We are definitely trying out that fun signature step tomorrow! Who's up for this?

Aaj Na Chhodenge

Film: Kati Patang

Singers: Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar

Music: R.D Burman

This good ol' composition by Pancham da will top every single Holi playlist. Also, we can never get enough of Kaka aka Rajesh Khanna's signature moves.

Here's wishing all our lovely readers across the globe a very Happy and Blessed Holi - in advance! Have fun and make it a one to remember, without troubling the animals and humans around you. Also, please save water and other resources for a better tomorrow.

What's your favourite Holi number? Leave a comment below or 
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Love,

The Dancebee

As winter transcends to spring, the month of February is already upon us (wow! almost a fortnight done). Needless to say, the month is synonymous with the feeling of being love! With blooming flowers, tropical vibes and a tinge of red all around; one can't miss the whiff of love in the air. Promises, roses and moments of mushy-ness. The endless list of date night ideas. Updates and posts that follow. Nothing can match upto the feeling of being in love. Sigh! It's wonderful, isn't it?

But, have you looked at yourself in the mirror, and showered some words of compliments? A subtle, "You look wonderful today," from a special someone creates a flutter in our stomach, doesn't it? How about we tweak things a bit and say this to ourselves, just once in a while? Learning to love yourself and being comfortable in one's skin is the most liberating and beautiful feeling. When no one stands by, you have yourself. When all else fails, you can motivate yourself. No one can love you better, if you fail to love yourself first. So, stop being harsh and learn to love! This valentine's day, give yourself some much needed love. Compliment yourself, and smile. Don't wait for someone else to make a difference! Love thy self fiercely, folks. So much, that when others see you, they know exactly how it should be done. 

"Kapde silayle hai khud ke dum pe, nahi liye maine apne baap se," raps Gully Boy aka Ranveer Singh, as the entire theatre breaks into an impromptu round of cheer and applause. It becomes a habit, especially in the second half, where one impressive moment after another leaves you spellbound, whistling and cheering for the lead protagonist and his struggle to the top. This ain't your typical rags to riches story. Zoya Akhtar's Gully Boy goes a notch above and strikes a chord with it's realistic depiction of the underground hip hop scene in our very own city of dreams - Mumbai.

Gully Boy showcases Murad Sheikh's (Singh) rise to fame, as he discovers his passion for rapping, while overcoming his personal obstacles and dilemmas. As a budding artist and youngster belonging to a simple household located in the by-lanes of Dharavi, the road ahead isn't easy. In fact, Murad's journey is full of ups and downs. Right from dealing with a stern father, who isn't too keen on the boy following his dream and insists he concentrates on getting a decent job, to dealing with the shortcomings of his friends, who indulge in one illegal activity after another, and observing the silent emotional sufferings of his mother; it's all topsy turvy. 

But, Murad finds his calling in the world of hiphop. And of course, some solace in spending time with his loved one - Safeena (Alia Bhatt), a feisty budding surgeon, who wouldn't leave any stone unturned to keep her guy away from the prying eyes of another girl. Even if that means thrashing or breaking glass bottles; Safeena is unapologetically real and bindaas. However, she too has her own set of hurdles to deal with, as she is forced to put on a rather timid face at home, thanks to family norms and values. One things leads to another, and Murad comes across a known underground rapper - MC Sher (Siddhant Chaturvedi), who becomes an integral part of his future journey. Will Murad make it big and realise his dreams? How does he adapt to the world of underground rap and hiphop battles? That's for you to find out!

The screenplay, dialogues, performances, music; don't know where one can begin. There isn't any department where the film fails to impress. In fact, there are parts which end up exceeding expectations and how!! While one wonders if the curse of second half would affect this film, you witness a stronger comeback, which keeps the audience hooked on right till the last frame (all the way till the last credit rolls out). Akhtar and Reema Kagti's writing spells perfection. While keeping the underground hiphop movement as the dominant theme, the film has multiple layers, which brilliantly touch upon pertinent issues - ranging from domestic violence, skewed standards of living, hardships of the common man, and even shades of feminism, which strongly reflects in Bhatt's Safeena. Vijay Maurya pens memorable dialogues, which deservingly received thunderous applause and cheers. Some lines, filmed on Singh, Chaturvedi and even Bhatt, leave a strong impact. Jay Oza's impeccable cinematography captures the essence of Mumbai streets very well. Various artists, including some of the OG 'Gully Boys' who have inspired the film - Divine, Naezy among others, come together to create one memorable soundtrack for the film. Of course, it goes without saying that the music plays a dominant role, and turns out to be an exceptional 'hero' in the film. The songs grow on you once played on loop, with lyrics that pack a punch. Apna Time Aayega, Asli Hip Hop, Mere Gully Mein and Azaadi are hands down some of our favourites.

