International Film Festival, which ran from
April 13 to April 20. Produced by Anand
Tiwari and Amritpal Bindra under their
banner Still and Still Media Collective in
collaboration with RSVP, the film was
showcased under The Belt and Road.
the other. I have grown up imitating their
styles in front of the mirror.
If you had the choice to do a dance off
with any person living or dead, who would
it be?
Maybe not a dance off, but I would have
loved to share the stage with the legendary
Michael Jackson. I have been a huge fan of
his since childhood and he is the reason I
started dancing.
What does dance mean to you?
Priya bags second
Bollywood movie
Priya Prakash Varrier, who became an internet sensation
overnight with her famous wink in a song from the
film Oru Adaar Love, has now bagged her second venture
in Bollywood. While the actress will already be seen
in Sridevi Bungalow soon, she is expected to have come
on board for a venture named Love Hackers. In recent
interactions, Priya confirmed the news and also spoke
about her being the protagonist in the movie.
Revealing details about Love Hackers, Priya said the
film is based on real life incidents. It revolves around a
girl who is trapped in an unfortunate situation.
I feel dance is a very powerful
medium to draw people
towards physical fitness.
There was a time in my life
when the doctors had told me
that I will never be able to
dance again. I danced my way
through that phase, too
(smiles). Dancing is a great
way to stay fit. It helps you
burn calories, strengthen muscles,
increase flexibility, and
also keeps one upbeat and
happy. I have also introduced
my mom and kids to it and
they love it.
You have a lot of dance
numbers to your credit.
Which is your personal
favourite?
It is tough to choose just
one favourite song of mine to
dance to. But my top
favourites are Deva Shree
Ganesha (Agneepath; 2012),
Dhoom Again (Dhoom 2;
2006), Bang Bang (Bang
Bang; 2014) and Ek Pal ka
Jeena (Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai; 2000).
What do you think about dance reality
shows that are the rage on television channels
currently?
Dance reality shows are a great platform
to discover and promote new talent from
across India. It gives people an opportunity
to showcase their talent. I have judged a
dance reality show in the past and I will definitely
be open to doing it again in the future
if something interesting comes up.
‘Dancing has helped me deal
with the hardships of my life’
She is the happiest when she
is dancing, as much as she is
while facing the arch lights.
That’s Sanya Malhotra for you.
Well, on International Dance
Day (April 29), Sanya talks
about the good things related to
the art form and how it has
changed her life.
For the uninitiated, Sanya’s
love for dance began at an early
age. She was in school when she
accompanied her mother’s best
friend to a dance competition in
Delhi. Coaxed by her aunt, she
by chance, participated and stole
the show with her version of Tu
Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast
(Mohra; 1994).
“That day I knew I love dancing,
more so because there was
no stage fright at all. Then, I
became that kid who would
dance at every family get together,
parties or weddings. And
mind you, I was famous too in
those circles,” she says. Soon the
love turned into passion and
Sanya trained herself in ballet,
freestyle and jazz. On her to-do
list is tap dancing and she also
wants to learn a classical dance
form. If you follow her on social
media, then it’s impossible to
miss her dance videos and the
kind of reactions they garner
Ranbir Kapoor, Alia
Bhatt enjoy movie date
Mumbai, Bollywood couple Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt went
on a movie date to watch “Avengers: Endgame”. They were
clicked by photographers while making their way out of the theatre
after watching the movie here.
Alia looked chic in a floral top and blue jeans. She had her hair
loose and was seen holding a denim jacket. Ranbir sported a
checked shirt and white T-shirt along with jeans and a cap to complete
his causal look. Reports about Ranbir and Alia dating each
other first surfaced last year. They have since made several appearances
together — be it walking hand in hand at an awards show or
shopping on the New York streets. They started opening up about
their relationship this year. Alia talked about it when she appeared
on “Koffee With Karan”. A kiss and an “I love you” from Alia to
Ranbir at the 64th Filmfare Awards got their fans on social media
excited about their rare public display of affection.
On the work front, Alia and Ranbir will be seen sharing screen
space in the upcoming film “Brahmastra”.
from her fans and colleagues
alike. A latest video of her with
rapper Naezy saw Hrithik
Roshan commenting, “OUT-
STANDING”. Mention this to
Sanya and she falls short of
words to express her happiness.
So, will we see her in a dance
film with Hrithik any time soon?
“That would be a dream come
true. Just the thought of it is giving
me goosebumps. He is such a
fabulous dancer. But before
everything else, I want to do a
dance film. Koi toh mujhse film
mein dance karwao (Someone,
please make me dance in a film).
I want to see myself dancing on
the big screen,” adds the actor,
who had choreographed her
Dangal (2016) co-actor Aamir
Khan for Secret Superstar
(2017).
About her plans for April 29,
Sanya says she is thinking of
doing something with Naezy and
choreographer Shazeb Sheikh.
“Let me figure this out… It will
be a surprise,” she keeps it at
that.
Ask her if she would like to
give out a message to her fans on
the occasion of International
Dance Day and Sanya is quick to
add, “Dancing does make you
happy. It has helped me deal
with the hardships in my life.
Not everyone is a good dancer
but you just have to enjoy doing
it. Dance as if no one is watching.
You can be a part of a group
or dance at home and even
involve your family. Trust me,
it’s fun. It’s a good exercise for
your mind, body and soul. At
times, I visit workshops and see
even non-dancers having a good
time. That’s the spirit. The happy
hormones need to be generated,”
she signs off.