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Shiamak Davar: Yash Chopra wanted me to choreograph ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ but I was scared my style of dancing would never work – #Big Interview | Hindi Movie News


In 1997, with the release of ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’ by Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit and Karisma Kapoor, Bollywood’s dance style saw a transformation into a whole new form. The film was acclaimed not only for its story and performance, but also for its choreography. And that is how Shiamak Davar was introduced to the world by his unique approach and Western influences in dance. His unique vision has worked wonders on the screen, giving audiences real-life dance performances they rarely see in Hindi films. ETimes reached out to the brilliant choreographer to chat about his journey into cinema. Shiamak recalls his trials and tribulations, and reveals some of his collaborations with artists such as Vishal Bhardwaj, Shah Rukh Khan And Yash Chopra. He also revealed his love for RRR’s ‘Naatu Naatu’ and the prospect of winning an Oscar.

The name Shiamak Davar has become a dance brand. But has your journey to success been difficult?

I went through terrible struggles. At first, a male dancer was not accepted and schools often closed in front of me. Principals of schools once said that they could not let boys teach Western dance to girls in their schools. I went through a tremendous struggle to get over that. Starting a dance class is another struggle but thank God I’ve really worked on my art. I feel like people who don’t work with their art will never be able to compete with today’s superstars. Because the stars have been through pain and struggle to get where they are. No one can become a star without training and hard work. Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Ishaan Khatter and Shahid Kapoor, all of which are well-trained dancers. Real legends work on their craft.

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Who do you consider the legend of their craft?
When I say legendary, I mean working with people like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan and Abhishek Bachchan. They are wonderful to work with. And then we work with juniors and we can feel that there is a zameen aasmaan difference.

Can you explain that difference?
The legends are humble, they don’t make my dancers wait, they arrive on time, they learn their job and they don’t change the choreography. Today, if SRK broke his leg and broke his back, he would still perform for me. I remember during one of the Awards functions, SRK was injured, but he performed for me. These legends will follow our guide the way we say and the new legends will bring their own directors and choreographers, I don’t know what they want to do. I feel very sad. That’s why I love my legends. Old is gold, no matter what you say!

You recently shared a photo of Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan on social media. What’s the story behind that?
The photo was taken during one of the Filmfare Awards and I know Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan very well thanks to their work. I’ve worked with them before, especially with SRK because he and Uncle Yash (Chopra) are the ones who really wanted me to do ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’. Actually, it was Shah Rukh who forced me to act. Interestingly, Uncle Yash (Chopra) even offered me to play ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’, but at that time, I didn’t do this movie because I was scared and worried about my dancing style. . I thought my choreography would never work.

salman and srk

What convinced you to agree with ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’?
Gauri often comes to my classes and Shah Rukh often comes to pick her up. He would stand in class, puffing on a cigarette, patiently waiting for her like a loving husband (laughs). Literally, I like an admiring husband. One day he told me there was a movie coming out and he wanted me to do it. SRK invited me to dinner and I was surprised ‘why did he call me to dinner?’. But when I got there, SRK asked me to do ‘DTPH’. He convinced me by telling me they wanted my dance style. Quite frankly, if Shah Rukh hadn’t convinced me, I’m sure I wouldn’t have played ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’ either. Because my dance style is very different. It was the West but Uncle Yash (Chopra) believed in me and SRK pushed me further. So I’m glad I did the movie.

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Are Shah Rukh Khan and you still inspiring each other?
These days, I am really excited for Shah Rukh. ‘Pathaan’ is doing great. I called him and told him how excited and excited I am to see him back. I want him to perform my shows again, I really miss him.

With ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’, the audience witnessed a whole new dance style. What freedom do you have as a choreographer, since dance is the soul of the film?
So when I was on ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’, I said to Uncle Yash, ‘Now that I’m doing it, I need the troupe, the costumes, and my understanding of the music’. So even when Uttam Singh was composing the song jugalbandi (Dance of Jealousy) with Madhuri and Karisma, I said that I wanted to put music in the dance song. I came up with the idea of ​​music. I have full control over the music and dance of the movie. If someone is hiring me as a professional, they should get the best from me. And Uncle Yash allows everything. He agrees with my clothes, music, choreography and everything. That’s why I was able to act like a good choreographer.

