Choreographer Kruti Mahesh who started her journey as a contestant in Dance India Dance has come such a long way. From there to winning a national award for Ghoomar from Padmaavat and choreographing songs like Garmi and the recent Dholida – Kruti is just elated!
Dholida from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi has become a rage and everyone on the internet is seen doing the hook step. Alia Bhatt’s body language and expressions are that of a Kathiawadi aunty in that I feel – the actress has completely aced it. Tell Kruti that and she laughs, “Kathiawadi aunties were a huge reference point for it.”
I recently interviewed Kruti at length to speak about this new song and her journey so far, and here are some excerpts from it. The choreographer speaks about working with Bhansali, the actresses she’s choreographed, mentor Remo D’souza and lots more.
On choreographing Dholida…
“The hook-step was something I cracked on the first day itself. Having a kathiawadi influence to someone who has come to Mumbai and given their full out, it needed to have some madness to it and not just garba. There’s a sense of Gangu’s trans and madness into this which has to get translated. I know her journey so it was difficult but I being a Mumbaikar, I have danced garba since my childhood so I enjoy it. I have started my company called Kali so every time a dance happens or anything related to Amba or Kali, I know there’s a presence and everything will come out well. So, the madness of the last shot is extremely divine and when we got the last shot, we were so overjoyed. I’m so glad that it’s translated and everyone sees that.”
On working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and mentor Remo D’souza…
“Sanjay sir and I have been working together for a few years now and I keep waiting for what he comes up with because as a choreographer it’s challenging for me also because I can push myself to the limits I don’t even realize. I would love to be on a Sanjay Leela Bhansali set till the day I die. But it’s Remo sir who believed in me and has been my mentor. My first experience on a film-set was on Balam Pichkari as an assistant choreographer. I’m so grateful he believed in me, and I’ll always want to work with him.”
On actresses like Deepika Padukone, Nora Fatehi and Alia Bhatt who she has worked with…
“Deepika Padukone is one actress who is very professional focused and so pleasant to work with. Even if it’s something she is not comfortable with, she will push herself and she’ll do it. She’s fantastic on-screen. There’s Nora who is one woman who I personally think has so much fire in her that she wants to push herself. She is not trained but she has pushed herself to get something new and look different each time. Alia has been by far the most mature and switched-on actor I’ve worked with in recent times. She is Alia off-screen and the moment the camera is on, she is something else. That woman is blessed. She has a long way to go and she’s fantastic. She uses her eyes, she knows how to use her body, she’s observant, very alert. At the same time, she doesn’t let herself feel de-motivated if she doesn’t get something. By far, Alia has been my favourite.”
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching Kruti’s songs on-screen and certainly, the girl has a long way to go! I can’t wait to actually watch Gangubai Kathiawadi and Dholida on the big-screen! You can check out my full interview with Kruti below.