Have you worked with Allu Arjun before ‘Pushpa’?
Yes. I choreographed songs of films like ‘Sarrainodu’ and ‘DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham’. I had also choreographed ‘Tako Tako Megha’ song in ‘Pushpa’. After that I got busy with other work and then I came back to choreograph ‘Oo Antava’ song featuring Samantha.
So, the film was to release on 17
th December and Allu Arjun called me on 2
nd or 3
rd saying Masterji we want to do a song and all that. I told him that it’s really on short notice and I have a cataract surgery tomorrow. But then the producers spoke with the doctor and moved the date and called me to choreograph the song. We rehearsed for two days and started the shoot. I choreographed Samantha for the first time.
How was your experience working with Samantha?
I wanted to choreograph the song differently and give a different attitude to the song. Samantha was very nervous because the song was planned all of a sudden. She didn’t know that I was going to choreograph. I guess someone else was going to choreograph the song but then Allu Arjun called me to choreograph it.
I briefed them on how I wanted to do the song and how we will do the sensual moves. They rehearsed it for two days and did justice to the song.
How do you find Allu Arjun as a performer, actor, and producer?
He is a very good dancer and actor and an understanding human being. He understands what a choreographer wants from him. And he calls me because he knows I make him do small-small steps and expressions which he likes. He expects Bollywood tadka from me.
I gave that ‘pinch move’ in ‘Oo Antava’ as there’s a ‘Ganesh Acharya hook step’ in every song I do. I used the cigarette element because the character smokes. I pick up these things. It’s a god’s gift. Other than that a step becoming ‘hit’ is totally dependent on whether the audience likes it or not.
How do you handle sensuality? What role does the artist play in such steps?
See, the artists do what we tell them to do. And I don’t like to make the steps vulgar. Whether it is ‘Chikni Chameli’, ‘Chhamma Chhamma’, ‘Beedi Jalai Le’, I know how to present and actor/dancer. I know in which genre this song might or might not go. Item songs are aimed at the male audience but I changed that genre’s image with ‘Chikni Chameli’. Item songs are for everyone. I have done the same with ‘Oo Antava’.
There are different ways to show sensuality. I don’t believing in exposing too much. Even if a lady lifts her sari a little from her feet, it can look sexy. Attitude is good enough to look sensuous. Both Samantha and Allu Arjun brought a certain attitude to the song and I think that’s why this song has worked well.
I thank Samantha and Allu Arjun that they gave me that song to choreograph. Allu Arjun puts faith in me. He gets the nuances of what I want in the song correctly. Also, the director Sukumar is a dear friend. He’s only 4 months younger to me. But he calls me Chhota Bhai and I call him Bada Bhai jokingly.
People here are shocked that I have choreographed songs in the South. Allu Arjun calls me so I choreograph songs for him. Otherwise I’m pretty occupied with Akshay Kumar. We did some 7-8 films during the lockdown. ‘Bachchan Pandey’ is going to release soon.
What’s the difference between the two industries?
I don’t understand North or South. I understand my talent and what I can do with god’s grace. There’s no big difference in the workings of both industries. It’s an assumption that people in Hindi are unprofessional and unpunctual. But I don’t see that. People arrive on time, do their work and go home. The only difference is the language.
Who’s the best dancer from South and Bollywood?
It’s a politically tricky question for me. All are equal to me. If I have done a song with Sunny ji (Deol) then I’ll say Sunny ji is good dancer. Between Prabhas and Allu Arjun, the latter is a better dancer which Prabhas would himself agree.
My Guru, Kamal Masterji taught me ‘jaisa des waise bhes’. ‘Jo achha karta hai usse achha karao. Jo achha nahin karta usse bhi achha karao.’ Work around an actor’s strengths and weaknesses. I follow that advice.
Any plans with Govinda?
No plans at the moment.
What are the new projects you’ve worked on?
‘Bachchan Pandey’, ‘Cinderella’, ‘Ram Setu’, ‘Adipurush’ are gearing up for release. I have also acted in a film titled ‘Dehati Disco’ which might also release soon.
