HOT STEPPING HEROES
Akshay Kumar is doing a Travolta in his next'Action Replay', while Shahid was a dancer in last.Here is the story of Bollywood dance,by male lead actors,down the ages-

Its 4 a.m. at Clark Quay, by the Singapore river.DJ Harvey is playing to a full house at the Rupee Room. The crowd is a mixed breed of Asians and Europeans; the song - ‘koi kahey kehta rahey’, from Dil Chata hai.

“Weekends are always jam packed”, says Dhruv Luthra, 23, a regular here” my friends and I love teaching the enthusiastic firangs Bollywood dance steps. Our favourite is,’Go-Hrithik’ a combo of Govinda and Hrithik’s steps. Everyone always joins in.”

Since circa 1935,Bombay, when K.L.Saigal ran around the trees, singing to his amour, to Danny Boyle in L.A., acknowledging Slumdog Millionaire’s choreographer (our very Bandra boy Longinus Fernandes) in his Oscar acceptance speech,Bollywood dancing has surely come full circle. Male leads in Indian Cinema have often shot to fame by the mere magic of their moves.

Magic of Imagination-Kalpana….

Dancing on celluloid by a lead hero, was first taken seriously when Indian critics sat up and noticed Shri Uday Shankar’s,’Kalpana’ (1948).The entire movie was in ballet form, depicting a dancer’s dream of setting up an academy.Shankar, sitar maestro Ravi Shankar’s elder brother, had shot for this in Gemini studios, with his wife Amala.He was known world wide for his Hindu ballet troupe and performance with Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova.

‘We were shown’ Kalpana ‘at the SDCI, it is an outstanding piece of work, ‘votes Vaibhavi Merchant, Bollywood’s ace choreographer,’ Udayji has depicted dance and music through his body, for the audience’s imagination.’


Yahoo! Chahey koi mujhey junglee kahey……
“Dance has always been an integral part of our leading men in cinema, “states Jaaved Jaaferi,” we have had it in classical and folk forms, in Gopi Krishna and Bhagwaan dada, in the facial expressions and body language of Raj Kapoor ji. While movements of other matinee idols like Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, and Rajesh Khanna were accepted because they were popular for their acting, Shammiji had an original style of dance, with stylish feet movement and the way he would jerk his head.”

Nicknamed ‘Rebel star’ by film publicist Bunny Ruben; Shammi Kapoor in his avatar of a cross between James Dean like looks and Elvis Presley like steps broke all norms of the then prevalent 'gentlemanly behaviour'. Dressed in tee shirts and leather jackets as per his wife Geeta Bali's advise.He started getting jiggy with it, gleefully tumbled down hills, raised arched brows above flirty eyes, made his heroines and audiences melt. Crooning away on screen, as the face for Rafi Saab’s voice. Numbers brilliantly composed by O.P.Nayyar and R.D.Burman for super hit Nasir Hussain played a major role for this hot stepper to set a cult that continues till date.

Taa thayya taa thayya ho…..

Few people know that Jeetendra’s first movie was as Sandhya’s double in Navrang, at the age of 17.Later,when he danced in a tee shirt and legendary white shoes, in Farz,to,’Mast baharon ka main aashiq’ he began his journey as ‘Jumping Jack.’

“My dance master, Shri B.Hiralal, was a very hard task master, but fabulous at his work.I owe him all the credit. A student is just as good as his guru is. The white shoes in that song were just incidental because I like to team the colour of my footwear with my trousers “Says young tarang Jeetendra who continued to enthrall audiences with dance performances; through 70’s, Caravan, to Tohfaa in the 80’s, often accompanied with dozens of extras and props.
Kaml Hassan who shook a talented leg in Sadma and Ek dooje ke liye on ta thayya beats ,too,was grace personified.

I am a Disco Dancer…….

Armed with a B.Sc degree in Chemistry and one from the Film and Television institute, Gouranga Chakraborty aka Mithunda won the National award for Mrigayaa and critical acclaim for Hum Paanch. It was Disco Dancer that made him the hero of the aam janta.

