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| Edited By: Chaya Unnikrishnan |Source: DNA |Updated: Mar 17, 2018, 07:05 AM IST
Barring a few dance numbers like Aao Raja (Gabbar Is Back) and I Love Just You (Joker), Chitrangda Singh has barely showed off her moves on screen. She is better known for her acting chops with films like Hazaaron
Khwaishein Aisiand Yeh Saali Zindagi. In what she calls her fresh innings, the actress is now making her TV debut as the judge on Dance India Dance L’il Masters. She also has two films, Baazaar and Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3 in her kitty, and has turned producer with the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Soorma. She is in talks to start two more productions, one of which will star her. Here, Chitrangda talks about her love for dancing, judging a kids’ show and more...
Before DID, I got offers to judge comedy shows, which didn’t make much of a connect with me. Firstly, DID is the oldest and widely-watched property. Secondly, it’s a dance show that everybody enjoys. I love dancing myself. It’s a different thing ki dancing itni karneke ko nahin mili jitna I would have wanted to. Sometimes, you choose films that do not have so much dancing and singing. Thirdly, I had never done television. And every artiste wants the mass connect that the small screen has, which you cannot manage with a film. For me, it is probably the best way to make that connection (with the masses) again, as I haven’t had any work coming out in a while.
(Laughs) Yes. I said that to the channel when they approached me for the show. But they told me that they wanted me to give my point of view as an actor. Actually, we’re not really the best dancers but we have to often make that emotional connect with our (dance) performances. I’ve to evaluate if as an actor the performance is complete. The technicalities will be taken care of by Marzi (choreographer, co-judge on the show). I have learnt a bit of Kathak and in Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3, I have done a semi-classical dance choreographed by Saroj Khan. So, when they said they need somebody on board who can tell if the contestant connects as a performer or not, it made sense to me and I agreed.
I have a slightly different view. There is a very thin line when you talk about exploitation or competition. In foreign countries, especially the West, they put their kids into competition very early — they have soccer leagues for them.
I think it’s good to be in competition, to have that kind of focus, the attitude to take a no or a yes and work harder. It's a healthy thing. In fact, now everything has become competitive and you are preparing your kid for life. And dance is consumed on such a large level, that somebody is benefiting. This show has given a lot of people success. For instance, the Ghoomar song (Padmaavat) was choreographed by Kruti, who is a DID winner, Raghav, Dharmesh, who emerged from this dance show are respectable names today. If I were a child, I’d have participated in such a show as it would give me a reality check on how much I know, how hard I have to work or if I should pursue it.
(Cuts in) Yes, I heard about it, too.
Honestly, it’s Hazaaron... that has given me identity. I owe it all to the film. I haven't had a talk with Sudhir yet; let’s see.
There was no thought or strategy to produce Soorma. I think good stories sell. The film primarily happened because I heard this story (about hockey player Sandeep Singh), which is probably one of the rare comeback stories in sports. It is difficult to find real heroes who are with you and still playing the sport. It’s not like it happened a long time ago or in 1950! I thought we should make a film about it. It started from that, and not because I wanted to turn producer. I wrote it down, pitched it and got everything put together. I don’t star in it. Taapsee Pannu is doing it. There are two more projects in the pipeline for which talks are on. I will be starring in one of them.
I guess so. I am making my TV debut and have interesting roles in two movies — Baazaar and Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3. I am open to doing good cinema. I want to work with good directors — that’s absolutely number one on my list. Whatever comes my way, I want to give it a shot and see how it goes. There is a lot of change in the cinema that is being made and what the audiences want. They are ready for good content instead of just titillation, which is a good thing.
Honestly, with the kind of choices and the amount of time I have taken off (four-and-a-half years and again two years), I’m thankful people have given me so much love and acknowledged my work.
