Geeta Kapoor

Geeta Kapoor, better known to television audiences as Geeta Ma, is back in the judge’s seat for the third season of Dance India Dance Li’ Masters, at 9pm on Zee TV. At the launch of the show in Mumbai, she spoke to t2.

What would be special about this season of DID Li’ Masters?

Every season has a flavour of its own. Initially, I thought I’d get bored or over-exposed if I kept doing DID. But there were so many formats in between — DID Doubles, Super Moms, Li’ Masters…. There must be a trust factor behind DID because of which, unlike many other shows, it is going on season after season. Parents believe ke unke bachche iss show pe aayenge toh kuch na kuch ban jayenge, even if he or she doesn’t win.

What dominant feature have you noticed at these auditions?

There was a phase when kids used to come with just contemporary (dance). Again, a phase came for lyrical and then for slow motion. This season brought us variety. Also, a lot of children did classical or folk. Normally they say that they can do classical but they thought doing fusion or a foreign style would be a surer bet for selection. It seems, finally, a belief has set in that one can do classical or semi-classical style and get recognised. It is stunning to see children that age dance so fluently.

There was a mention of personality development at the launch. What does that imply?

Kids tend to get carried away when they get national exposure. But DID has that control over kids — they won’t go out there and misbehave. They represent the show, the channel and themselves. We had a 14-year-old who spoke brashly at the auditions. Ahmed sir (Khan) called his parents right away and gave them a mouthful. What does a child know what is good or bad manners? It is the parents’ duty to make him understand. He must be speaking this way at home too.

This is the first time you are in the judge’s seat next to choreographer Ahmed Khan....

He has become a “pappi king” for the bachchas. Sab seedha jaake lapakke pappi dete hain unko. One day he went home with lipstick all over his cheeks!

Are you still assisting Farah Khan?

I am her assistant for life. If she asks me to come tomorrow, I will drop everything and go. Right now she is busy with Happy New Year. I am supposed to help with a big song.

Once upon a time a choreographer’s only job was choreographing songs for films. Now that more options have come up, how do you divide time?

I do more television and events and less of films in comparison. For me, events have more gratification. Log taaliya bajaate hain toh kaam achchha hua hai. I do most of the film events, the Zee Cine Awards being the latest. I don’t have the patience to shoot, edit, then wait for a year when the film would release.

In live events, when the stars have to perform, how do you make them learn the steps given that they don’t have time for stage rehearsals?

That is a stage no one should know about (laughs). There are some artistes who like to personally work towards the conceptualising of the act. Some have the confidence in the choreographer... ‘If you are doing it, it will be good’. Some are careful about getting the song right for the act. Others want to ensure it is a visual spectacle. Once we have conceptualised it and put it together, we ask the star to come and take a look. Unko achchha lagta hai toh we go ahead with it. If not, all of them are smart enough to start tweaking their act. Then the dancers have to be prepared. Finally, stage marking — that’s vital.

Which stars want to contribute the most to the act?

Most actors like to do that. Priyanka (Chopra), being one of the smartest ladies we have where shows are concerned, is very aware of what looks good on her and what her capabilities are at that point vis-a-vis time. If she thinks she has a good 20 days to rehearse, uss ladki se aap kuch bhi karwa lo, woh kar legi. Lekin agar unko pata hai ki unke paas sirf paanch din hain ek show ke liye, then she knows she can make it look as effective but keeping in mind certain things which are a secret between her and her choreographer! I think she is one of the finest and most intelligent stage performers we have. There are even times when she has rehearsed for just 24 hours but no one could make that out.

And among the men?

In terms of a madness scale, Ranveer Singh tops the list. He is crazy. He loves to dance. Someone has to control him. He did a 14.5-minute act for Zee Cine Awards, which must be the longest live act done in the history of television. On and off, he rehearsed for four-five days. I won’t tell you the number of hours. He was absolutely brilliant. And mad!

Do you prefer a madcap or a professional for shows?

It depends on what stage the show is in. When there is no time, it would be nice to have a sorted-out artiste who would not give you stress. Otherwise it gets a bit taxing.

How about the earlier generation of stars who did a lot of stage shows?

Love them! They are fabulous people to work with. What I like best is their discipline. Of late, I have worked the most with Madhuriji (Dixit). I have not seen someone as disciplined, trusting and graceful. She has a belief in her abilities at such a level that she knows even if a part of her act does not have much value she will pull it off through her performance. She enhances an act when she performs.