New Delhi, March 12 : After choreographing for Bollywood films like "Cocktail", "Guzaarish" and "Dhoom", ace choreographer Ashley Lobo is going to take a "step up" and "naturally" direct a dance film.
The Artistic Director of Navdhara India Dance Theatre has been involved in theatre and dance for over 30 years, and now he is gearing up to direct a movie.
"I am in the process of writing a script. Right now I am very busy with my company. We are touring in different countries this year. There are two new stage productions as well. So, maybe next year (will make a movie)," Ashley told IANS over phone from Mumbai.
Should the audience expect a dance film from him?
"Naturally. I am a choreographer. It will probably be a drama dance film. It will be a dance film with a strong story. I've thought of many actors, but I'll have to see who would be available. The script will tell me whom to cast," said the son of popular opera singer and theatre personality Celia Lobo.
Ashley, the founder of the Danceworx Performing Arts Academy, also wants to share his experience with the world and what better way to do that than writing a book?
"I'll possibly end up writing books. I've been choreographing for so many years, teaching so many people and also learning from dance students, parents, actors and people from other professions. It would be a shame not to share that experience," said the dance expert, whose dance theatre's production "Agni" is set for a show here on March 29-30.
"Agni" will have its international premiere in Israel.
For Ashley, the year started on a high note as he was invited by the Germany-based dance company Ballet Chemnitz to choreograph a full length story telling ballet.
"It was very exciting and cool to be there. The company is very big and has its own orchestra, costumes department, audio-visual department and the likes. In India, we hire all these things. It was intimidating as it's a big full on establishment, but exciting also because you don't get to work with that kind of infrastructure in India," he said.
"It was good for them (dancers) and new for them. Their kind of movement was new for me. I will go in June again," he added.
Why is there infrastructure problem in India for different dance forms?
"Government does support theatre. The support is more for dance forms rooted in Indian classical and folk areas. Overseas... grants are given to artistes in folk and classical and also to what I call global or world dance like contemporary dance," said the choreographer trained in classical ballet, jazz and contemporary styles of dance.
While he is tied up with the overseas project and stage productions, filmmaker Imtiaz Ali's next movie, starring Shah Rukh Khan, is equally important to him.
"I've been working with Imtiaz since 'Socha Na Tha'. It was his and my first film, but it released over such a long period of time. I think the struggle of making that film brought the whole team together. Imtiaz and I became very close friends, and over the years, we have worked together in lots of films. He trusts me and I trust him as a filmmaker," said Ashley, who had teamed up with Imtiaz in films like "Jab We Met" and "Love Aaj Kal".
Any creative differences between the two?
"There's always going to be creative differences. If there are no creative differences, there is no dialogue and no progression," he said.
(Natalia Ningthoujam can be contacted at natalia.n@ians.in)
