‘Choreographers cannot be imitators’

Veteran Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan was livid with choreographer Daron Das, when he questioned Malaika Arora Khan’s judgement last week in ‘Nach Baliye’ (Star One). Das had trained participants Mihir Mishra and Manini De who got eliminated.

“He had no right to question the discretion of the judges”, Khan states vehemently. “The show judges the innovativeness of the choreographers who have to reinterpret a popular number. If we wanted the participants to mimic the original version, we would have given them a CD and asked them to practice the same movements. We would not be announcing the prize money of Rs 20 lakh for them if they were to be mere imitators”.

Khan adds that weight has nothing to do with dance. “You can be as fat as King Kong or as thin as a stick. You could be a 95-year old or a 16-year old. There must simply be grace in your body.” She continues, “When I see Delnaaz Paul dancing it never occurs to me that she is fat. I feel like dancing with her. The real life chemistry of the couples is reflected in their performances too.”

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