Bollywood seems to be wowing the West with its talent. The latest is choreographer-turned-actor Salman Yusuff Khan (of Any Body Can Dance fame), who has bagged the main negative role in Duane Adler's dance flick, Heartbeats. Duane is the writer of the hit Hollywood franchise Step Up and has also helmed Make Your Move, a South Korean-American indie dance film.

Revealing how he landed the part, an excited Salman says, “I was at a rehearsal when one of my assistants said she wanted to audition for Duane's next as they were looking for dancers from India. I was interested in choreography and learnt that my friend was casting for the film. When I met her, she spoke about a crazy character and felt I'd do a fantastic job. I thought auditioning for it would be the best way to meet the director whom I so admire.“

They have completed the first schedule of the film, which revolves around the dance scene in Mumbai. Salman concedes that this film has boosted his morale to work harder and establish himself as an actor. He adds, “I play a headstrong, over-confident and powerful personality. It's good to explore this kind of a role.“

About casting Salman, Duane says, “His energy, enthusiasm and professionalism ranks as high as that of anyone I have worked with. Salman knows what the choreographers are doing, what the cameras are looking for and what visual moments make the scenes spectacular.“