It would surely be great to get to know more about everybody’s favourite and the supremely talented man who surely knows an art of making everybody groove on the beats. So, let’s get into a free-flowing conversation with the Dance Guru–Ganesh Acharya.
Excerpts from the interview:
Sir, please share some memories of your early life (childhood, before you entered Bollywood)?
I am a Mumbai chawl boy who had to start working at an early age due to my father’s demise.He left for the heavenly abode when I was 11 years old. So, to support my family, I dropped outof school and moved to Cuttak, Orrisa, where my sister taught me to dance.
‘Dance is an art, and not everyone can be an artist’ so what made you fall in love with dancing?
Art had always been around me as my father Mr. Krishna Gopi, m was a choreographer as well as a dancer. And after he left the world, I got more connected to dancing.
Share the incident, which made you decide to pursue dance as a career?
As I told you my life journey took turns which made me choose to become a junior artist at the age of 11 years. When I turned 12, I started my own dance group and became a choreographer when I was 19 years old.
Among all the songs you’ve choreographed, which one is ‘your’ favourite?
See, my debut movie was Anaam, when I was 21. So, over the years I have choreographed numerous dance numbers and all are my favourite. But to be specific and if I have to name few, then it has to be- Goria churana, Chikni chameli, Laxmi bomb and Oo antava.
Which actor/actress is your all-time favourite to dance with or to choreograph?
No doubt about it, it always has to be Govinda. For me Govinda and Mr. David Dhawan are my Godfathers.
Share an incident during a song’s choreography, when you had the most fun?
I am doing what I actually love to do. I love the whole process that goes behind every dance. So, I have fun during every song.
In your lifetime, which song or actor, you find the most difficult to choreograph?
It may sound funny, but it is Govinda, who is my favourite as well as the one whom I find the most difficult to choreograph.
What was the feeling when you received ‘National Film Awards for Best Choreography’ for the song ‘hawan kund’?
The First one always remains special and close to heart. It’s great when you get appreciated for your work. I felt blessed when I won the first National Film Award of my career for this song from the acclaimed biographical sports drama Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.
How did you decide to start acting as well?
The opportunity came to me and I thought why not let’s try something different and challenging.
Share your experience of writing, directing and producing ‘Swami’ starring Manoj Bajpai and Juhi Chawla?
I really enjoyed my debut film and felt satisfied that I made a movie of that kind.
‘ABCD: Any Body Can Dance’ had a huge cast! Share some experience from the sets.
What to say about this one! It’s great that the audience loved it. For me, it was a fun learning experience with fabulous and talented performers around
Sir, please share something about your upcoming projects?
So, “Dehati Disco”, a recently released film in which I acted, is loved and appreciated by everyone, so there is a plan for its sequel. Related to choreography, different projects are there where I have worked and you will be able to see it soon.
Sir, have you ever been to Uttarakhand? What was your experience? (‘If not’) would you like to visit the state sometime?
Ye s ,I have been to devbhoomi , Uttarakhand. It’s a state which makes you feels more connected to the nature
What is the one place in Uttarakhand which you loved the most?
There is an abundance of natural beauty in this state. Every nook and corner will leave you captivated. But if I have to name only one place, then it would be
Tehri.