From choreography to direction

The word Choreographer was coined in the later years of cinema. Initially, the director would direct the songs along with the script and then dance master came into the picture. Choreography soon got its due recognition as a well-defined career. Choreography and direction maintain a hand in glove relationship. Perhaps, that"s why out tinsel town choreographers have been turning directors. Prabhu Deva is the latest entrant in the list who has been a league apart choreographer, and is often referred to have a rubber body. Prabhu has directed many films down south, but with his upcoming film Wanted he had stepped into Bollywood. The film stars Salman Khan and Ayesha Takia Azmi and is slated to release this Friday. With Prabhu becoming the latest example of choreographer turning directors let peep into the past and check out the choreographers who have already reinvented the career in direction.

Ahmed Khan: This choreographer brought grace to not just Urmila"s dance quotient in Rangeela way back in 1995 but brought the concept of contemporary dance style. The amazing part of this choreographer turned director is the fact-Rangeela was his debut venture as a choreographer. Remember 'Tanha Tanha Yahan Pe Jeena", the choreography still flutters many hearts even today. Then there was no looking back. Satya, Taal, Ishq Vishq, Salaam Namaste exhibited his versatility as a choreographer. Kaminey was the recent feather to his over-loaded cap. And after almost a decade, this Khan ventured into direction and painted the canvas with Lakeer and soon after some years Fool N Final. Although, these films didn"t work wonders at the box-office but with Yahan Ke Hum Sikander, he is all set to hit back with a bang. In the meanwhile, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani and Dulha Mil Gaya are some good films in his kitty as a choreographer.

Farah Khan: is another choreographer who saw the evolution of dance masters to choreographers. The Khan ladies namely Farah and Saroj were always overhead collision (competition) with each other in terms of profession for sometime, but soon things sorted out. Farah Khan brought new dimensions to dancing styles with Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai, Dil Chahta Hai, Dil Se and many more. Her choreography and professionalism was lately appreciated by Kylie Minogue international pop star who could not withhold herself raving about the ace-choreographer. Farah has choreographed the dance steps of Kylie in Akshay Kumar starrer Blue. Blue and Main Aurr Mrs. Khanna are two of her films releasing this year as a choreographer. However, this choreographer became an exception as a celebrated director as well. With SRK starrer Main Hoon Na and Om Shanti Om she proved her director-prowess. She is all set with Happy New Year, yet again, with King Khan and sensuous Deepika Padukone; the film is slated to release this year.

Ganesh Acharya: He has a long list of tracks to boast off his tremendous energy and versatility that he puts in his songs. Ganesh Acharya is renowned for setting the dance floor on fire. Be it Chichi in all the No. 1 titled films or Khiladi Kumar, he has made one and all dance, from Big B to Hrithik Roshan. Baabarr is his latest release, which is minting money at the box-office. He realized the career in choreography way back in 1992, but reinvented his career as a director with Swami in 2007 and later Money Hai Toh Honey Hai in 2008. Unfortunately, both the films did not do great business at the box-office.

Remo D"Souza: Ace-choreographer Remo of 'Dance India Dance" fame has recently turned director with the announcement of his debut venture, a comedy titled Faltu. The film is a satire on present education system and Remo is in talks with Amitabh Bachchan and Om Puri for the lead roles, and has also signed Chandan Roy Sanyal of Mikhail- Kaminey fame. Faltu would be Remo"s first Hindi commercial film since he has already ventured in Bengali cinema with a directorial venture called 'Lal Paharer Katha" (a story of the red hills) which went to Dubai Film festival recently. Remo too has been well acknowledged as a choreographer with films Kaante, Chameli, Dhoom, Rock On! and many more.