Legendary dancer and successful director and actor Prabhu Deva shares details about his upcoming film Tutak Tutak Tutiya, dancing with his father and reminisces his dance gurus.
Tell us about Tutak Tutak Tutiya?
My character wants to marry a modern girl, but he gets hitched to a villager. How we fall into this situation and what happens between Sonu Sood, Tamannah Bhatia and I is what the film is all about. I have worked with Tammanaah for the first time; she is fantatstic. Sonu Sood has proved himself in many films already.
Was it stressful to shoot the film back-to-back in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu?
Of course, it was stressful but I enjoyed it. It was a challenge to work in this format. It could have been tiring but the scenes were so good that we didn’t feel the pressure.
Is it true that you suffered a back injury during the shoot?
(Laughs) Yes, I was in pain for 3-4 hours but we had to dance after that. It happened due to the dance practice — I must have done something wrong while doing the routine warm-up. It was tough as I wasn’t able to move, get up or sleep... and we had to shoot the title track of the film! During that I couldn’t bear even a little jerk but if you see the song you won’t be able to see that I had back pain ... that’s what an experienced person does.
You danced with your father on the TV show Dance Plus recently. How was the experience?
It is an unforgettable moment. My father stays in Mysuru and that day I was supposed to meet him after four months. He came along with my mother; I have never seen my mother on stage. Dancing with my father in front of my mother was very exciting. They were really happy.
Do you miss them?
Nowadays, I miss them more, I don’t know why. I think everybody must stay with their parents. I feel the biggest achiever is one who stays with his/her parents.
Who has been your inspiration?
My inspiration has been my dance gurus. One of my gurus — Udupi Laksminarayan Master passed away recently but he was dancing till he was 88! The other guru, Dharmaraj Master, is 93 now. Both are my inspirations and they are like gods to me. Whatever I do is because of them. I am a Bharatanatyam dancer — we learn discipline, punctuality and respect from the teacher.
Will you judge a talent show?
I don’t talk much. And I don’t know to judge. I know it’s good to pinpoint what is wrong but I can’t do it. I always like to appreciate.
Are you planning to work with Abhishek Bachchan.
I think the production house will reveal the details. It is better if I do not say anything. I must be loyal to them (laughs).
What do you enjoy the most — directing, producing or dancing?
Dancing.