Mar 302018
 

Gurmeet Choudhary on miscreant threatening to commit suicide over alleged non-payment of loan by the actor; lodges complaint

Gurmeet Choudhary
Gurmeet Choudhary

Actor Gurmeet Choudhary was taken off guard when he learnt that a person using the name Ankit Royal had threatened to kill himself due to the non-payment of a loan by the actor. Using the photo-sharing platform, Instagram, Royal had apparently claimed that he would kill himself in a live session on Facebook.

Choudhary, who filed a complaint at the Goregaon Police station on March 30, tells mid-day, “I am just worried. There is a feeling of uneasiness. The incident was brought to my notice by an event manager. Subsequently, I also started getting messages from fans on social media from across India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and the USA. I realised this was something that needed my attention.”

While the actor, who is currently travelling due to work commitments, was unable to head to the police station, he submitted a hand-written complaint to the officials before his departure. “I hope the police take strict action against him. He has been tagging news channels, producers and directors, alleging that I owe him R11 lakh. I never thought somebody could pose such a threat to me. This stupidity won’t work with me.”

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Mar 302018
 

Are you an avid cinema lover? Think again before you read these lesser-known facts about these Hindi films from the 50s and 60s era

Do Ankhen Barah Haath
Poster of the film Do Ankhen Barah Haath

The 50’s and 60’s era of Hindi Cinema holds a special place in our hearts. The cinema of the 50s is marked with a distinct voice of the country just free from the clutches of a 200-year foreign rule. Spirits were running high and there was a taste of revolution in the air. These were the glorious years of some of the landmark films in history, which went ahead to gain national and international fame.

The two decades are a treasure trove of masterpieces by stalwarts whose names are forever etched in the history of the Hindi film industry. Be it the charismatic Dev Anand who serenaded his heroines with soulful songs, the enchantress Madhubala with the most beautiful smile that had many heroes forget lines for they couldn’t take their eyes off the celestial beauty or the ever romantic Guru Dutt whose cinematography made us watch films with a different lens. This, along with many more reasons why the 50s and 60s era of Hindi Films will inspire us till time immemorial. That’s why we call them Sadabahar.

While Sony MAX2 is commemorating the great talents of that era through Timeless Digital Awards season 3, it is pertinent to acknowledge the contribution of the movie marvels who gave birth to the many ‘firsts’ of Hindi Cinema, not only in India but also on the global platform.

Here is a list of 10 such facts that will make you extremely proud of the industry lineage.

1. Mughal-e-Azam’ was the first trilingual movie 

Mughal-e-azam

This Bollywood epic was literally shot in 3 languages: English, Tamil, and Hindi! However, when the Tamil version failed, the English version was aborted too. Thus, only the Hindi version was released!

2. Sangam– The first movie to be shot abroad

Sangam

Raj Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar and Vyjayanthimala’s triangle love story, Sangam had various scenes shot in Europe. The cinema lovers at that time turned up in large numbers to watch the movie just to see the foreign locales in a motion picture.

3. Mother India – India’s first Oscar submission

Mother India

The epic social drama starring Nargis, Sunil Dutt, and Rajendra Kumar was India’s first submission for the Academy Awards in the foreign film category. The movie was not only nominated but also was in the final five. The Oscar jury strongly connected with the protagonist of the movie because of the storyline.

4. First Indian cinemascope film: Kaagaz Ke Phool

Kagaz ke Phool

 India’s first cinemascope movie, Kaagaz Ke Phool is a masterpiece, much ahead of its time. This movie is considered as Guru Dutt’s finest film. But sadly, the film was a box office disaster and Guru Dutt never directed a movie again. Kaagaz Ke Phool is also said to be an autobiographical account of Dutt, highlighting his relationship with Waheeda and Geeta Dutt.

5. Yaadein (1964) – The first soliloquy of Hindi Cinema

Yaadein

Inspiration has a knack for striking on unexpected moments only to produce something so exceptional; it’s probably ahead of its time. And the most innovative film of Sunil Dutt’s creative career, Yaadein is an excellent example of this belief. Yaadein made it to Guinness Book of World Records under the category of ‘Fewest actors in a narrative film’, but it sadly didn’t work for the audience.