Dance show Boogie Woogie’s finalist, Ritu Gupta, 34, claims,’ when we mummies were asked to perform to male hero numbers, I was thrilled to be given Mithunda’s number .I have grown up watching ‘auva auva koi yahaan naachey ’and all the gals and guys at college always danced in Mithunda’s style.

The pioneer of the very sexual pelvic thrust in India, Mithunda points out,’ I loved watching Fred Astaire and Elvis Presley .I mixed my own style to theirs to create a unique one. These days, since everybody simply copies and follows western steps, dance has become monotonous, without any distinct style.


Bol baby bol, rock and roll……

Breaking the mould in the 1980’s, as a negative lead in Meri Jung, came Jaaved Jaaferi.Dancer par excellence, he brought trained, clean lines. In a combination made from ballet, jazz, martial arts, side thrusts and body control while refraining from facial expressions.

“Bandra was the place to be in,’ reminisces Jaaferi who also co produces India’s pioneer dance show on television-Boogie Woogie.My brother Naaved and I would watch videos of our favourite-Fred Astaire.Later, Saturday Night Fever and Michael Jackson numbers on VHS were available and very inspirational. Travolta brought the whole disco revolution and pelvic involvement in dance and sexuality in it with,’you should be dancing tonight’. Men started strutting after that. We would practice for hours and go to the discs and perform our thing by adding our own steps to memorized moves.”

Govinda aala re aala………

Chichi, as he is fondly called, means ‘little finger’ in Punjabi, but this ‘Virar ka chora’ turned out to be a big package. Inspired by Travolta, he made a VHS of himself, showing his groovy dance styles and circulated it to producers. When given a chance, his movies and moves made the upper stall go hopping haywire.

“I did not like the idea of sitting outside offices for long hours, dwindling my thumbs and making small talk.I concentrated on what would make me stand out from the others. My gurus Raam masterji, Saroj Khanji taught me well.I tried my best to please them. Worked hard to improve on what I was taught.Shammiji is my most favourite Bollywood dancer, rare is the ‘umda noor’ (superb illumination) that he had, amongst the industry.”

Stalwart Saroj Khan smiles as she talks about Govinda ,”When one enjoys dancing, it comes out in the pure form.Govinda has that quality ,where people who watch him ,feel like getting up to dance as well. No one can beat his expressions and timing.”

Kaho naa pyaar hai……….

Known to be the perfectionist when it comes to dance moves and grooves, Hrithik Roshan is the universal favourite.Since his debut, his Hotstepping moves are on the hot list of every dancer worth his grooves.

Famed choreographer, Terence Lewis points out,’Hrithik is the rare star who dances better than the chorographer. He takes a simple step to the next level and turns it to poetry in motion. There is such precision and clarity in his moves there is no confusion or awkwardness, however difficult the step. Generally it’s difficult for people with long limbs to dance so gracefully, he is an Ace.”

Yogen Bhagat, 35, Director of Bollywood Step Dance, in Los Angeles, U.S.A. notes,’Hrithik has a very strong connect with the audience. All our students want to learn to dance like him. While working with him for his moves, for the ‘Heartthrobs ‘world tour, I learnt how hard he works, giving more than a 100 %.There was a time when Indians learnt from foreign artists. Now, Hollywood wants to learn from Bollywood.”

Ba ba ba bhangra se le ke pop tak…….

A protégée of the Shiamak Dawer dance institute, his story reads like what every dancers dream would .First seen on screen as a background dancer to Aishwariya Rai in Taal and Karisma Kapoor in Dil Toh Pagal Hai. Shahid Kapoor’s dream debut in Ken Ghosh’s Ishq Vishk Pyaar Vyaar not only won him critical acclaim but also the Filmfare best debutante award. Besides, the film was a perfect showcase for him to show his talent at dance.

It’s Dil Bole Haddippa, from bhangra beats in Jab We Met, freestyling in Kaminey, Fancy footwork in Kismet Connection, or the recently released ‘Chance pe Dance’, Shahid’s skills are in his smooth serenades and he never fails to impress with the same.

All lead choreographers from Saroj Khan to Ahmed Khan agree that he is very sound in technique.

