A take on Bollywood dance a hit in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: A new Bollywood inspired dance form is fast catching the fancy of Pakistanis.
     
'Body Beat', which is a take on Bollywood, has taken the residents of the port city of Karachi by storm. Classes started recently at "Shapes"  the address where the high-heeled work out -- are booked to capacity and dance enthusiasts are eagerly waiting for the next season.
      
So why this fascination for Bollywood?
      
Hasan Rizvi, who learnt hip hop in Toronto where he was a student and created "Body Beat", told PTI: "Don't we all have a little Bollywood in us? There is a tremendous influence of Bollywood stars on all of us, and I don't see any harm in it."
      
With Bollywood choreographer Farah Khan being his favourite, Rizvi's class works out with her numbers choreographed by her. "She's a one woman entertainment package," said Rizvi.
      
Rizvi began the dance classes after tremendous pressure from friends and family. "Initially, I wasn't sure if our people were ready for attending formal classes in Bollywood dancing, and how enthusiastic the response would be, but I have been overwhelmed by the general interest and feedback.
     
"Unfortunately I can't accommodate all the people who apply. I feel that our people have become quite welcoming to new concepts."
     
Rizvi, a journalist with DawnNews TV, shuns all suggestions of Pakistanis being uncomfortable with a male dancer.

"You will be amazed to know that Pakistan is not as conservative as it is made out to be. And the social stratum that is attending my classes is pretty much into balls and discos," Rizvi said.
    
"Having said that, I do try not to incorporate any steps, even in my warm ups, that could make girls uncomfortable," he said.
     
But he has rules for boys. "I only allow boys to enroll if they have a female partner. It's the only way by which I can maintain a good, comfortable environment in my classes."
     
Rizvi, who also choreographs fashion shows and commercial events, begins his classes with five minutes of basic warm up exercises, 15 minutes of Bollywood or a bit of hip hop or both.
    
The remaining 30 minutes are for perfecting the steps and just having fun.
     
Though he never learnt formal Bollywood dancing, he has at least 13 years of dancing experience.
     
Rizvi also learnt bhangra  "12 hours a day, for eight months" to participate in a dance contest in Canada where he was a student.
       
"We have danced on many numbers such as from the film 'Race', 'Chak Glassi', 'Sadi Gali', 'Dard-e-Disco' and many, many more," he said.
      
With his classes being in great demand in Karachi, will he branch out to other cities too? "Although I would love to teach all the people who want to learn, time is of the essence. I can't start any more classes because I am preoccupied with other projects," he said.