6. Pyaasa – The only Hindi film to make it to TIME’s ‘All-Time 100 Movies’ list and Sight & Sound’s ‘250 Greatest Films’ List

Pyaasa

Starring Guru Dutt, Waheeda Rahman and Mala Sinha, ‘Pyaasa’ trails the life of an unsuccessful poet in an unkind, frigid society. Recently, ‘Pyaasa’ became the first Indian film to be restored by an Indian company for screening at the Venice Film Festival.

7. Hanste Aansoo – First Indian film to receive an A-certificate

Hanste Aansoo

Hanste Aansoo featuring Madhubala and Motilal became the first film to receive ‘only for adults’ certification following the amendment of the original Indian Cinematograph Act (1918) in December 1949

8. Shree 420: Most successful foreign film at the Soviet box office

Shree 420

This cult movie featuring showman Raj Kapoor, Nargis and Nadira became the first foreign film to draw the audience of 35 million viewers at the Soviet box office.

9. Do Ankhen Barah Haath: First Indian film to win the Golden Globe Award

Do Ankhen Barah Haath

Directed by ace director V Shantaram, Do Ankhen Barah Haath was way ahead of its time. It became the first Hindi feature film to bag the prestigious Golden Globe award under the Samuel Goldwyn category

10. Awaara: “Awaara Hoon” was the first Indian song which became an international sensation

Aawara

The composition of “Awaara Hoon” by Shankar Jaikishan immediately struck a chord with audiences from various classes and backgrounds from across the globe. In fact, in May 2013 BBC poll, the song was rated the second-greatest Bollywood song of all time. 

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Mar 302018
 

Tiger Shroff starrer Baaghi 2 is loaded with action but is completely devoid of perspective. Watch it only if you are a die-hard action-film fan

Tiger Shroff, Disha Patani
Tiger Shroff and Disha Patani in a still from Baaghi 2

Baaghi 2
U/A;  Action, Thriller
Director: Ahmed Khan
Cast: Tiger Shroff, Disha Patani, Randeep Hooda, Manoj Bajpayee, Prateik
Rating: two stars

If your idea of having a good time at the movies is Tiger Shroff flexing his muscles and breaking bones, then, my friend, you’re in for a blessed treat at the movies this week. For the rest, I guess, it’s better to enjoy the long weekend bingeing on a web series. Baaghi 2 is loaded with action but is completely devoid of perspective.

The film starts in Goa when Neha’s (Patani) daughter has been abducted and she reaches out to her college love Ronnie (Shroff), now an Army officer posted in Kashmir, for help. True to any action film, Tiger Shroff makes a grand entry by pinning down three terrorists and also tying one of them to the front of his jeep, using him as a human shield. Looks like the makers decided to pay tribute to Army Major Leetul Gogoi, who had done this in real life. Shroff leaves behind his national duty so that he can help her ex-flame. And from thereon, it becomes a cat-and-mouse game. There are enough twists in the plot about kidnapping, double cross and even deceit, but the problem lies in the sloppily written script and poor execution.

The action directors deserve a mention, but the ‘Ramboesque’ stunts in the climax sequence are hard to digest. Our desi Rambo sprays bullets and hits the bull’s eye with each, but no bullet can pierce his iron body.

Watch the official trailer of Baaghi 2 below

[embedded content]

Shroff and Patani have hardly any time to show their on-screen chemistry. Tiger Shroff has already proved that he is a solid action hero. However, it’s time he stepped out of the maar-dhaad zone and shone with the aid of an actual script. Disha Patani has little to do as a damsel in distress. Of the supporting cast, Manoj Bajpayee and Deepak Dobriyal are convincing while Prateik Babbar is clearly off the mark. Randeep Hooda as a hippie chillum smoking cop who is called LSD and loves taking selfies shines with his performance.

