The team of ABCD (Anybody Can Dance)—director Remo D’Souza, dance icon and actor Prabhu Deva, US- based dancer and actor Lauren Gottlieb— says their film is India’s answer to Hollywood’s highly acclaimed dance film Step Up. “Yes, it is,” said D’Souza on the comparison.  “In fact, we have stepped it up!,” added choreographer Salman Yusuff Khan, who also features in the film. The team visited the HT City office on Wednesday afternoon. Remo also shared  how he got Prabhu Deva in the film.

“I called him one day in Mumbai and asked him to meet me. After we met, I explained the idea to him and he said  yes. However, I was tense inside about directing him, but I did not let that show on my face,” he said. The team shared that Prabhu Deva, also known as the God of dance in India, was an inspiration for them while shooting and they learnt a lot from him. “I got into dance after seeing Prabhu Sir performing in Muqabla. So, during the shoot, just to watch him move his legs was a memorable experience,” said Khan. Gottlieb, also a Prabhu Deva fan added, “It was brilliant to work with him. He had so many ideas to share.” About the film, the peppy dancer said, “It is more about India. It’s about how  people care about this art form and it is a story of traditions and the love for life.” 

When asked about his favourite dancer in Bollywood, Prabhu Deva didn’t bat an eyelid, when he said, “Hrithik Roshan.”

D’Souza, a self confessed fan of the late pop legend Michael Jackson, says the film is a tribute to him. However, he is not contemplating copyrighting new dance steps shown in the movie, like MJ had “I had thought of it, but now we are not doing it. He was Michael Jackson. He could’ve done anything,” he smiled.