Popular choreographer for male leads in Bollywood, Ceaser of the Bosco Ceaser team couldn’t agree more.”Shahid is an excellent, fabulous and perfect dancer. He is very versatile and can do full justice to any kind of dance. He has no hassles and moves freely. He is smooth with traditional steps as well as modern technique. Since his core is very strong, be it B boying, krumping, pop and lock, he can synchronize it all to perfection and make it look great on screen.Definatley ,the dancing super star ”

PAPA KEHTEY HAI-



Bachna ae haseeno-The charming Rishi Kapoor had girls going crazy with his moves in movies that had foot tapping chartbusters; popular with the youth.Son Ranbir Kapoor has inherited lineage of Kapoor showmen with superb sense of rhythm and timing.


Kajrarey Kajrarey-From the bulb lit bodysuit in Yaraana to Auro’s infectious prance, from fun loving hip hop in Bluff Master and ‘Rock n roll soniye’, to perfect comic timing in Bunty and Bubli, the AB duo is hard to beat.


Hai muscular,hai popular…….but Pappu cant ….Dharampaji with all his good looks and kind nature, failed to over come two left feet as did son Sunny Deol, who would rather break limbs than the dance floor.
Box-2

Jaaved Jaaferi’s Jukebox-

TOP 5 Hollywood Song n dance numbers-



1. Singing in the rain make em laugh Donald O Conner-funny



2. Blue Skies Putting on the Ritz Fred Astaire.-classy



3. Moonwalker Smooth Criminal Michael Jackson.-trendy



4. West side story Cool Group dancing.-best group number



5. Singing in the rain Singing in the rain Gene Kelly.-best baarish number ever.


Jaaved Jaaferi’s Jukebox

Top 5 Bollywood song n dance numbers-


1. Teesri Manzil O haseena zolfonwali Shammi Kapoor.



2. Hum kisise kum nahi Competition medley Rishi Kapoor.



3. Chik puk chikpuk and Muqabla Prabhudeva.



4. Jis desh mein Ganga rehta hai, Prem jaal mein phans gaya mein toh, Govinda.



5. Lakshya Mein aisa kyun hoon? Hrithik.



Vaibhavi’s Merchandise (Ms.Merchant’s comments on the hot steppers)



Amitabh Bachhan-Abundance of talent, great sense of music, extremely gifted.


Shah Rukh Khan-Overcame his drawbacks as dancer via hard work and immense energy.


Hrithik Roshan-Was very conscious, is very sensitive and emotional feels a call to music, tireless.


Aamir –Application actor, performer. Puts in lots of effort to be the character to bring in that aspect of personality of the role played.


Salman-Really stylish, very lazy, like a baby needs to be pushed. Excellent once he believes in doing it.


Saif Ali Khan-Intelligent metro sexual .Has to mentally prepare to overcome awkwardness, but comes along and delivers.


Shahid Kapoor-Exceptional has come of his own. Very well trained and quick learner. Capable of holding longer beats. Balances face and body language perfectly.


Ranbir Kapoor-Born for the camera, great potential, natural dancer, very talented.


Abhishek Bachhan-Brat, wonderful timing, reads the move very well, understands work, trusts his choreographer.


Farhan Akhtar-Very new, very stylish, knows good moves, has come out of his shell.

