Hrithik the dance ace, wants to learn afresh

On International Dance Day, eight influencers got a chance to get up, close and personal with and earn the adulation of Hrithik Roshan
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 29, 2023)

It’s a sunny day at actor Hrithik Roshan’s Juhu house overlooking the beach. We walk in to join a bunch of enthusiastic dancers who can hardly wait to meet their idol. “Main unke videos dekhte huye bada hua hoon. I can’t believe I’ve got this opportunity to meet him. I don’t know what I will say to him!” gushes Tarun Namdev, popular for his reels where he starts dancing in the middle of the road.

Eight such influencers are here on a personal invite from the actor, who walks in dot on time and delivers the perfect ice-breaker — “I am nervous because of you all!” — considering he’s unequivocally one of the top Bollywood dancers of the past two decades ever since bursting onto the scene with the iconic Ek Pal Ka Jeena (Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai, 2000).

HRITHIK, THE MENTOR
Roshan, ever the mentor and idol, often encourages budding artistes via social media — leaving likes and comments and reposting their reels on his account. But he doesn’t think this is “going the extra mile”.

“I want to touch and feel this community of dance, to understand these dancers’ lives because they inspire me. If I want to still keep learning, I have to grow with them now. I have the opportunity and access to them. It is amazing because when I was young, dance was not considered a valuable asset. So, these people have come and changed that.”

What’s his takeaway from this meetup with these people? Roshan tells us, “I have information now — that it is possible for me to pick up my phone, call one of them, and say ‘Let’s do a class’. I am seriously thinking about learning dance again. I want to start to dance, just for myself.”

The conversation between actor Hrithik Roshan and the curious bunch of eight dancers touched upon various topics, ranging from overcoming his childhood inhibitions, the people he looks up to in the world of dance to even fitness tips. In fact, he is amazed when he learns that Rohit Jethwani and Chinmay Khedekar conduct classes across Mumbai. “Why don’t I join you guys and do a class!” he exclaims.

What prompted the actor to put in so much effort in perfecting the art form? Roshan is quick to say to us, “It was a lock I think... I believe all of us are born with the dance gene. We need to expose ourselves to something that unlocks it. I think when I got exposed to Michael Jackson (late king of pop), that dormant gene in me got unlocked. I just followed that passion.”

Be it Ek Pal Ka Jeena (Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai; 2000) Dhoom Again (Dhoom 2; 2006), the Bang Bang (2014) title track or Ghungroo (War; 2019), the hook steps of Roshan’s songs stand out. Does he feel the pressure to up the ante with each song of his? “It does, but that’s what it is about. The challenge is what drives you to find the magic every time. I also have enough encouragement behind me, which I use to push myself. It is special. It is good for me,” he says.

FANS ASK HR

Who do you idolize when it comes to dance?
When I was a teen there were not many inspirations. It was either film stars, like Shammi Kapoor ji, I used to be crazy about Mr Amitabh Bachchan’s grace and Michael Jackson.

What’s the most fun song you’ve done?
Dhoom Again and Bang Bang. In Bang Bang, actually, that step where I go back, I was not at my best. Everything matters - the shoes, the friction on the floor. I used to test which shoe I can get the right amount of friction with. I changed nine pairs of shoes, took all from my house, painted them black for the song, and used a different one for each step. Main khud woh step bhool gaya hoon!

Which was the toughest song to do?
The ballet in Jaane Kiske Khwaab, from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film Guzaarish (2010). It took me a month-and-a-half to learn.

All of us are born with the dance gene: Hrithik