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Shiamak, Vaibhavi interviews
(could be light spoiler-ish)
Making Shah Rukh dance
Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming film Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi revolves around a dance competition, where the actor pairs up with newcomer Anushka Sharma. Dance, obviously, is an important part of the film. And to make the lead pair dance like a dream are two very talented choreographers, Shiamak Davar and Vaibhavi Merchant.
Shiamak has choreographed the songs, Dance Pe Chance, Dancing Jodi and Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte while Vaibhavi does the rest of the songs. Patcy N spoke to each of them about their experiences. Over to Shiamak:
Tell us about the songs.
Spoiler Highlight[COLOR="White"]*Dancing Jodi is a finale song where Shah Rukh and Anushka dance together. Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte has other actors like Priety Zinta and Rani Mukerji joining Shah Rukh on stage.[/COLOR]Spoiler end* I cannot talk about these songs, as the promos are not out yet.
Dance Pe Chance has Anushka teaching Shah Rukh how to dance. It is a western song with an Indian touch.
'Aditya is my jaan'
How was it working with Aditya Chopra?
Aditya is my jaan. He is very intelligent. We share the same vibes. I choreographed the songs methodically, showed him line by line. If he liked it, we kept it, otherwise, it was changed. But if I liked some dance steps that he didn't, I would convince him. He is very understanding. He's not bossy, and is open to ideas.
Also, very focused and professional. I learnt a lot from him. I am a big fan of Aditya. He never loses his cool or throws tantrum.
Since I had worked with him earlier, it was easy this time. Adi knows my style so he did not have to brief me much about what he wanted. But he told me that he wanted the Shiamak style of dance -- not very Indian and not very western.
Yash uncle would come on the sets in the evenings, and get groundnuts for me. I would give him a tight hug and pull his cheeks in return.
Why are you choreographing only three songs?
I don't know. But the other songs don't have much dance in it. I will do a complete Yash Raj film next.
'Shah Rukh has improved tremendously since DTPH'
How is it working with Shah Rukh Khan? I think Shah Rukh is one actor who has changed for the good. He has become more humble, and more loving and caring. He is fun to work with. Even though he is a star, he does not disrespect other professionals.
I have known him and his wife, Gauri, when she had joined my dance institute. After that, we worked in Dil Toh Pagal Hai. He has improved tremendously since then. A song that would normally have taken 10-15 days took us four-five days this time.
After the shoot, he gifted Tag Heur watches to two of my assistants.
'Anushka has an innocent face'
What about Anushka Sharma? I had choreographed a dance for Aishwarya Rai, when she was competing for Miss World. So I have worked with models before.
Anushka has an innocent face. My assistant Aleen worked with her for three months before we started shooting. She is going to be very good.
'Haule Haule had to bring out the positive spirit of a person'
Vaibhavi Merchant has choreographed Haule Haule and Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai. She takes us through them:
Tell us about the songs.
Haule Haule was shot in three days, but was very difficult to shoot. We had a brainstorming process, as we had to shoot a whole chunk without any cuts.
Plus, the song did not have much dance, yet the steps had to be rhythmic. Like when Shah Rukh walks, runs, jumps on a car, pushes a passerby... all his actions have to happen according to the beats. So we needed a lot of rehearsals. It looks very simple on screen but it was very complicated behind the camera.
Haule Haule had to bring out the positive side of a person. It also had to bring across the notion that the guy is not a good dancer. It's easy to choreograph a set of dancers, with the hero and heroine up front, it's easy to conceive ideas for such dances. But it gets difficult to choreograph circumstances where there is no dance and yet, it has to be rhythmic.
We would start rehearsals in the morning. Shah Rukh Khan would join us by 11. By 1:30pm, we would wrap up the shoot as well.
Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai has two versions. One version doesn't involve dancing while the other does. The one that doesn't have dancing has been directed by Aditya himself. It is a beautiful song and very crucial for the film, so I cannot divulge details.