Your album ‘Mohabbat Kar Le’ was released the same year as DTPH. How did that song get to the movie?
When I was practicing with Madhuri in my dance studio, just for the practice I said, let me play my song Mohabbat Karle Re. Uncle Yash went crazy after hearing the song and decided to put it in the movie. That’s how the song ends in the movie.

Your songs Jaane Kisne and Mohabbat Kar Le are still favorites with music fans. Have you ever thought about reviving the singing profession?
I actually have a few music video songs coming out but I have to be free and currently my dance lessons take up a lot of my time. I teach there and we offer scholarships, which are year-long programs, specifically for gifted, lower-income kids. Between my school and the Book A Smile foundation, we are running this one-year scholarship program. My school is very important to me and that is the main reason I am where I am today. There is also the My Winning Arts Foundation, for people with special needs. For those who don’t have money, the fund will pay for their education, food, lodging, accommodation and everything. All that work is keeping me busy.

How did you collaborate with Vishal Bhardwaj for the musical short film ‘Fursat’?
I have been a huge fan of Vishal Bhardwaj since I watched ‘Omkara’ and ‘Kaminey’. I also like all of his other movies. I just called him and said ‘I’m a huge fan and I want to work with you’. He was very taken aback and said, ‘Shiamak Davar is saying this to me?’. But gradually, the collaboration happened with the short film ‘Fursat’. One day he was just retelling the story and while listening to it, I told him that I wanted to show him something. It was something that I worked on then. It’s an Indo-contemporary style very different from the Shiamak Davar style that people saw in ‘DTPH’. I showed Vishal a video and he lost his mind. He immediately said that he wanted the style in the movie. I rebutted him and asked if it was possible because the style was so ‘hatke’. I also asked him, what would the customer say? But Vishal was adamant about bringing that style of choreography into the film. When we started auditioning, he wanted Ishaan (Khatter) and I was happy because he was my student and he knew Shiamak dance style. Then a sweet girl named Wamiqa (Gabbi) also boarded the train. Before Ishaan, a boy who had acted in a movie appeared in the picture, but he was so proud that we couldn’t capture him. Then Ishaan comes and we are relieved. My assistant directors, Jai and Anisha, both handled the shot and did a great job with Vishal. And Vishal had the courage to do my Indo-contemporary choreography. That’s why I love him.

Shiamak Davar

Years ago, you said in an interview that Shahid Kapoor has more potential and people still haven’t seen the best in him. After so many years and so many outstanding performances by Shahid, would you still say the same?
I would still say the same. Shahid has done excellently in films like ‘Kaminey’, Padmaavat by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Kabir Singh and others. But I will still say that people haven’t seen the best of Shahid yet. Because I’ve watched Shahid dance and he hasn’t been choreographed in a way that drives people crazy. He is a good dancer.

The song “Naatu Naatu” from “RRR” was nominated for an Oscar. What is your opinion on the song’s choreography?
I just can’t tell you how excited I was when I heard about the nomination. The choreography is excellent. The music is amazing and what should I say about SS Rajamouli? He did a wonderful job. I know Ram Charan very well when I worked with him on an award ceremony in Chennai. He is a humble, warm and very talented guy. When I saw Ram in ‘RRR’ I went completely crazy and called him and said, ‘I love him for what he did in the movie’. How Ram and Jr. NTR’s performance was unbelievable. Both are legends. I really wish and pray they win an Oscar.
The choreography is awesome. When people work this way, they tend to inspire people and I was inspired by Naatu Naatu’s choreography. Today, we see dances that look very similar. Although the steps and footwork are different, they ultimately look the same. But the footwork shown in ‘Naatu Naatu’ is excellent. We see a lot of footwork in many contemporary songs, such as the song ‘Pathaan’ Jhoome Re Pathaan, which has a lot of footwork. Then there is the theme song Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 by Kartik Aaryan which has a lot of footsteps. They are all great but after watching ‘Naatu Naatu’, with its legendary footsteps, we have to wonder what will happen next?

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