Performances level up with every scene, as the artists breathe life into their respective characters with absolute perfection. While one expects Singh and Bhatt to be highlighted as the main stars, Akhtar ensures their characters get weaved in naturally, and every cast member shines with their individual performances. This is one aspect that becomes an important trump card for the film. Casting is top notch, as each artist stands out with their respective acts. Vijay Raaz (Aftab Sheikh) and Amruta Subhash (Afreen Sheikh) as Murad's parents are excellent. Debutant Siddhant Chaturvedi deserves a special mention and is supremely impressive. As MC Sher, he becomes the catalyst in Murad's life, thus making his character an integral part of the latter's journey. The actor does complete justice, with the perfect attitude and cool quotient required to play this role. Ditto Vijay Verma, whose portrayal of the smart street boy Moeen, makes a mark. Kalki Koechlin's Sky doesn't have too much screen space, but the actress does a good job with her short yet important role.

Needless to say, it is Bhatt who walks away with maximum 'seeti' (whistle) worthy dialogues. As the doll faced yet spunky Safeena, she wins your heart with the right amount of fire and ice in her personality. Her possessiveness for Murad leads to many a memorable moments, where Bhatt shines with her exceptional act. As Murad's love interest, she goes on to become his biggest support and strength. However, it is Singh who steals the show with a flawless portrayal of 'Gully Boy' aka Murad. He brilliantly presents various shades of an artist's personality within 155 odd minutes, with the perfect personality, body language and expressions. As a dreamer waiting to fly and spread his wings, Singh's Murad depicts the story of every determined youngster, who is waiting to / or has made a mark on their own. It is impossible to imagine Singh - the award winning actor that we know, and instead, one sees him living as and effortlessly breathing life into Murad on screen. The intensity and fire in his eyes speak volumes, and sometimes, create a bigger impact than the dialogues. Shedding his usual infectious energy and enthusiasm, Singh steps into the shoes of a character that demands various moods, ranging from calm to romantic, motivated to exasperated and more. The passion with which Singh has moulded himself to become one with Murad, right from acing his personality and overall look to even rapping songs with complete dedication, is simply impeccable. Who could believe that we saw the same guy dance around on 'Aankh Marey' in a beefed up avatar, just a month ago? Well, that's Ranveer Singh for you, and no one does it like him. Clearly, this Gully Boy steals the show with his flawless act.

 Gritty, raw, and remarkably beautiful; captain of the ship - Zoya Akhtar, deserves full credit for perfectly putting together a film, that serves as a great tribute to the hiphop movement, and both the popular, budding artists involved. There isn't a single 'check your phone' or rest room break moment, as the film successfully keeps you hooked on with it's decent pace and overall flow. Kudos to Akhtar, Kagti and the makers for highlighting this subject, penning their magic, bringing it to life on the big screen and getting the heroes of Indian (or if I may say - Asli) Hip Hop to the forefront. As if my words weren't enough, my best friend (who has been waiting to catch this film right since the trailer dropped) quoted this right after the preview - "The film serves as an inspiration to budding rappers, and all those who want to break beyond their ordinary lives. Those Gully vibes leave you with goosebumps all over. Angaaar Hai, Ranveer. Angaar Hai." Well, I couldn't agree more!!

Easily one of the best films in recent times, with performances that will be remembered for a long, long time. Bahut Hard, Gully Boy!! Bahut-ich Hard.

Verdict: This is an experience that cannot be missed! Gully Boy is an absolute must watch for the entire family. Highly recommended.

⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

Are you excited to watch Gully Boy in cinemas from today? Leave a comment below or Join the conversation at

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Love,

The Dancebee

There are certain genres that work for the audience, but don’t go with my sensibilities. One of them is comedy. Not putting down comedies made in our country, but I don’t connect with that. But, if I had to do a comedy, I wouldn’t mind it, but as a producer I would love to do a comedy that I’d want to see. Something which doesn’t alienate the audience, but at the same time, doesn’t dole the same content that has been churned out over and over again for the past 30-40 years. I like real films like Why Cheat India, which can also entertain at the same time. So, I would want to do more of these kind of films. I would also like to explore the action genre in a manner, which would be a drastic change from the kind of regular action you get to see. They have seen bits of it in films like Awaarapan, Baadshaaho and will get to see a lot of it in Bard of Blood. But, again the action hero in our country is something I don’t get. I don’t understand a guy fighting 15 people. If I get into this genre, I would like to break the mould. Let’s see, once the film releases, I will sit down and choose which genres I would want to explore.

