Cast: Kay Kay Menon, Prabhu Deva, Ganesh Acharya, Salman Yusuf Khan, Lauren Gottilieb, Dharmesh Yelande, Prince Gupta, Mayuresh Wadkar and Vrushali Chavan
Director: Remo D'Souza
Rating: 2/5
Not dancing to glory!!
A story which has been used too many times in various Hollywood and Bollywood films yet again finds its place as the basic plot in choreographer turned filmmaker Remo D'Souza's 'ABCD - Anybody Can Dance' (ABCD). Coming from him, there were expectations that India's first 3D dance film will be a 'Step Up' kind of flick for the Bollywood lovers. But alas it disappoints. Though overall, the film appears as a good package, a thorough work on the script and story would've taken it to another level.
The film starts with the mean dance class owner Jehangir (Kay Kay Menon) for whom his dance institute is a source of business and not a place where an art form is nurtured. His devilish intentions often affect the art form and the teacher Vishnu (Prabhudeva) who is completely against his commercial ways hindering the art of dance. He dislikes the way Jehangir makes headlines in media about his dance school. He thinks of teaching him a lesson when he intentionally does bad choreography for a high end dance show. But he is stunned when Jehangir manages to get the trophy for his institute with little help from his influences of course.
On discovering this, Vishnu quits the dance school only to end up as an accountant with a boring 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. job. He returns to Chennai and meets his inspiration to swing back to the world of dancing once again. His friend played by Ganesh Acharya helps him bounce back to life and live for a reason. He sets his eyes on a bunch of slum dwellers who he discovers possess great talent as dancers. He decides that he would train these bunch of youngsters and make them compete against the rich brats of his former dance school.
The story of underdogs emerging as heroes has been utilized a number of times in Bollywood and Hollywood films, hence it being repeated in another film that too which was touted to be India's first dance film comes as the most disappointing factor.
However, the dance sequences in the film are superb. With India's best choreographers working on the film, it was expected to be spectacular in every sense. Cameo by Saroj Khan is a pleasant add-on and enjoyable. We just hope, when Remo takes up direction the next time, he works hard on the script and presents the film with some freshness and tries not to play on a stereotype.
Music is good but could've been better considering it was a song-dance film, the upbeat music would've added to the fun. Performances by real life dancers turned actors for this film, Darshan, Salman, Punit and Prince is decent. Considering it is their first attempt at acting, we can pass them as first timers. Foreign import Lauren Gottlieb however, stands out in the lot. But veteran choreographers Ganesh and Prabhudeva are flattering and impressive. Last but not the least Kay Kay Menon is at his devilish best and a treat to the audiences.
3D hasn't been utilized to its optimum in the film as an enhanced use could've proved an additional USP for the film.
Watch it only if you are a great follower of dance and a fan of Bollywood choreographers.