'Over the years, Shah Rukh's choice of films has improved'
How was working with Shah Rukh Khan? Fantastic! I was floored. He is just a little less than superman because he can't fly. He has tremendous energy and never gets tired. When you work with him, he does half your work. He understands the camera very well and has a great sense of timing.
I have worked with him in three films -- Devdas, Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam and Veer-Zaara. This is my fourth film with him. Over the years, his choice of films has improved.
When you show him a dance step, he will first say it's very difficult. But if you tell him that you will change the step to make it easier, he will not allow it. He will rehearse the step 20-30 times so that eventually he makes it look better than what you had showed him.
'Anushka was a slow learner, and very nervous'
How was Anushka Sharma? After Aditya signed her, he secretly asked me to check how good a dancer she is. When I showed her a few steps, she was not all that good. She was a slow learner, and very nervous. So I went out of the studio and left her with my assistant for an hour. When I returned, all her inhibitions had gone and she was dancing well. So I told Aditya that she had a lot of potential.
She's like Katrina Kaif. Initially, Katrina was very stiff and uncomfortable about dancing. But now, her moves look great. Shiamak has trained Anushka and he has done a great job with her.
'Aditya Chopra is a slave driver'
How was it working in Aditya Chopra? I have worked in many Yash Raj films, and have done all sorts of songs. But it has been my dream to work with Aditya Chopra ever since I saw Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. He is a great person to work with but he terrorises you; he is a slave driver, a taskmaster. This is the fastest movie that I have ever worked in.
He does not allow you to breathe, eat or drink. He is very hyper on the sets. He seldom speaks on the sets. But I loved working with him because he himself works without breaks. I am a restless soul like him.
Who is your favourite dancer in the industry?
Hrithik Roshan and Madhuri Dixit. My favourite dance film is Aaja Nachle. I also liked Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. I had done a very decent job in that film but since it wasn't a hit, even the technicians' work was not appreciated.
http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2008/dec/10slide1-making-shahrukh_dance.htm
(could be light spoiler-ish)
Making Shah Rukh dance
Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming film Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi revolves around a dance competition, where the actor pairs up with newcomer Anushka Sharma. Dance, obviously, is an important part of the film. And to make the lead pair dance like a dream are two very talented choreographers, Shiamak Davar and Vaibhavi Merchant.
Shiamak has choreographed the songs, Dance Pe Chance, Dancing Jodi and Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte while Vaibhavi does the rest of the songs. Patcy N spoke to each of them about their experiences. Over to Shiamak:
Tell us about the songs.
Spoiler Highlight[COLOR="White"]*Dancing Jodi is a finale song where Shah Rukh and Anushka dance together. Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte has other actors like Priety Zinta and Rani Mukerji joining Shah Rukh on stage.[/COLOR]Spoiler end* I cannot talk about these songs, as the promos are not out yet.
Dance Pe Chance has Anushka teaching Shah Rukh how to dance. It is a western song with an Indian touch.
'Aditya is my jaan'
How was it working with Aditya Chopra?
Aditya is my jaan. He is very intelligent. We share the same vibes. I choreographed the songs methodically, showed him line by line. If he liked it, we kept it, otherwise, it was changed. But if I liked some dance steps that he didn't, I would convince him. He is very understanding. He's not bossy, and is open to ideas.
Also, very focused and professional. I learnt a lot from him. I am a big fan of Aditya. He never loses his cool or throws tantrum.
Since I had worked with him earlier, it was easy this time. Adi knows my style so he did not have to brief me much about what he wanted. But he told me that he wanted the Shiamak style of dance -- not very Indian and not very western.
Yash uncle would come on the sets in the evenings, and get groundnuts for me. I would give him a tight hug and pull his cheeks in return.
Why are you choreographing only three songs?
I don't know. But the other songs don't have much dance in it. I will do a complete Yash Raj film next.
