SUNDAY POST JAN 18-24
Himanshu Guru
Talking about the experience of their debut
performance for the big screen in an exclusive
interview with Sunday Post, the choreographer duo said, “It is altogether a different feel for us. We have worked in a number of dance reality shows. But working in films brought us some new and sweet moments.”
With the advent of reality dance shows in the small screen, budding talents from every state have got a national platform to showcase their aptitude. Orissa played a vital role in this respect. While in singing Sniti Mishra, Sohini Mishra and Rituraj came off with flying colours, in dance Rajasmita Kar and the Jaya Biswas and Rakesh Deo pair brought laurels to the state thanks to their mesmerising performances. Choreographer duo Jaya and Rakesh has entered the domain of choreography through Oriya film A-Aa-Harshaee. Sunday POST tracks the pair’s voyage so far and their debut experience in the film.
Jaya has a long experience of 15 years. She has so far successfully taken part in popular dance reality shows like Dance India Dance (DID), India’s Dancing Superstar, and Boogie Woogie, telecast in different national TV channels. During the telecast, the pair was the most talked about name in the state. Not only in dance, but Jaya has a series of TV serials to her credit where she acted and earned big appreciation from the audience. Some of the serials she has acted in are Nagin (in Zee TV Hindi), Katha Sarita (in DD Hindi), Aye Maati Ra Katha and Unwasi Kanya (in Tarang TV). She has been assigned with two upcoming feature films. Besides, she is a renowned VJ, who shot to fame through Nijhum Ratira Sathi and Voice of Odisha in Taranga TV. She also is a RJ and her Chup Chap Rati Tup Tap Katha (in 104 FM) was a very popular show on relationships. She also won the Maggie Dhoom Machale dance show aired in Taranga TV channel.
Rakesh has 20 years of dance experience. He has so far successfully participated in popular dance reality shows telecast at the national platform. Paired with Jaya, Rakesh has performed in India’s Dancing Super star, Boogie Woogie and Dance Premier League.
Jaya and Rakesh got ‘The Best Chemistry Dancing Pair’ tag in India’s Dancing Superstar and now they have ventured into the Oriya film industry as choreographers. They finished as finalists in the national level reality shows. They are now together as dance partners and joint choreographers. Oriya film A-Aa-Harshaee is their first ever project as choreographers. The pair choreographed two songs in the film namely ‘Pada mo jhuntuchi’ and ‘Hulchul mitha’.
Talking about the experience of their debut choreography for the big screen in an exclusive interview with Sunday Post, the choreographer duo said, “It is altogether a different feel for us. We have worked in a number of dance reality shows. Even these days we are composing dance for almost all the big dance shows of the state. But working in films brought us some new and sweet moments.”
The pair is working together since the last four years. Besides dance, for the first time Jaya has also sung a song for the film. Narrating about the song ‘Hulchul mitha’ she said, “It is my favourite song in the film. It is a romantic number and we have not set tough steps. Rather we’ve put simple steps to uphold the romantic essence of the song.” “In the song we have played with light and sound to come up with an extraordinary outcome. It is worthy to mention that cameraman Ajit has capably captured the shots as per our visualisation,” the pair added. When asked whether the artistes are comfortable about their steps they said, “Yes, all three of them, Ardhendu, Babli and Srijala have done complete justice to our choreography.”
Narrating about the wild experience of the shoot Rakesh said, “It was a night shoot and we were taking shots in rain. The location was in the deep forest full of insects and reptiles. When the place was cleaned for the shoot all those creatures came out of their dwelling places. We had a tough time.” “It took us two days to complete the song,” Jaya added.
When asked about any interesting happening in the film Jaya said, “During the night shoot a bee stung my wrist which swelled immediately. It started to pain like hell. But then it was known only to both of us. Actually we did not want to drop the shoot for that. Even these days it pains a little bit. We also got drenched in the rain.”
Narrating about the shooting of the song ‘Hulchul mitha’, Rakesh said, “The song is Srijala’s introduction number. It was a village scene where she was required to do some cute feminine steps. We were shooting at a location near Konark. The shot was Srijala would come running towards the camera. I was sitting by the side of the Jimmy jib operator and watching the monitor. I shouted the counting one, two, three, four, action! I saw the character vanishing from the frame. I was astonished. Then after a while realised that the heroine had fell down inside the long grasses. Everybody had a sound laughter.”
Rakesh has also worked in Bengali films. He said, “They treat us very good.” The choreographer duo is probably the youngest pair in the Oriya film industry. “We want to do a lot of films and this is just the beginning,” Jaya and Rakesh said with smile.
