Ganesh Hegde on the rise

By: Faridoon Shahryar, IndiaFM

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

"All this Khan versus Khan thing is being blown out of proportion. I am shooting the title track of Don in July while Salman's Rockstar concert is happening now, so how can the dates clash. I am good friends with Salman and all this media hype shouldn't spoil it," says an irritated Ganesh Hegde, a super Choreographer who's unnecessarily dabbling in the world of pop music chivalry with the release of his album G.

Ganesh's dance moves are mesmerizing. Fiza, Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya, Lagaan, Company and Koi Mila Gaya are a few of the films graced by his sensuous dance steps. He opened the act for his childhood idol Michael Jackson and Shaggy during their Indian leg of tour. "It was a dream come true to meet Michael. I met him backstage. I've grown up on his dance," he says excitedly. "Apart from Michael I've always idolized Amit Ji with whom I had the good fortune to work with. Alas I couldn't meet my other hero Kishore Da. He went a bit too much before time."

Like his hero Kishore Kumar, Ganesh is a damn good performer during live shows. He has done over 100 stage shows all over the world and the demand is ever growing. "I am performing at the F Awards on 14th May. Looking forward to that," he says. During one such show, someone told him that his singing voice sounds similar to Kishore Kumar. Ganesh took it a wee bit too seriously for within no time he was out with a pop album narcissistically named G and the below average video track Main Deewana Hoon was blaring from all TV channels.

"It was a big launch. There were eighteen stars including Shahrukh, Hrithik, Abhishek, Rani, Mallika Sherawat etc." It seems Shahrukh encouraged you a lot. "Shahrukh is great. He goes out of the way to help people." Any film offers since the release of your music video? "Yes, I've been offered five films. I have already refused two, one of which is being done by Dino. It was in Kannada. I am considering the other offers." What else has changed in your life off late? "The response to my album has been very good. The kids love it, the girls, the boys, everyone has liked it. They wanna dance like me. People have offered me avenues to start dance schools both in India as well as abroad, do TV series etc."

Ganesh Hegde, like fellow choreographers Farah Khan, Ahmad Khan and Raju Khan, also plans to direct a film once the timing is right. "I have a good sense of humour, it will help the film. And anyways I have directed my own video so I have some experience already." It is apparent that Hegde is putting his feet in two many boats. He must realize that he is best at Choreographing and should stick to that. Remember what happened to Sonu Nigam when he tried his luck with being a "Hero". It is better to do what you know best, rather than delivering half-baked-entertainment.