As a producer, I wouldn't want to alienate the audience, but at the same time, I won't dole the same content that has been churned out over and over again for the past 30-40 years

Shot By: Sushant Sawant

Editing | Hair & Make Up: Team Dancebee

They say - Zero is a complete number. And yet, one witnesses the lead characters of Aanand L Rai's romantic - drama as being incomplete in their own way. Be it physically, emotionally or mentally; each integral character is fighting his / her own battle. That is exactly what sets the tone for Rai's Zero, which unfolds as a simple yet beautiful tale. Oh, and there is a lot more to the film than just a lead protagonist shown as a dwarf. Wanna know more about Khan's much anticipated Christmas release, without any spoilers (of course)? Read on:

Bauua Singh (Shah Rukh Khan) is not your average hero. For someone who dreams of knocking off villains as a countryside brave heart,  Singh is actually a blunt, cocky, selfie obsessed man, who won't think twice before showering his friends with bundles of cash. His only weakness? Superstar Babita Kumari (Katrina Kaif), who he aspires to marry. Singh's biggest personal dilemma happens to be his height, as at 4'2, the man is a dwarf. However, that doesn't stop him from being his 'filmy' self. So much, that he even has a Dhoom 3 inspired outfit reserved, just to watch Babita on the big screen. His antics are often supported by a best friend (Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub), who never leaves an opportunity to deliver latest updates from Babita's life, published in various magazines and newspapers, directly to Singh.  Meanwhile, it is revealed that Singh secretly met a renowned Space Centre scientist - Aafia (Anushka Sharma) via a matrimonial site, and the two went on to become more than just friends. Enter Babita, who unexpectedly meets Singh, just a night before the most important day in his life. What follows is a tale of twisted emotions in Aafia's life, unravelling the dark side of love in Babita's life, and of course, Baaua's quest - jo zindagi katna nahi, jeena chahta tha.

Bauua Singh is not your average hero. He dreams of knocking off villains as a countryside brave heart

Rai is known to tell stories that are deep rooted in the heartland of India. Tales that explore the real, raw and vulnerable sides of his characters. Be it Raanjhanaa's Kundan or Manu from Tanu Weds Manu; they are often flawed. The lead protagonists in Zero are no different, except maybe Sharma's Aafia. But, these very flaws and challenges help Bauua, Aafia and Babita discover themselves in a whole new perspective, during different stages of the film. It won't be fair to reveal the main plot (and we never deal with spoilers), but a Standard 10 pass Bauaa achieves a feat that he wouldn't have ever dreamt of. Hence, these challenges become their biggest strength, and in a way, a strong highlight of the film.

Flaws and challenges help Bauua, Aafia and Babita discover themselves in a whole new perspective, during different stages of the film

Music composer duo Ajay-Atul deliver yet another winner, with songs that add a special touch to the narrative. The tracks fit well, and have been wonderfully composed. Especially Mere Naam Tu, which is hands down of the best romantic numbers, both sung and shot in recent times. Then there is Heer Badnaam (composed by Tanishk Bagchi), and a soothing slow number that appears right before the climax. The background score is perfect. Without being too over dramatic, it's the perfect addition to the moments that unfold. Manu Anand's cinematography is decent. One feels the editing could have been a bit tight and crisp in the second half. Especially towards the last 15-20 minutes, where the film felt a little over-stretched. Himanshu Sharma's writing scores full points in the first half, and even during the initial part post interval. However, one feels like the strings loosen up towards the end, where the plot starts feeling a bit too ho-hum. The ensemble cast comprising of Bauaa's parents (Tigmanshu Dhulia and Sheeba Chaddha) and his best friend (Ayyub) perform well.  Be prepared for some starry cameos too, with the likes of Salman Khan, Deepika Padukone, Kajol among others making a splash. Though, the special has got to be Late Sridevi's final glimpse, looking stunning ever.

Music composer duo Ajay-Atul deliver yet another winner, with songs that add a special touch to the narrative

However, the film primarily focuses on the journey of three integral characters - Aafia, Babita and Bauua. Katrina's swag as the unabashed diva Babita Kumari is simply incredible. If there is anyone who gets maximum cheers after Khan's entry, it is Katrina. Popular actress with million fans, yet a doomed diva with a broken heart; Katrina does a fine job of bringing out Babita's inner turmoil. Absolutely loved her glamorous on-screen presence. But, it's the emotional scenes, that showcase Babita's vulnerability, where Katrina nails the expression and how! Wish she could have got some more screen time, though. As the genius scientist Aafia, Anushka delivers one of her finest performances in recent times. She puts together a perfectly nuanced, controlled act; keeping in mind the limitations she has due to the character's disability (cerebral palsy). It ain't a simple task to express yourself with limited movements in a film, where the co-star's character is unapologetically rude and yet, fun loving. Anushka does complete justice to her character. As an actress, she has never failed to deliver in the past, and has always given her 100% to every role. Aafia is no different, as she creates an impact with a fantastic performance.

