EXCLUSIVE: Sandip Soparrkar On Groundbreaking Collab With GenS Life; Spills Beans On Priyanka, Hrithik & More

Sandip Soparrkar Exclusive Interview On Collaboration With GenS Life: Kala Ghoda Arts Festival has been witnessing an outstanding set of performances by 40 senior dancers, aged 60 plus, hosted by GenS Life and choreographed by the renowned Sandip Soparrkar. Ahead of the Silver Jubilee celebrations, choreographer-actor Sandip Soparrkar sat down with Filmibeat for an exclusive chit chat session where he expressed his excitement about the groundbreaking collaboration with GenS Life. He spilled beans about Priyanka Chopra, Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai and also shared his take on dance reality shows.

1) What was the inspiration behind this unique collaboration? What motivated you to work with GenS Life and choreograph an act celebrating the older adults, aged 60+, at Kala Ghoda Arts Festival?

The best part that I felt when I was talking to Meenakshi Menon, who's the Founder of GenS Life, is the vision that they have for the seniors of our country. We forget that after turning 60, we still have time to do things that we haven't been able to do in our lives. I think that vision which she had, I just completely loved it. I remember her telling me one very beautiful thing. We are only living for other people. As seniors, you have your life too. Retirement means that it's time for your the retirement for your responsibilities as well. You have to live your life now. I think that is the most beautiful motto.

2) What is that one thing that you have learned from them? All of them are above 60 and you have just entered in your 60s. So, one thing that you picked up from them that you would like inculcate in your own life.

Their sense of time and enthusiasm. So, at 3.30 pm, they all are there practicing. When I walk in at 3.50 pm, they are already ready with warm up and with one or two practices done. I think it's a lesson for me. They have so much energy and their enthusiasm only wants you to do more for them. What Gens Life is doing for them, it's something extraordinary. The Kala Gowda Festival has been going on for 25 years. And for the first time in 25 years, a group of senior citizens will perform there. Not just one or two, but 45 senior citizens will perform there. And our song, our anthem is called 'Kahaani Abhi Baaki Hai'. It is a song by Padmashree Usha Uthup.

3) You have worked as a choreographer in films like '7 Khoon Maaf', 'Kites' and more. How different it was to work with Priyanka Chopra, Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai? Because all three of them are great dancers.

Brilliant is a small word, they are just absolutely a delight to work with. With Aishwarya, I had done many films. She is indeed the most beautiful woman on this planet, and when I say beautiful, I just don't mean physical beauty, I mean even the intelligence, even the presence, it is so dynamic. If you give her A, you will probably get a Z, till Z from her, because that is what her capabilities are. If I talk about Hrithik Roshan, I think the ultimate dancing star is Hrithik Roshan. Unke saath mein aisa hai ki dar lagta hai, aap unko ek step dikhayenge, aaj theek hai, wo already stage pe, camera pe jo bhi karenge. Ab next time se milenge, so we have to go better than previous step, so next time better than the previous step, the next step better. And Priyanka Chopra I think is a somebody, an institution to learn from

4) You have worked with both Hollywood and Bollywood stars. Who do you think are more professional to work with?

Well, star wise I would say all are equally professional, but I think in terms of work ethics or working conditions, I would say Hollywood is better. They pay you whenever you are working overtime.

5) Do you think dance reality shows nowadays are more about the TRP ratings than the actual dance?

I honestly believe that reality shows are not real. I think they have become more comedy shows, and dance has gone out of the box. According to me, you dance with your body, your expression, and here I am seeing people doing gulathiyas, jumping, cartwheels, so they do gymnastics. A dancer should dance with his hands, his feet, and with his facial expressions, if you just lift your legs and dance, then I don't think that is dance. The show might look grand, production quality is very high, but there is a comedy show going on in between, the dance is lost. Honestly speaking, I don't even watch them anymore because where is the dance now?