Colonial Snub: John-Pakhi's Rs.1 Crore song scrapped

By Subhash K Jha

A song shot by the well-known British choreographer Michael Gracey at a whopping cost of Rs 1 crore for Abbas Tyrewala's film featuring his wife Pakhi and John Abraham in London is now being scrapped and re-shot in India with a desi choreographer right here in amchi Mumbai.

Reason given? After shooting the song, Abbas found Michael Gracey sensibility too alien.

Says Abbas, “At the outset I was very very impressed by Michael Gracey's knowledge of and passion for Bollywood songs and dances. Michael virtuallly knows every dance step from Bollywood by heart.

He's the guy who introduced Baz Luhrmann to the Bollywood idiom which Luhrnann used In Moulin Rouge. Michael literally knows all the dances that Akshay Kumar has performed in the 15 years of his career. ”

Excited about seeing the Bollywood sensibility through British eyes, Abbas shot the number with a full ensemble cast.

To his dismay and horror he discovered the song just doesn't work. “It doesn't fit my definition of a Bollywood song. I realize Michael is good for Bollywood-styled music videos. But he can't integrate his vision into a Bollywood film. ”

Now the song, reportedly shot at a cost of Rs 1 crore, will be re-shot by an Indian choreographer.

Sighs Abbas, “I know the song cost us a cost a bomb. And re-shooting it would mean added expenditure. But come on, guys! I am entitled to get second thoughts about portions of my film. And what's the big deal? I had shot the number Aditi in Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na twice. ”

And by the way, Abbas Tyrewala's ambitious love story is no longer called 1-800-Love. Informs Abbas, “It was a confusing title to many Indian viewers. We're going to firm in on a new title soon. ”

Though Abbas is not telling at the moment the film is likely to be named after an old Hindi film, just like Abbas' Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na.