At 145 minutes, Baaghi 2 seems so long that by the end, I started counting the minutes…. ek, do, teen just like the unwanted remix starring Jacqueline Fernandez. By the end credit, I also remembered that Baaghi 3 is on its way in a few years. This Tiger is going to be alive and kicking.

View photos: Tiger Shroff, dad Jackie, sister Krishna, Akshay Kumar watch Baaghi 2

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Mar 302018
 

Comedian Sidharth Sagar, who was seen in The Kapil Sharma Show went missing since past four months. He, however, has shared about his well-being through a video

Sidharth Sagar
Sidharth Sagar. Picture Courtesy: Instagram/sidharthsagar.official

Comedian Sidharth Sagar, who is popular for his role as ‘Selfie Mausi’ on the comedy shows aired on the television screens, went missing since last four months. It was his friend Somi Saxena, who got this topic of him gone missing to light via sharing this information on Facebook. Sharing a collage of his pictures, she stated, “You guys remember him Siddharth Sagar aka selfie Mausi urf Naseer this guy is missing since 4 months last seen on 18 November 2017. Nobody knows where he is. He is my very good friend please help me find him spread this as much as u can (sic).”

Sidharth Sagar

The post created a stir on social media and reached the ears of Siddharth. After which, the comedian shared a video informing about his whereabouts and his well-being. He mentioned that he was going through a lot and therefore was maintaining a low profile.

“I had been getting constant calls from the media and my friends. I have gone through a lot of difficulty in the last few months. I had done an NC (non-cognizable police report) against my family and they created further troubles for me,” said Siddharth in the video.

This is the video shared by Sidharth:

“I am right now in safe hands and the people with whom I am staying, really helped me a lot. Give me a couple of more days and I would come out in open to talk about what I went through.” Sidharth also thanked people for the concern and added, “Seeing the concern of so many people, I decided to post this video. I will soon share my ordeal with all of you. Thanks for being there.”

While there were reports that Sidharth shared a conflicting relationship with his mother, a close aide of Sidharth told indianexpress.com that he is very close to his mother and family. “It’s so strange because he was very close to his mother and family. If he is saying that he filed a complaint against them, I am sure it must be a big issue, for they were a close-knit family. I have been trying to reach out to him for a long time but his number was also disconnected. I am relieved to see Sidharth’s video and waiting for him to speak out.”

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Mar 302018
 

Mandira Bedi, who had gone for a trip to Goa, posted few pictures from her vacation. However, the trolls did what they are best at

Mandira Bedi
Mandira Bedi got trolled for posting this picture on her Instagram account

Mandira Bedi, who was in Goa for a vacation, posted several pictures of herself and with her son Vir from the trip. However, the trolls did what they are best at. They started trolling, slut-shaming Mandira for “demeaning” Indian culture by wearing a bikini at the beach and posting the picture online. She posted the picture on her Instagram account and wrote, “#happyvibesonly.” Was this comment a warning for the trolls?

However, some called this bikini photo, a publicity stunt, while there were a few, who asked her to stop posting “indecent” pictures on a public platform.
Earlier, Mandira Bedihad shared that she doesn’t pay heed to these trolls. “What I have experienced over these years is that Indian men are cowards. Usually, I don’t pay attention to such comments because on one hand I have women who call me their inspiration and on the other hand, I have body shaming comments by men,” told the actress.

Mandira, who married producer Raj Kaushal in 1999, revealed that their son, Vir doesn’t want to enter the world of films but wants to become a software engineer. She is also filming for the Tamil film Adangathey. She had made her debut as a fashion designer during Lakme Fashion Week 2014 with her saree collection. The IPL host rose to fame with the television show, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.

View Gallery: 45-year-old Mandira Bedi really knows how to flaunt her toned body

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Mar 302018
 

Keanu Reeves is known for primarily two things – first, he is Hollywood’s coolest actor and second, he is immortal. Interestingly, theories proving his immortality reach farther and faster than his movies.