'Shah Rukh has improved tremendously since DTPH'
How is it working with Shah Rukh Khan? I think Shah Rukh is one actor who has changed for the good. He has become more humble, and more loving and caring. He is fun to work with. Even though he is a star, he does not disrespect other professionals.
I have known him and his wife, Gauri, when she had joined my dance institute. After that, we worked in Dil Toh Pagal Hai. He has improved tremendously since then. A song that would normally have taken 10-15 days took us four-five days this time.
After the shoot, he gifted Tag Heur watches to two of my assistants.
'Anushka has an innocent face'
What about Anushka Sharma? I had choreographed a dance for Aishwarya Rai, when she was competing for Miss World. So I have worked with models before.
Anushka has an innocent face. My assistant Aleen worked with her for three months before we started shooting. She is going to be very good.
'Haule Haule had to bring out the positive spirit of a person'
Vaibhavi Merchant has choreographed Haule Haule and Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai. She takes us through them:
Tell us about the songs.
Haule Haule was shot in three days, but was very difficult to shoot. We had a brainstorming process, as we had to shoot a whole chunk without any cuts.
Plus, the song did not have much dance, yet the steps had to be rhythmic. Like when Shah Rukh walks, runs, jumps on a car, pushes a passerby... all his actions have to happen according to the beats. So we needed a lot of rehearsals. It looks very simple on screen but it was very complicated behind the camera.
Haule Haule had to bring out the positive side of a person. It also had to bring across the notion that the guy is not a good dancer. It's easy to choreograph a set of dancers, with the hero and heroine up front, it's easy to conceive ideas for such dances. But it gets difficult to choreograph circumstances where there is no dance and yet, it has to be rhythmic.
We would start rehearsals in the morning. Shah Rukh Khan would join us by 11. By 1:30pm, we would wrap up the shoot as well.
Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai has two versions. One version doesn't involve dancing while the other does. The one that doesn't have dancing has been directed by Aditya himself. It is a beautiful song and very crucial for the film, so I cannot divulge details.
'Over the years, Shah Rukh's choice of films has improved'
How was working with Shah Rukh Khan? Fantastic! I was floored. He is just a little less than superman because he can't fly. He has tremendous energy and never gets tired. When you work with him, he does half your work. He understands the camera very well and has a great sense of timing.
I have worked with him in three films -- Devdas, Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam and Veer-Zaara. This is my fourth film with him. Over the years, his choice of films has improved.
When you show him a dance step, he will first say it's very difficult. But if you tell him that you will change the step to make it easier, he will not allow it. He will rehearse the step 20-30 times so that eventually he makes it look better than what you had showed him.
'Anushka was a slow learner, and very nervous'
How was Anushka Sharma? After Aditya signed her, he secretly asked me to check how good a dancer she is. When I showed her a few steps, she was not all that good. She was a slow learner, and very nervous. So I went out of the studio and left her with my assistant for an hour. When I returned, all her inhibitions had gone and she was dancing well. So I told Aditya that she had a lot of potential.
She's like Katrina Kaif. Initially, Katrina was very stiff and uncomfortable about dancing. But now, her moves look great. Shiamak has trained Anushka and he has done a great job with her.
'Aditya Chopra is a slave driver'
How was it working in Aditya Chopra? I have worked in many Yash Raj films, and have done all sorts of songs. But it has been my dream to work with Aditya Chopra ever since I saw Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. He is a great person to work with but he terrorises you; he is a slave driver, a taskmaster. This is the fastest movie that I have ever worked in.
He does not allow you to breathe, eat or drink. He is very hyper on the sets. He seldom speaks on the sets. But I loved working with him because he himself works without breaks. I am a restless soul like him.
Who is your favourite dancer in the industry?
Hrithik Roshan and Madhuri Dixit. My favourite dance film is Aaja Nachle. I also liked Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. I had done a very decent job in that film but since it wasn't a hit, even the technicians' work was not appreciated.
http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2008/dec/10slide1-making-shahrukh_dance.htm
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