ONEROUS SOORATS OF OUR U.P.BROTHERS................
Bidhna ne ek purkh banaya, tiriya di aur naeh lagaya.
Chook hui kuch wa sey aisee, des chhod hua pardesi.*
These lines are a riddle by Amir Khusrau,India’s esteemed ,prolific poet .He who is known to have introduced ghazals to the world, whose tender words ignite love into hearts and spring tears into the eyes.Khusrau was a master of both Hindi and Persian ; his couplets often intermingled the two languages, bringing out new meanings from the puns involved. He hailed from Uttar Pradesh, the soil of origin of Ramlila and Qawallis.
In fact Uttar Pradesh has literally been the abode of our country’s best literature.Valmiki and Vyaasa,Kabir and Ghalib,Premchand , Vishnu Sarma [ Panchtantra],Mirza Hadi Ruswa[umrao jaan],Naushad to Majrooh Sultanpuri the list is endless. Famous freedom fighters, most of our Prime Ministers, numerous talented actors, directors, musicians and singers are from U.P.-The birth place of Lord Rama and Krishna.
Closer home, there are various faces of talented and hard working U.P.bhaiyyajis that we see in our day to day lives.........
Other than the educated babu brigade in white collar jobs, our dependence on this community is phenomenal.
The first phone calls that go out in the morning from most sub urban homes in Surat are those to the vegetable vendor .One of whom is Mishraji and his troupe of men at Parle Point ,ever ready to home deliver ordered goods .Whether its broccoli or bhaji, kiwi or kakdi.He makes sure that his clients are always happy .Sardar market, Surat’s wholesale subzimandi ,is abuzz as early as 4.a.m.with men like Mishraji who make sure that they hastily carry fresh farm produce to all the nakas and sheris of Tapi town.Whats more ,if you ever need a maharaj[cook] or driver ,Mishraji’s network is far more trustworthy and effecient than any other placement agency to find someone apropos to the job.
Most of the security guards and elevator operators in apartments and at offices; not to mention the energetic Man Fridays around the textile market who toil relentlessly under heavy burdens are from the land of Nehru.Also, industrialists who run looms and weaving machines, prefer labourers from U.P.since they work the hardest often putting in 24 hour shifts in exchange of meagre compensation. Resorting to just a quick break for khichdi and aloo pyaaz sabzi as relief. Rare for locals to do that.
During the Plague and post the floods, when most Surtis abandoned town, it is this community who stayed back, working away due to their vulnerability, even as things slowly paced back to normal.
The steaming chai lahris from Varaccha to Pandesara,that constantly concoct refreshing cuppas of cutting tea, the innumerable Benarasi Paanwalas from Citylight to Chautapul who artistically prepare ‘teen items’ and ‘magai jodis,’the enthusiastic dhobi from down the road who steam irons out the worst machine washed creases,people who make day to day life easy,people who inconspicuously play important roles in our lives invariably are bhaiyyajis from U.P.They have smoothly woven themselves into the warp and weft of our city,easily communicating with and reaching out to Surtis from all walks of life. Siesta loving Surtis would rather find an easier means of living than slog.
Take an autorickshaw ride around Tapitown and you will get to know interesting tales from the native of India’s heartland.80% of Surat’s rickshaw drivers are from Uttar Pradesh. Gentle prodding often results in a great story from the lonely choras of Ganga kinaras; who lead lives of’khoon, pasina and ganja.’ I once learnt how Benarasi bhang is smuggled into the town hidden neatly among packets of sing -channas that are brought in with the migrants. Consumed to celebrate happy occasions, it is provided generously to all who come asking for it during Holi, Shivratri and other festivities.
Surtis are passionate about food .Other than their staple diet, they regularly relish, naans and Paneer makhani, Soda shikanjvis, Samosas and Nalli Niharis, Dum phukt biryanis and tikkas-kebabs; in short all the cuisine from the land of the Nawabs.Most of our restaurants and bakeries have chefs and bakers from U.P. Masters of the North Indian cuisine; they provide Surtis yummy, finger licking delights.
Easily the largest community involved in laborious jobs around our town; for them their work is their worship. A way of life however difficult the chore. They believe each city has its own special field.’ Delhi mein rajniti, Lucknow mein khaana, Jaipur mein ghoomna, Mumbai mein phillum line aur gaana, Surat mein, ’toh note chaapney ki machine hai, mehnat se paisa kamaana ki.’ Is their mantra.
Ask any of them ,’Bhaiyyaji aap kahaan ke hai?’ and the prompt reply generally is ,’Hum Hindustani hai.’Little wonder then that they speak in Hindi, our National language, the Lingua Franca that makes them feel at home irrespective of whichever part of the country they choose to make their abode.
*‘God created man, provided him body and soul; But alas! The man committed a mistake, had to leave home and be a foreigner.’That’s the translation to Khusrau’s riddle; the answer to it is –Adam.