Exploration of the harsh reality of dance training and the dynamics of actors-choreographers in the classic Bollywood era | Hindi Movie News

Bollywood Dance has always been the ultimate atmosphere, sparkling outfits, killer rhythms and emblematic movements that live without rent in our heads. Whether it is Helen's sensual swing in “ piya you ab to aaja '', Sridevi governing the screen in “ hawa hawai '', or the expressions of Madhuri dixit “ ek do teen '', these moments did not simply make the story, they broke the internet before the internet exists.
But behind the sparkling smiles, the brilliance and the SASS were pure sweat, stress and sometimes … complete collapses. The golden era of Bollywood may have given us some of the most emblematic dance numbers, but the reality for many actors was far from glamorous. From exhausting rehearsals to strict choreographers, the perfect performance path of the image has been paved with sweat, wrestling and sore feet.
Let's take a step back in time and explore what really happened behind the scenes, through the words of some of the lightest artists in Bollywood.
Helen's exhausting rehearsals
If there is a name synonymous with cabaret in Hindi cinema, it's Helen. His graceful movements in songs like “Piya Tu Ab à Aaja” and “Yeh Mera Dil” lit the screen. But what made it possible to perfect these steps?
In a conversation with Arbaaz Khan on Bollywood Bubble, the emblematic dancer revealed the effort behind her performance. “Then, the choreographer, we had pl Raj, we had Robert Master, we had all the Nice Masters, we called them Masterji. Now they are known as choreographers. We had rehearsals, appropriate, 8 days sometimes, sometimes 10 days. Sometimes. Would repeat 4 to 5 times.
His dedication was unshakable, even when things became difficult. She added: “Pl Raj. Even if I think the shot was good, he will say once again. And I used to hurt him so much. But I did it well.” You see, I do it. “
Just think, these fluid movements in “Aa Jaane Jaan” did not occur overnight. They were the result of rehearsal by exhaustion, late nights and the plugs constantly.
Still the big stars could not follow: Aruna Irani and Astabh Bachchan
It is difficult to imagine that someone like Amitabh Bachchan is uncomfortable on the dance floor. But at the time, even he needed serious coaching. The veteran actress Aruna Irani remembers working on a romantic duo with Big B and how none of the confident dancers was confident.
Addressing Etimes, she said: “At the time, neither me nor my hero Amit Ji were good dancers. But our choreographer Pl Raj was a difficult task master and he made us slog and repeat with diligence. All this effort led the final result, which was so striking.”
Films like 'Bombay to Goa' and 'Love Story' presented catchy songs with many steps, but it was sweat and out -screen version that made the shine on the screen possible.

Humiliation on the tray: the emotional breakdown of Shabana Azmi
Known for its power acting in films like “Arth” and “Mandi”, Shabana Azmi is not someone you imagine being decomposed on a set. But even she was not spared the harsh realities of the Bollywood choreography.
In an interview with Adi Pocha [via Bollywood Shaadis]Shabana spoke of his painful experience while turning “Parvarish” with the choreographer Kamal. “I can't dance to save my life. I have two left feet. I had asked Kamal Master, he was choreographer. I said, “Please give me rehearsals. He said rehearsal is not necessary.
She continued: “Before I can understand where I have to put my right foot and my left foot, Neetu would have made two rehearsals and sat there.”
The final straw came when Kamal humiliated her in front of junior artists. “I told Kamal Ji that it was very complicated and that we can change it a little. He said: “Okay, the Enlightenment extinguished. Now Shabana Ji will now teach the Kamal Dance Master which steps to do. ” It was so humiliating and bad that I just run away. ”
Sonali Bendre:: Saroj Khan was ready to kill me.
When Sonali Bendre played in “English Babu Desi Mem”, she played a bar dancer, but in reality, she had no official dance training. This led to fiery moments with none other than Saroj Khan.
“I had made” Babu Desi Mem “English where Saroj Khan was ready to kill me because I could not dance, and I played a bar dancer. Can you imagine what she was going through? Noon. She recalled stress strongly: “It's ironic. I am not a formed dancer. I am not a trained actor. I have never made a theater. So the songs, the shooting for a song was a nightmare for me. I went through white nights.
Despite his fears, his dance numbers in films like “Duplicate” and “Sarfarosh” remain memorable – proving how much efforts have been effortless.
DDLJ dance horror of Mandira Bedi
Mandira Bedi made her debut in Bollywood with none other than the classic cult “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge”. But shooting the song “Mehendi Laga Ke Rakhna” with Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol turned into a nightmare for her.
In the program of Kareena Kapoor, “What Women Want”, she shared, “because unlike you, how much you are graceful and beautiful when it comes to songs … I started with a song” Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna “and I will tell you that if I have nightmares. As an adult woman, he makes me cold transaction.”
The legendary Saroj Khan was again at the helm. “She said to me,” You are like Sunny Deol. He shakes his shoulders. You shake your shoulders very well, but as a woman and as an actress, you have to learn to shake your hips “, which I could not do,” recalls Mandira.
Even if she was part of one of the most popular songs in the history of Bollywood, her behind the scenes was filled with fear and anxiety.

Saroj Khan's love and hard survival in a male world
The choreographer Saroj Khan, the name behind legendary songs like “Ek Do Teen”, “Choli Ke Peeche” and “Dola Re Dola”, was not only known for his creativity but also his strict style. But why was it so difficult?
Terence Lewis had once offered an overview. Speaking with Bharti Singh and Harsh Limbachiya on their podcast, he said: “The people who asked:” Why she abuses or behaves so roughly “, they need to know that it is extremely difficult for women to work in this industry where it is dominated by men. They must be difficult and strong. The agitation of the industry.
He added: “I do not know if you have noticed it, the male choreographers are relatively quieter than the female choreographers. They are more abusive than men … And I will tell you why, it is because they must prove it repeatedly that he, will not take me lightly, I will hit you otherwise “. It was this grain that helped her survive and prosper, choreography with actresses like Madhuri Dixit and Sridevi.
Madhuri Dixit and Saroj Khan's Artistic Pacte
Unlike many of those who feared Saroj Khan, Madhuri Dixit found a deep creative partnership with her. Together, they made unforgettable numbers like “Dhak Dhak Karne Laga”, “Chane Ke Khet Mein” and “Maar Daala”.
In a conversation with Etimes, Madhuri said: “Every song I made with Saroj Ji, we used to sit together and speak. I would say: “ you know, Saroj ji … '' because I loved her deeply, and I knew that I would work a lot with her. So, one day, we sat down and I said: “ Each song should be unique. ''
“We have made a pact that we will never repeat the steps of one song in another. Yes, and each hook would be different.”
She added laughing: “Then one day, she was tired of me because I continued to emphasize:” We have already used this movement. She asked, “Why do you have the memory of an elephant?” And I said, “Well, it's our pact – now you have to stick to it.” Thanks to this pact, each collaboration Madhuri -Saroj stood out – from the sizzling “EK Do Teen” to the powerful “Kahe Ched Mohe”.