Well, I don’t believe in vampires or immortals, but if the world believes that Keanu Reeves is an immortal, I am ready to throw logic and science out of the window. I mean, how else can we justify a 53-year-old looking hotter and younger than people half his age? Unless, someone introduces me to his doctor, whose Botox game is on point. 

keanu reeves doing thingsTwitter

After looking at this picture, I am convinced that Keanu Reeves might be a shape shifter or a time-traveller. Where else can you spot Keanu Reeves showing off with his pizza and another Keanu Reeves giving creepy looks in the background? I would have tagged Reeves in this picture, but I couldn’t find his official page.    

Keanu Reeves doing thingsImgur

But, having said all that, unlike his Hollywood peers, Reeves seems to be unaffected by all the fame that comes his way. He might walk past you or sit and have beer with you and come off as a regular bloke, even before you realize that you are chatting with none other than John Wick. Like this…

keanu reeves doing thingsTwitter

Or this…

keanu reeves doing things Twitter

And probably that’s what we love about him. That he does not have any air around him or that he is so chilled out about all the memes and funny theories made on him. We don’t think there’s any other actor who has as many memes as Reeves has. 

keanu reeves doing thingsTwitter

But, after ‘Keanu is sad’, ‘Keanu is immortal’ to ‘Keanu Reeves is French Actor Paul Mounet’s alter ego’; just when we thought we’ve seen enough, some genius came around to prove us wrong. 

Thanks to Reeves and this Twitter account, we now another hilariously brilliant set of memes. I am sure you must have come across this page ‘Keanu Doing Things’ by now and if you haven’t, you have been missing out on the world’s best thing. 

keanu reeves drinking a corona & having an existential crisis pic.twitter.com/6deLioRw9i

— keanu doing things (@keanuthings) March 4, 2018

As the name suggests, this page has nothing but pictures of Keanu doing things, yet I don’t know why I got so addicted to this page. 

keanu reeves getting excited over a $5 bill pic.twitter.com/eA5n1Bh8cl

— keanu doing things (@keanuthings) March 7, 2018

keanu reeves lounging on a chair in the middle of the street pic.twitter.com/Dpfr0jnoWU

— keanu doing things (@keanuthings) March 23, 2018

keanu reeves drinking some wine and having a nap pic.twitter.com/2LUE6BypwY

— keanu doing things (@keanuthings) March 18, 2018

Once you have seen it, you cannot unsee these hilarious and oddly satisfying pictures of Keanu Reeves doing things. 

keanu reeves encouraging healthy eating pic.twitter.com/TUzSpsMRgu

— keanu doing things (@keanuthings) March 29, 2018

keanu reeves refusing to buy new shoes pic.twitter.com/EmD5M20hId

— keanu doing things (@keanuthings) March 17, 2018

keanu reeves eating lunch & falling into a food coma pic.twitter.com/faXMD5cLqb

— keanu doing things (@keanuthings) March 26, 2018

keanu reeves in a bathtub in the middle of nowhere pic.twitter.com/kVCJpYuYLf

— keanu doing things (@keanuthings) March 25, 2018

keanu reeves showing a plush toy around china pic.twitter.com/pmyTeQytDh

— keanu doing things (@keanuthings) March 13, 2018

And we never realised this…

keanu reeves wearing the same outfit for almost 30 years pic.twitter.com/fBDLg90AOK

— keanu doing things (@keanuthings) March 11, 2018

keanu reeves flipping off paparazzi pic.twitter.com/gfTvXn5hl1

— keanu doing things (@keanuthings) March 10, 2018

keanu reeves sharing his debut picture book pic.twitter.com/enG7FaYLOZ

— keanu doing things (@keanuthings) March 8, 2018

keanu reeves contemplating life while eating a slice of pizza pic.twitter.com/iT7HcGjmqS

— keanu doing things (@keanuthings) March 5, 2018

keanu reeves exchanging wisdom with a homeless man pic.twitter.com/oSnu7DKFqF

— keanu doing things (@keanuthings) March 4, 2018

Keanu Reeves even celebrated when the page got 50k followers (not really).

keanu reeves celebrating keanuthings hitting 50k followers (thank you so much!) pic.twitter.com/JxgRd0oeuW

— keanu doing things (@keanuthings) March 14, 2018

If there was to be an award show where I was called as the jury, I will forget everyone else and just give Keanu and his fans an award for being the ‘Coolest People In The World’. 

