Farah Khan: I'd never watched cricket before the IPL

Making actors dance to her tune is no big deal for choreographer-turned-director Farah Khan.

Only this time, the lady has been roped in to teach every cricket fan in the country how to dance to a four or a six and urge people to actively participate in the cricket matches by dancing to signature dance steps.

Farah will be participating in the IPL ( Indian Premier League) in as many ways as she can. For some of the matches she will also be going to the stadiums to encourage everyone there to join in the IPL dance.

Recently during the launch of Ariel Color and Style, she spoke to Rajul Hegde about IPL, cricket and the feedback for the campaign.
 
What is the feedback you have got for your IPL dance?

Feedback is phenomenal and Set Max (channel) is happy with the campaign's success. 

I am happy to have contributed my bit to the game and to the tournament.

The steps were challenging because they had to be catchy and fun, as well as simple so that normal people could learn them.
You can't do a classy step when people are going mad in the stadium and everyone is shouting. I had to come up with a lot of versions for the fours, sixes and out. Finally, they decided on the ones we see on television.

How do your children react to the dance?

My children are too young to understand what choreography is but I have told them that 'those are mama's dance steps'.

The moment my son hears the jingle or sees the ad on TV, he starts dancing on the bed. My daughters are snooty (smiles). Now all three are aware that I am part of IPL ad campaign because they have seen hoardings all over Mumbai and on TV.

Are they fond of cricket?

Yes they like to watch cricket. They support Mumbai Indians, as they go to Dhirubhai Ambani School.

Do you follow cricket?

Honestly, I have never watched cricket before IPL. I don't understand how people sit and watch the match entire day.

I have started watching now because of the shorter IPL format. And yes while choreographing for the sirf dekhne ka nahi campaign, I got to learn a lot about cricket. IPL's become a huge brand with its unique entertainment value.

Who are you rooting for this season?

It's natural that I support my good friend Shah Rukh Khan's team (Kolkata Knight Riders) and of course Mumbai Indians because I live in Mumbai. 

What do you have to say about Manoj Kumar filing a defamation case against Shah Rukh for allegedly tarnishing his image?

(The veteran actor claimed their film Om Shanti Om starring SRK in the lead and produced by his company Red Chillies Entertainment showed him in bad light and was released unedited in Japan recently despite his objection.)

I don't know why he is doing it. We have become good friends from last five years. He treats me like his daughter and I visit him frequently with my kids.

We have a good equation and if anyone wants to meet him, I arrange the meeting. I think someone is advising him wrongly otherwise why would he file a case against us? When he has already said that the issue is over and everything is sorted out. If he is hurt, I am hurt even more by this.

I am really fed up with this now. We have edited the scene in all the prints; satellite and DVDs. Due to some human error an old print was used during the release of the film Om Shanti Om in Japan. And it was not done with any kind of malice. 

Have you spoken to him after he filed the case?

Why would I? What is the point when he has already gone ahead and filed the case?

We will start working on it after Chennai Express. The casting is still on and we will announce it when it's done.  

How are you associated with the Arial Brand?

I am associated with IPL and Ariel. With more and more women playing a crucial role in the game, cricket is a whole new ball game today.

Also, people relate with me now. Women not only provide unconditional support to these champions but also ensure that their jerseys remain as colorful as their spirits.