High on dance

Choreographer Bosco Martis, who made Shahid Kapoor fly in “Udta Punjab”, talks about his rise in the film industry and his plans to direct a film

June 29, 2016 11:00 pm | Updated September 16, 2016 04:59 pm IST

Bosco Martis.

Bosco Martis.

Known for bringing a racy appeal to Hindi film songs Bosco Martis made Bollywood songs look like music videos of international artists. Remember “Dus Bahane” and “Ishq Samundar”? The films flopped but the songs simply flew and Bosco with his partner Caesar became a brand. When the purists criticised them, they showed their versatility with “Senorita”, which won them the National Award. However, at the top of their career, the duo parted ways. Like most of his colleagues, Bosco is also aspiring to direct a film. And, of course, judging a dance reality show, So You Think You Can Dance .

Excerpts from a chat:

From a backstage dancer to brand Bosco Martis now, share your journey with us.

Twenty years back, when I danced for the first time on stage, the music went completely wrong. It just faded out. I was appreciated by judges because they thought that it was planned. They thought that I was used to dancing without music which made me feel good. I remember getting Rs.500 for that dance and from there on there was no looking back. I have danced for Farah (Khan).

Bosco and I started our career as choreographers with Shaan and Sagarika music video but as dancers we started with the 36th Filmfare Awards. I was one of the 50 or 60 dancers then. That journey just went on after which I got into choreography. As Bosco-Ceasar , we came into limelight when we did “Rind Posh Maal” for Mission Kashmir followed by songs of Musafir . Then ‘Dus Bahane’ really positioned us well. Respect came our way when we won the National Award for ‘Senorita’ ( Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara ) and Filmfare Award for ‘Aunty Ji’ ( Ek Mai Aur Ekk Tu ). Things just started happening in a right way.

Both of you made the entire film fraternity dance to your tune. What led to parting of ways?

It was about 16 to 18 years journey of doing songs. I just told him that I wanted to grow, direct a film. I did not want Caesar to be pushed into this; wanted to give him space to do his own thing. He wanted to pursue choreography. It was graceful of him to say, ‘Okay, you pursue direction’. As a brand whatever song he does or I do will still be credited to Bosco Caesar. In my film, I will definitely want Caesar to do choreography.

It is said that you take a long time to choreograph a song. What is your process?

I just feel my form has come from my natural instincts. I am not a trained dancer. I have just learnt dancing by looking at myself, looking at whatever best I could see. Twenty years back, there was no Internet; mirror was the only exposure that I had. So I used to look at the mirror to try and correct my form. Hip Hop was the form that I started developing. I have shot songs in six hours, sometimes a day and at times it took 13 days. It all depends upon the requirement of director and the nature of song. The songs which took me just six hours to shoot are “Dus Bahane”, “Teri Ore” and more recently “Udta Punjab”. Songs for I took us a long time because Shankar wanted to capture lot of things.

On the challenges faced during dance shoots

There are so many things like lighting, actors and choreography. If you have an actor who is comfortable with dance, then you are flying. You have to strike a balance of what exactly you want from that actor and his/her ability. Then there is no limit to improving the performance.

Why do you prefer films over stage shows?

I have come from a stage show background; I love stage shows. Films are being offered to me so stage shows have dried up. But at any time, if people come with a stage show I am more than happy to do.

Tell us about your directorial debut

I would like to talk about it once I have a little more clarity.

Share your experience choreographing Katrina Kaif and Siddharth Malhotra forBaar Baar Dekho?

It was fantastic. With Katrina, we started our journey from Partner, where she had not much to do and in Race where she had so many things to do. She shined in the song Touch me- Touch me . From there on she has grown so much as a performer, as an actor. Sidhharth has also grown up with time and they both are just fantastic to perform and work with. At that level I think everything becomes so smooth. It is a great energy that each one has when they come on set. A song kaala chashma which we have done is going to come soon.

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