Mar 302018
 

Alia-Ranbir-KatrinaThat Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt were the best of friends was a known fact. The two couldn’t get enough of each other often hanging out together, working out with each other and even attending B-town parties together. The two even wanted to do a film together some day with Katrina, wishing to do a Bollywood remake of Thelma & Louise (1991) with the dimpled actress. However, if an exclusive report by Pinkvilla is to be believed, cracks have developed in Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif’s friendship. And the bone of contention is none other than Ranbir Kapoor.

Well, it all reportedly started after Alia posted a picture with her Brahmastra co-star Ranbir Kapoor on Instagram. Well, the two are working together on Ayan Mukerji’s Brahmastra. They were in Bulgaria for almost a month, shooting some deadly action sequences for their sci-fi film. A few days ago, Alia got badly injured on the sets of the film, following which she came back to the city, while Ranbir reportedly stayed back in London after wrapping up the first schedule of the movie. We all know that at one point in time, Katrina and Ranbir were very close, so much so, that there were rumours of them tying the knot soon. Perhaps, that’s why their breakup was never easy for Kat who continues to be sore about her relationship with Kapoor. With reports of Ranbir’s closeness with Alia during the filming of Brahmastra doing the rounds, it’s is thus only understandable that Katrina’s bond with Alia has taken a beating.

Pinkvilla quoted a source in the know as saying, “The entire cast and crew have been talking about RK and Alia’s closeness while filming Bramhastra. Katrina got to know about it from some common friends who were working on the film. She is upset and would have appreciated had Alia told her about her closeness with Kapoor.” Furthermore, there’s another source who informed the leading entertainment portal that Katrina appeared to be low at Akash Ambani and Shloka Mehta’s engagement in Mumbai as well, where as Alia who had just returned to Mumbai that day decided to give the bash a skip as she is trying to give her shoulder injury some rest before resuming her shoot for Gully Boy next week.

Mar 302018
 

VidyaKnown to throw a curveball with her choice of roles, Vidya Balan is set to explore uncharted territory once again with her next. According to sources, the actor has been approached to play a gangster in a yet-untitled project to be helmed by Jyoti Kapur Das. The director had previously handled the reins of the award-winning short film, Chutney (2016).

A source in the know told mid-day, “Set in the murky world of crime, the drama sees the leading lady as a grey character. The role is that of a strong-minded woman who is almost a crime overlord. After Jyoti finished penning the script, Vidya was the first name that came to her mind. Given the kind of author-backed roles that she has done, the actress would be a perfect fit for the character.”

We hear, Vidya Balan has already been given a narration and has expressed her interest. However, she is yet to work out her dates. The source added, “The actress also has the Indira Gandhi biopic in the pipeline. It all depends on when she starts the biopic. She is also in talks for another project. But if all goes as planned, the crime drama will go on floors later this year.”

Das, on her part, remained tight-lipped. When contacted, she said, “It would be an absolute dream to work with her, nothing like that is happening just yet.” Balan remained unavailable till the time of going to press.

Mar 302018
 

Are you into scaring yourself out of your senses? Do you dare to be terrified even within the comfort of your own home? Well, we understand what hankering for horror can look like and we totally have your back. Let’s start with ‘Veronica’ (supposedly ‘based on true events’), this Spanish movie is the talk of the town. It’s a story about a teenage girl who uses an Ouija board and ends up haunted by an evil demonic presence. There is a rumor going around that Veronica is one the ‘scariest movies’, with some viewers even unable to finish it. With Veronica taking the Internet by storm, it is time you checked out some of the most spine-chilling, mind-boggling and just plain scary movies that might give you sleepless nights. Check them out if you dare to.

