America has Bollywood dance fever!
Two weeks ago, UC Berkeley’s Hindi film dance team, Ishaara, performed for NBC’s America’s Got Talent and passed the auditions with flying colors. Their stunt-filled, synchronized dance to A.R. Rahman’s “Jai Ho” (Pussycat Dolls remix) from Slumdog Millionaire brought Bollywood dance in the national spotlight.
We wish them all the best for tonight’s next round of competition in Las Vegas!
Bollywood Hero is going to be one HUGE mini series! Premiering this Thursday August 6, 2009 on IFC. The excitement is rising to see another star studded Bollywood, Hollywood extravaganza! Brought to you by Saavn.com a behind the scenes look at the mini series from Neha Dhupia and Longi Fernandez (Slumdog Millionaire Choreographer) themselves. Check it out!
Bollywood Hero the 3 Night musical Mini Series Begins this Thursday on IFC!
Reshma: How was working with a comedian like Chris Kattan?
Longi :I could not have asked for anything better, it was a ball!
Reshma: What about Bollywood Hero will the South Asian audience in the USA relate too?
Neha: What is amazing is that, when I have traveled to the USA it always interests me that the Indians are more Indian than even in India. I think when the Asian audience in the USA will see how Bollywood Hero brought the culture of India here. At the same time it is Bollywood so they will be able to relate to both.
Pooja Kumar and Chris Kattan connect in midst of Holi celebrations
Reshma: How do you think the audience in India will relate to it?
Longi: They are going to feel proud! Everyone way back in India has been supportive with us working with such a project and with IFC and Chris Kattan.
Reshma: Can you tell me anything funny that happened behind the scenes?
Longi: There were funny incidents every second day!
Neha: Everyone always asks me how it was working with Chris. The first time I met him was in the rehearsal hall and we were rehearsing one of the song and dance sequences. We were locked in the room for hours! There were mirrors everywhere so with Longi’s choreography, my dancing and about 50 reflections of Chris. It was hilarious because everything he does is so funny. I was cracking up the entire time!
Chris Kattan dreams up a love triangle with Rachna Shah and Pooja Kumar
Reshma: Do you think the mini series could lead to a feature film?
Neha: Well I think it will be a turning point, to bringing India to the west. There has been Monsoon Wedding, Bend It Like Beckham, The Namesake , Slumdog and now Bollywood Hero. Every time I walk down the streets of New York and see the posters for Bollywood Hero I am amazed how beautiful they are. It is something that people will want to see.
Reshma: How are you similar to your character in the film?
Neha: I am not not similar at all! Its amazing how different I am. My character is someone who is an actress who is known more for her controversy than her work. She has an overbearing mother and always makes the wrong decision. I have to admit I am very far away from that.
Reshma: How do you think the Bollywood/Hollywood connection is going to be five years down the line?
Longi: Bonding. Only bonding! Bollywood at its best from here on.
Neha: I think its going to be amazing, there was a lot of Spanish influence and then French cinema influence in cinema. Whoever ends up in America ends up in the heart of cinema. The doors are open to India and as a community we are driven by entertainment. I think it’s going to be huge, Slumdog was huge and now Bollywood Hero. A few more projects like this to set the trend and get ball rolling.