Dev and Subhashree jig to Baba’s steps in Romeo

Baba Yadav started out as an assistant to Saroj Khan but soon made his own name in choreography. From Aamir Khan to Abhishek Bachchan in Bollywood and from Jeet to Dev in Tollywood, they have all grooved to his jhatkas and matkas. A t2 chat with Tollywood’s most-wanted dance master.

You were going great guns as a choreographer in Bollywood. Why did you switch to Tollywood?

I was shooting for Dus when Nitin Manmohan (producer) offered me work in Tollywood as he had contacts here. I accepted because I wanted to try other industries too. Shree Venkatesh Films offered me Bandhan (starring Jeet and Koel Mallick) and that’s how I started out here. I choreographed for many Tolly films after that, including MLA Fatakesto, Mon Je Kore Uru Uru, Bolo Na Tumi Amar, Saat Panke Bandha, Challenge, Dui Prithibi, Romeo and Phande Poriya Boga Kande Re.

Koel Mallick and Jeet in Dui Prithibi, choreographed by Baba

Recently you went back to Bollywood for Delhi Belly...

Yes. I did two songs — Switty tera pyaar chaida and Nakkaddwaley disco. Aamirbhai (Khan) liked my style. It was a great experience working with him. He gave me complete freedom. He really liked my ideas. My challenge was to give the perfect choreography to Mr Perfectionist (laughs).

Do you apply the same techniques in Bolly and Tolly films?

Not really. I have improved my techniques for Tollywood. But at present Bollywood and Tollywood are walking side by side, in terms of budget, look and the way the entire film is made. We shoot in South Africa, Milan, Venice.... There’s no particular technique I follow. New dance forms are born every month, so sticking to one is difficult. The song decides what style I will go for. My signature is a technique that even a taxi driver or a rickshawpuller can follow!

Who do you think are the best dancers in Tollywood?

Dev. He is young and has the hunger to achieve. Soham, Shrabanti and Koel are also hard-working and talented.

Soham and Shrabanti in the hit item number Coca cola from Phande Poriya..., also choreographed by Baba

You are from Uttar Pradesh. Is it difficult for you to follow Bengali lyrics?

To tell you honestly, I have started understanding the language. I have done south Indian films too, and their languages are the most difficult. But music has no language. Music only has beats. Once you understand the beat, there’s no difficulty.

Is Baba your real name?

No. It’s actually Rajesh Yadav. Masterji (Saroj Khan) had given me the name Baba when I used to assist her.

What next?

I am doing Vikram Bhatt’s next film and also Ravi Kinnagi’s untitled project starring Jeet and Koel. In future, I plan to direct films.

Sneha Dutta

Who do you think is the best dancer in Tollywood now? Tell t2@abp.in