Veronica

A game of séance at school by a young teenager (fuelled by a desire to connect with her father again) leads to unexpected results. It is not until quite later that she realizes she may have unknowingly invited an evil force home. Have you ever tried playing Ouija board game? This latest movie on Netflix is literally giving people the biggest nightmare of their lives. Dare to watch it?

Howl

Life’s one big journey with twists and turns galore. Quite unpredictable at the best. The same could be said for the passenger on this late night train, who may be on their last ride, ever! The story is simple but gruesome. To survive these passengers needs to band together until the sun rises. But will they make it? 

Gerald’s Game

Based on a novel by Stephen King, this Netflix original will stay with you for a long time. It is a starry night and a couple is out in the woods all alone. Their aim is to rekindle dying romance and save their marriage. But things go haywire. A couple of tablets, handcuffs, and an argument later, followed by a heart attack that leaves one dead and the other handcuffed to the bed without any medium to get out of the bed. Love being kinky? Well, wait till you watch this!

The Shining

Jack Torrance is holed up in the Overlook Hotel as the off-season caretaker. The previous history of the hotel, supernatural forces and a thrilling narrative to match makes this one of the scariest movies you will ever watch. Maybe you will think ten times next time you decide to book a hotel!

The Cabin in The Woods

Picturesque beauty, greenery, and peace and quiet – that is what a bunch of friends expected when they reached a remote cabin. And they have no clue about the horrors that await them. Think before you plan your trip next time.

The Void

You might have seen horror flicks about cults but “The Void” is the definition of terrifying. The story revolves around a group of paramedics who take a patient to a hospital, only to find out that they’re trapped inside as strange events take place. 

Carnage Park

“Carnage Park” starts as a thriller but soon it turns into a horror movie when they end up on the territory of a deranged ex-military sniper. Watch it and get the feel!

México Bárbaro

“México Bárbaro” brings you an anthology of eight different short films. Each one of it is based on terrifying traditional Mexican folklore that has terrifying endings. Watch this and pick the one you liked the most.

 

 

Mar 302018
 

Last year’s “Kala Chashma” from the Sidharth Malhotra and Katrina Kaif starrer ‘Baar Baar Dekho’ became an instant rage for a variety of reasons. It was a hummable and foot-tapping party number, Katrina’s abs looked the best they ever have, and then there were the dance steps. Flanked by a bevy of female white backup dancers, Katrina gyrated to the trademark steps that became a sort of a permanent presence in almost every wedding thereafter. It was impossible to not want to move to the song the moment the music came on. But, amid the fun and the galore, we missed noticing the one crucial element responsible for making ‘Kala Chashma’ what it was: its backup dancers.

The Invisible Lives of Bollywood's Male Backup Dancers© Eros International

In the big bad world of Bollywood, the tribe of backup dancers, who form the backbone of any music number, lead not just an invisible life, but also an exploited one. Unlike the star-kid backup dancers like Shahid Kapoor, these dancers lead an unglamorous and overworked life. It’s more so when you’re a white backup dancer trying to make it big in the alien world of Bollywood without any idea of Mumbai’s culture, the language, or its people.

The Invisible Lives of Bollywood's Male Backup Dancers© UTV Motion Pictures

Twenty-five-year-old Jack* is one such male backup dancer braving odds, long working hours, and dismal exposure to make a living in Mumbai. But, life isn’t as sweet as he had imagined it’d be. “Even after struggling in Bollywood for seven years, I still end up living on a month paycheck basis sometimes,” he tells me. Originally from England, Jack came on a backpacking trip to India almost 10 years ago, on a tourist visa. The plan was to backpack across the country for close to two months, with a last pit stop at Mumbai, the City Of Dreams. “I did odd modelling jobs during college and saved up money to gift myself a graduation trip to India,” he reveals.

