What was the response to Padmavati at the premiere?

It was overwhelming. Not only was there a standing ovation but also seven curtain calls.

As a choreographer, what was expected from you?
I was expected to choreograph the dances in such a way that they look part of the total piece and NOT different.

Have you done anything of this kind earlier?
No, I have never done anything like this before. There were 22 dancers from my troupe along with three Manipuri performers from Imphal. Seven pieces have been choreographed to Roussel’s philharmonic orchestra.

How was Sanjay Leela Bhansali to work with?
This was my first project with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and I enjoyed working with him as he is a stickler for perfection and also very appreciative of good work.

Do you think Bhansali has done justice to the famous 1923 opera-ballet by Albert Roussel, in its new interpretation?
Bhansali has done a fantastic work. All the reviews have given Padmavati five star ratings .

Being a choreographer himself, was he forthcoming with his ideas?
Being the director of the whole show, it is very important to listen to his ideas, views and concept. It was my job to try and give a shape to his vision through the choreography. He did give a lot of inputs but he was also open to alterations. He did not try to impose. He has his way of getting what he wants. If that means he is a taskmaster then he probably is. He gets the best out of the artistes.

Besides doing the dances, did you also have to work on the costumes and the other details of the artistes?
No... all the costumes were done by Rajesh Pratap Singh.

Were you given a freehand while choreographing?
Yes I was. There was a piece I choreographed in Act 2 which Sanjay did not touch at all as he loved the work.

Padmavati has a predominantly French cast. Wasn’t language an issue?
It was a pleasure working with all the French soloists. Most of them speak English, so it was fine. The actor in the title role of Padmavati is Sylvie Brunet. Finnur Bjarnason plays Ratan Sen, Alain Fondary is in the role of Alaouddin, Le Brahmane is played by Yann Beuron, Francois Piolino enacts the role of Badal, Nakamti is Blandine Folio Peres, Gora is Laurent Alvaro, Alain Gabriel plays La Sentinelle and Louis Lalov is Livret.

What else are you busy with?
At present it’s only Padmavati.