Madhuri is still the best: Saroj Khan

In town, choreographer Saroj Khan tells TOI how parents force children to participate in reality dance shows, which are just big business:

You have been in the industry for more than 25 years. What is the difference between actors then and now?

Actors don't have that sincerity now. They aren't willing to learn new things.

Among the present crop of heroes, who is the best dancer?

I like Ranbir Kapoor. All his songs are good. He mostly moves to lyrics, not to music. Now other actors are following him.

You have collaborated with Madhuri for Gulaab Gang after a decade...

She hasn't changed a bit. She still dances superbly. She is a choreographer's delight. I always keep a music piece for her in every song, where she dances solo and the camera frame is kept steady, no trolley or zoom or anything. This is to show people that how good this girl dances, without a break in shot.

What do you think of the various dance reality shows on TV?

Most of the children who participate in them are forced by their parents to do so. They run after their kids with sticks and coax them to dance. Maa baap ke munh toh khoon lag gaya hai ki yahan se paisa ata hai. So, instead of educating them, they want their children to be trained in dance. Reality shows have become a business. Most of the parents who come to me with two-and-half and three-year-olds, ask me the first thing that what is their future in dance? Which show will you put him into? Arre yaar, she is just a three-year-old, how can she even dance? They aren't concerned that their studies are also going for a toss. You are bringing the kid for training, what the child wants later in his life should depend on him. Nobody comes just to learn dance for enjoyment.

But, you have also been a judge on various dance reality shows...

Yes, but I don't listen to the production house when they ask me to give more numbers to some kid. I give my honest opinion and not pretend to like a bad performance. I am okay if they don't call me to judge, but I don't like being told to lie. That is why corporate houses don't like me.

Among the recent lot, which film's choreography did you like most?

Every song looks the same to me these days. As soon as one formula is hit, others start doing the same. Nowadays, 200 people crowd a song, the girl is made to wear short clothes and asked to sway her waist. The camera just focuses on her legs and choreography is done. Dance is going down the gutter. Nowadays people are making dance movies in India ... Remo D'Souza madeABCD, but did he ever think that Indian dance needed to be showcased too? No! He saw Step Upand just rehashed the concept with Prabhudheva. The climax song on Ganapati was also in bad taste. But what can he do? He has to give in to pressure from the producers.

Have you ever thought of making a movie?

I have never thought of directing. If I am out of work, I might think of other avenues. But thankfully, such a situation hasn't come yet.

Who is your favourite choreographer among the new lot?

I like Prabhudheva and think he is capable. I have seen different flavours in his dance. For example, Ke sera sera. It was so well picturized. If I had got that song, I wouldn't even have thought of it. He made Madhuri dance so well. Apne barabar ka nachaya. Then he made Hrithik dance to Main aisa kyun hoon... every song of his has a different concept.

Has choreography turned into a business now?

Earlier IFDDA (Indian Film Dance Director's Association) only had 60 certified dancers. Now it is 400. Earlier there were tests, conducted by veteran choreographers, which every aspiring choreographer had to pass through. Now it's all about money. As soon as they get a certificate, they start approaching serials for work. So the real choreographers like Ahmed Khan and Farah Khan are sitting at home, because they charge according to what they deserve.

How does it feel to see someone like Sanjay Dutt, with whom you have worked a number of times, going to jail?

I feel very sad for Sanjay. But what can we do, bad habits make you suffer. He did not understand when there was time. At that time he was very hot-headed. He did not even listen to his father. Aaj apne hi karam saamne aa rahe hain.

How does it feel to see someone like Sanjay Dutt, with whom you have worked a number of times, going to jail?

I feel very sad for Sanjay. But what can we do, bad habits make you suffer. He did not understand when there was time. At that time he was very hot-headed. He did not even listen to his father. Aaj apne hi karam saamne aa rahe hain.