It was in the last week of his trip that he stumbled upon the Hindi film industry and its myriad workings travelling to Goregaon’s Film City as part of a Bollywood package tour. “The tour included the usual spots: Mannat, Jalsa and the likes. The last stretch included a tour of Film City and the chance to witness a film shoot at Yash Raj Studios.” As luck would have it, that shoot ended up being Farah Khan’s ‘Om Shanti Om’, and the song they were shooting that day was the iconic ‘Dard-E-Disco’ that saw SRK, the country’s biggest superstar sporting eight-pack abs.

The Invisible Lives of Bollywood's Male Backup Dancers© Eros International

For Jack, that was his first tryst with both Bollywood and a dance number. “I had very little background on SRK at that point apart from the fact that he was referred as the King of Bollywood. What amused me more was the 20-odd male backup dancers flanking him. They were all white.” After an hour of shoot, the director called for a break and that’s when Jack bumped into a school senior doubling up as a backup dancer on set. “I met Robyn* after almost 10 years and had no idea she was a backup dancer. Back then, we all thought she’d end up as an actor or some such,” he tells me. It was a chat with Robyn that set the ball rolling for Jack’s long-drawn but hardly rewarding career in Bollywood. “That day, Robyn made it sound like such a dream. She told me how the industry was depending on only white backup dancers and money was therefore easy. I made up my mind the moment she told me how much she would make for these day shoots: Rs 50,000 for a few hours.”

The Invisible Lives of Bollywood's Male Backup Dancers© BCCL

That 20-minute conversation changed Jack’s life. He completed the rest of his trip and in a few months flew back to Mumbai, this time permanently. “Looking back at it, I realise how little I thought about that decision. I was young, a decent dancer and had no idea what I wanted from life, so I figured why not?” After he landed, Jack made the rounds of all the usual offices of various agents and put up with Robyn and her boyfriend Rob, a “veteran back up dancer” seen in Kal Ho Na Ho’s “Pretty Woman”, in a plush Versova apartment.

The first few years were exactly as Jack expected it would be. He was getting ample work, featured in a slew of hit numbers; ‘Chittiyan Kalaiyan’, ‘Bang Bang’ to name a few, and there was no dearth of money. “At that time, I was earning in lakhs every month and so overconfident of that being the case for a long long time,” he laughingly remembers.

But it was only the calm before the storm.

The Invisible Lives of Bollywood's Male Backup Dancers© BCCL

In the last three years, while Bollywood’s fascination with white backup dancers has still maintained a crazy frenzy, what however changed is their preference. Most Bollywood films were choreographing more and more songs with only female backup dancers in mind. “They were of the opinion that relying more on female backup dancers would ensure that their song and film is much more profitable. The girls would add the ample sex appeal needed. And, that’s how we started losing work.”

It started slow, with fewer offers and less screen time. “Take Kala Chashma for instance. There were around 30 female dancers and about half the number of male dancers. Not only did they dominate more screen time, but they were also paid more for the same work,” he tells me. But, now the situation is even more dire. Even as work and pay dwindled, the hours expected from them continued increasing.

Dance isn’t dance any longer; they needed to know a handful of stunts that would invariably lead to unforeseen accidents. But no coverage. Once, during a shoot abroad, Jack and another dancer sustained serious injuries while attempting a stunt and were forced to two months bed-rest. He claims he was more bummed about the fact that he wouldn’t earn money for two months more than the fact that he was injured. “Forget the fact that I’m losing out on work, but now even payments are being processed a month late. It’s a grim situation,” he rues.

The Invisible Lives of Bollywood's Male Backup Dancers© BCCL

On the work front, Jack has two more projects at the moment that require as much as 14-hours a day, and fetch him as much money as a fresher, even though he admits he doesn’t even love dancing anymore. The lack of work in films has forced him to take up more maddening ad film work. “The situation there is even more worse,” he laughs.

As he gets ready to leave for an ad shoot, I prod him on whether he’s contemplated leaving it all and moving back home.

“I don’t even have enough for this month’s rent, forget having enough for a flight ticket,” he replies before waving a goodbye.

*Names changed on request.