Katrina's swag as the unabashed diva Babita Kumari is simply incredible, while Anushka delivers one of her finest performances in recent times

However, Zero's biggest heroes are those who literally carry the film on their able shoulders with élan. The first? Of course, Shah Rukh Khan. He is the heart and soul of Rai's vision, which takes Bauua from Meerut to United States of America, despite all the hurdles and flaws that the character overcomes. It's impossible to doubt Khan's performance in any film, as he never leaves a stone unturned to give his finest best to every character. With Zero, he takes things a notch above with an all new avatar. And yet again, he triumphs. Don't just go by that height, mind you. It's a mix of his brash behaviour, witty dialogues, impeccable style, charm and craziness; and it all comes together to win your heart. He excels in some fine emotional moments, leaving you a teeny bit teary eyed too. Khan steals the show and owns the film, leaving you with a smile, and moments that define the film. The film belongs to SRK in every sense, and he delivers a flawless performance. The second hero of this film has got to be the team behind it's VFX. A lot of effort and hard work has gone behind putting together this film, especially post shoot. The film, especially it's lead protagonist, relies heavily on VFX for his physicality. Every minute detail has been perfectly crafted, especially Khan's structure, facial expressions and his movements. Kudos to the VFX team at Red Chillies for a fantastic job.

The film belongs to SRK in every sense, and he delivers a flawless performance

Rai's style of film making makes the first half a breezy ride. Packed with impeccable humour, some wonderful romantic moments, and emotional scenes, the first half truly wins your heart, especially with its good writing and some really well penned dialogues. We wish the second half could be a bit tighter and perhaps, shorter by a few minutes. Nevertheless, it's the overall experience that overshadows the drawbacks. Khan, Anushka and Katrina - the trio's fantastic act, state of the art VFX, melodious music and wholesome (yet emotional) entertainment makes this a good watch at the cinemas with your family and / or loved ones. Bauua toh chaa gaya, bhai!!

Verdict: Watch it for SRK, and the two leading ladies, who steal the show with their performance. This one's got all the elements of a romantic-drama, with some 'unique' VFX twist that makes it worth a watch!
⭐⭐⭐1/2

Taking off from where we left in the previous part, here's Part II of our candid conversation with superstar Shah Rukh Khan. Excerpts from our chat:

As an artist, how did you deal with the shift in psyche, especially while being in and out of a character that has physical limitations, and a completely different personality?

Like I mentioned, my portions were shot while I standing inside a one and a half feet deep pit. There were also boxes, which would move wherever I went. So personally, I never felt short, except while standing next to Anushka or Katrina (laughs). On a serious note, Anushka's character even has a line - 'Relationship barabari ka hoga', which is even a part of the trailer. Because technically, we are the same height in the film, as she is seated on her digitally controlled chair. I never felt any difference, except for a small fact that it was like walking two steps below. 

What about the sets, costumes and props? How did you work around those, considering you could actually see the final look post structural changes?

I'll tell you what was difficult. A lot of times, we would shoot a scene, and after 3-4 months while watching the structure change, we think it looks really good. Sometimes, it would look worse, because when he becomes small, everything feels different. In fact, some scenes even had to be re-shot. If I did something with my own style, it looked wrong on a shorter person. It's a little difficult to describe, but if you notice the romantic track (Mere Naam Tu), his movements are a little child like. Like chest thumps and jumps. He can't do tight moves, so even the choreography had to be a little loose. It was during the look test that I did around 2 and a half years back, that I noticed, something just wasn't right. Even the props were bigger for me. For instance, if it's an iPhone 8 for everyone, then that's X for me. If you read a normal book, mine is a bit bigger. Shirt - trouser fittings had to be kept in mind. We also wanted him to have a slight paunch, which isn't too prominent, but at the same time, he should look attractive. So, those elements had to be kept in mind.

We had to buy a machine called Techno Dolly, and have it sent from overseas. It's actually used for shots in Games of Thrones as well

Tell us a little about the inclusion of aeronautics in the film. Were portions of the film shot in NASA?

