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My dark skin got me rejected: Remo
Dance India Dance choreographer talks about countering rejecting because of his dark skin and other professional highs
| Remo |
and lows
What got you interested in dance? Did your family support your decision?
Since childhood, I had an inclination towards dance. I used to watch dance videos and copy the steps. My family was always against it and wanted me to be a pilot. I don't come from a financially well off family. I have four sisters and a younger brother, my father was in the Air Force but he was not at a high level.
What was your first step towards your profession?
I took a month's permission from my parents and went to Mumbai to achieve my goal. But after one month nothing happened and they asked me to return and I made some excuses to stay at Mumbai only.
What problems did you face during the initial days?
During my struggling days, I had to go through discrimination because of my dark complexion. I was rejected because of my dark skin. I still remember when I was called by Raju Khan for the movie Aar Ya Par, there were around 40 boys and the selection criteria was only looks. On the sets of Rangeela, I was again rejected because of my complexion but I was confident of my dancing skills, so I asked them to let me perform once and then reject me. When I performed in front of the crew and the other boys who came for the audition, the assistant choreographer was impressed and I was selected as a back-up dancer.
Do you think Paulson, one of your team members in Dance India Dance (DID), will face the same discrimination because of his dark skin?
Paulson has a dark complexion but he also has good features, which I lacked. Today, the trend too has changed. It's not about just about complexion but a combination of good physique and talent. Paulson is talented and I think people will appreciate his talent and vote for him on the basis of that, not only his skin tone.
Now when you're successful, do you still come across discrimination?
Today, I have made my mark in the industry. People know me for my work and I'm no longer victimised. I've gone through four stages to reach at this position. In the first, I was a newcomer in the industry and a victim of discrimination whereas in the second stage, when people discovered my talent, I became a part of the extra dancers. While in the third stage, I was always in the front row and from there, I got selected as an assistant choreographer. I wonder how they feel working with somebody they once rejected!
Do you find yourself unduly favouring those with a dark complexion?
Not really ... I do take their talent into consideration but not their skin tone. In my team of 22, I have 4 to 5 members with dark complexion.
Do you think you should have taken dancing lessons to polish your skill?
I don't believe a dancing school would have polished my skills, but yes, when I hear Terrence using technical words I wish I could do the same!
What are the main requirements for a successful choreographer?
Creativity is very important as it helps you to experiment. People like watching innovative stuff. Secondly, the technical aspects, which you learn with experience and can experiment with.
Have you experimented on the sets of DID?
DID is a platform where I can play and experiment freely, which is not possible in films. There are numerous dance shows and the audience will watch only if you give something extra and unique. Till now, people have appreciated my efforts and made me successful as a mentor.
Dance forms have changed over a period of time ... how do you keep up?
Initially, it was only Bollywood style of dancing but now we have Jazz, Freestyle, Hip- Hop, Salsa, Rambha, Locking and Popping and much more. The music videos started the trend followed by movies. In this era of globalization, we have international choreographers also coming in. Innovations by different choreographers also gave rise to new dance forms.
In DID, who are your favourite contestants and why?
I really like Prince, because for the first time I have come across a dancer who can perform locking and popping impeccably. I also like Salman, because of his excellent lifting style, the way he can lift a girl is tremendous.
What advice or suggestions do you give your students?
I ask them to be good human beings and never let success dominate them. Be down-to-earth and give your best. I also ask them to give special attention to their fitness as negligence can ruin their career.
What got you interested in dance? Did your family support your decision?
Since childhood, I had an inclination towards dance. I used to watch dance videos and copy the steps. My family was always against it and wanted me to be a pilot. I don't come from a financially well off family. I have four sisters and a younger brother, my father was in the Air Force but he was not at a high level.
What was your first step towards your profession?
I took a month's permission from my parents and went to Mumbai to achieve my goal. But after one month nothing happened and they asked me to return and I made some excuses to stay at Mumbai only.
What problems did you face during the initial days?
During my struggling days, I had to go through discrimination because of my dark complexion. I was rejected because of my dark skin. I still remember when I was called by Raju Khan for the movie Aar Ya Par, there were around 40 boys and the selection criteria was only looks. On the sets of Rangeela, I was again rejected because of my complexion but I was confident of my dancing skills, so I asked them to let me perform once and then reject me. When I performed in front of the crew and the other boys who came for the audition, the assistant choreographer was impressed and I was selected as a back-up dancer.
Do you think Paulson, one of your team members in Dance India Dance (DID), will face the same discrimination because of his dark skin?
Paulson has a dark complexion but he also has good features, which I lacked. Today, the trend too has changed. It's not about just about complexion but a combination of good physique and talent. Paulson is talented and I think people will appreciate his talent and vote for him on the basis of that, not only his skin tone.
Now when you're successful, do you still come across discrimination?
Today, I have made my mark in the industry. People know me for my work and I'm no longer victimised. I've gone through four stages to reach at this position. In the first, I was a newcomer in the industry and a victim of discrimination whereas in the second stage, when people discovered my talent, I became a part of the extra dancers. While in the third stage, I was always in the front row and from there, I got selected as an assistant choreographer. I wonder how they feel working with somebody they once rejected!
Do you find yourself unduly favouring those with a dark complexion?
Not really ... I do take their talent into consideration but not their skin tone. In my team of 22, I have 4 to 5 members with dark complexion.
Do you think you should have taken dancing lessons to polish your skill?
I don't believe a dancing school would have polished my skills, but yes, when I hear Terrence using technical words I wish I could do the same!
What are the main requirements for a successful choreographer?
Creativity is very important as it helps you to experiment. People like watching innovative stuff. Secondly, the technical aspects, which you learn with experience and can experiment with.
Have you experimented on the sets of DID?
DID is a platform where I can play and experiment freely, which is not possible in films. There are numerous dance shows and the audience will watch only if you give something extra and unique. Till now, people have appreciated my efforts and made me successful as a mentor.
Dance forms have changed over a period of time ... how do you keep up?
Initially, it was only Bollywood style of dancing but now we have Jazz, Freestyle, Hip- Hop, Salsa, Rambha, Locking and Popping and much more. The music videos started the trend followed by movies. In this era of globalization, we have international choreographers also coming in. Innovations by different choreographers also gave rise to new dance forms.
In DID, who are your favourite contestants and why?
I really like Prince, because for the first time I have come across a dancer who can perform locking and popping impeccably. I also like Salman, because of his excellent lifting style, the way he can lift a girl is tremendous.
What advice or suggestions do you give your students?
I ask them to be good human beings and never let success dominate them. Be down-to-earth and give your best. I also ask them to give special attention to their fitness as negligence can ruin their career.
cheers
resh