Well, there is no mention of NASA as such. We have built our own space research centre. Personalisation was necessary, as NASA only allows one film to use their name per year, and they already had 'First Man'. So, we become the second one. However, we did shoot some scenes there, and we had requested if another name can be used. Especially because we have taken certain cinematic liberties in the film. So, the permissions were necessary.  

We are making the biggest and largest number of films in a year. We assume that we are the best film makers in the world

What are your thoughts of the use of VFX in Hindi films. Do you think it needs a better push in the Indian film industry, with the kind of genres we are experimenting with today?

VFX has to be much more prominent in Hindi films, for cinema to have better story telling. We are making the biggest and largest number of films in a year. We assume that we are the best film makers in the world. But, I think the new influx of audience that will come in the future, that is kids who are now 7-8 years old, they will not be very forgiving about the cinematic sound and visual experience. They are used to watching the latest films and songs in full HD on phones or computers. Some beautiful films with a great overall visual experience have released recently, and have been accepted by the audience. It is only a matter of time that the numbers will increase. These children will grow up watching such films, even in small towns, thanks to the growing connectivity we have today. In the future, they won't accept excuses like, "Arey, Hindi film main kuch bhi chalta hai." That excuse is fine for us, and mine would be the last generation, who would see a tacky film and say - But still, this is the first for India (laughs). 

Go on....

In fact, you are still younger. I was telling someone, how it was 15 years ago that I first went to a multiplex. But, now I am used to that recliner chair, big screens, and flavoured popcorns. But when I was growing up, cinema halls were very rundown, at least most of them. Now, since I am used to the multiplex experience, if you take me back to the old hall, I might not be comfortable. Even if it's another country, I would be like - Arey, yeh kahan aa gaye. Mujhe picture nahi dekhni. So, kids are already used to that world. And when I speak of VFX, it's not just films like Baahubali. There is so much more to VFX than that. It can be used even for the smallest of films, like Zodiac in Hollywood, which is made over a period of 15-20 days. A lot of VFX is used for simple details - like speed, cars, camera movements, and it can't be pinpointed specifically. So, I feel film makers should come forward and make use of this technology to enhance the overall movie experience.

Film makers should come forward and make use of technology to enhance the overall movie experience

When it comes to the use of technology, you and team Red Chillies VFX have always taken things a notch above. But, technology often comes with its own set of challenges. What were some of the hurdles that you came across during the making of this film, and how did you over come it?

While shooting for the track with Salman (Khan), and there are a few scenes as well, where we could not get the moving shots right. The film became very static, as you had to shoot five times - background, actors, crowd among others. So, the layering became difficult. Eventually, we had to buy a machine called Techno Dolly, and have it sent from USA. It's actually used for shots in Games of Thrones as well. But, buying a machine wasn't enough, and so, we had to get a person who could perfectly manage the equipment. So now, they have their own technique of working and understanding, and we haven't worked on that machine before. Hence, the director had to learn how to work on that machine, which by the way, it quite big. Just the other day, we were shooting for some additional scenes for the last bit of the film, and there was a fire. While the fire could be controlled well in time, as it wasn't that big, but the water used to douse the fire went into the machine. So, the whole thing stopped working. Of course, we could shoot in static, but everyone was obviously worried. Also, it was sad, because we bought this expensive machine, perhaps a first in the country. Luckily for us, after keeping it in a silica tank or something, the machine was up and working within two days. So yes, technology does bring along some hitches. Sometimes, you do make mistakes. Of course, there were some good parts too. 

And what about the song with Salman Khan?

So, while shooting with Salman, I had to jump in his arms. We thought he will have to be hooked on something. He was standing at quite a height, and I had to take a jump. Obviously, when I jump, that will have a lot of force. So, we wanted him to be put on to a wire. But, he is so strong, that he didn't move. That solved a lot of problems (smiles). Because if had fallen or moved in a stranger manner, we couldn't have pulled off that shot. Certain shots may start looking a bit weird if not executed properly. Then, in some shots I have to jump into a rickshaw, or even Zeeshan's lap. So, somebody discovered that if a string is put up, I can jump across and reach (laughs). These little things were experimented with. Some look real, some unreal. Certain romantic scenes had to look a certain way. Now, when Katrina bends down to kiss me, she can't touch me too much. That's because my face gets covered and it cannot structured later. So, angles had to be set. Beyond that, we couldn't judge or look at what we have shot. Usually, we are used to seeing our shots on the monitor. It was a lot of hit and trial. That's why, we took a lot of time to shoot this film with complete perfection.

We hope you enjoyed our candid conversation with Shah Rukh Khan!

Read Part I of the Conversation here
Are you excited to watch Zero tomorrow? Share your excitement in the comment below or Join the conversation on
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Love,
The Dancebee