January 27, 2009

I'm not dating Britney Spears: Sandip

I'm not dating Britney Spears: SandipAce Indian choreographer Sandeep Soparrkar wants to once and for all put to rest rumours about his alleged affair with Britney Spears and says he is too much in love with his partner Jesse Randhawa to even think of dating the American pop star.

"I don't want to talk much about it as I am already in the news for the wrong reasons, but I want to make one thing clear that I am not dating Britney Spears," Soparrkar told IANS over telephone from Mumbai.

Just a few months ago, the international media was abuzz with the news that Spears is dating Soparrkar. Media reports had said that the two met at Madonna's party, hit it off immediately and later Spears came to India to spend time with him.

"I am very much in love with my partner Jesse Randhawa. I enjoy dancing with her. Whenever I dance with her, it gives me a feeling of closeness and pleasure," he added.

Soparrkar specialises in Latin American ballroom dancing and says the attitude of Indians towards this dance form is changing and people are now taking it seriously.

"People are becoming aware about treating dance as a career option and those who are serious know how to go about it. Dance is not a hobby any more and many study dance as their subject," he said.

"The most important thing is to understand and learn dance; only then can you excel in classes. There are people who are born with some dancing skills, but it is something that can be learnt over a period of years," he added.

While many have taken to learning western dances like salsa, Latino, rumba and cha-cha-cha, Soparrkar feels that the popularity of Bollywood dances overshadow these elegant dance forms.

"Bollywood dancing is the weirdest dance form and it can be learnt as a hobby. All those moves look good on screen and they are fun. Bollywood has a major influence on our everyday life and people love to imitate the moves of a popular song, but it isn't a serious dance form," the dancer said.

While Bollywood actors like Hrithik Roshan and Shahid Kapur have become a rage for their dancing skills, Soparrkar's personal favourite is Govinda, who according to him is a carefree and energetic dancer.

"He dances so beautifully and his effortless moves and great expressions make him a treat to watch. He dances from the heart and you can see the pleasure dancing gives him," he said.

Although he finds Bollywood dance weird, Soparrkar will be choreographing for three movies - "Raftar 24x7", "Cyclone" and "Phir Kabhi", which features Dimple Kapadia and Mithun Chakraborty.

"I'm not going to follow the Bollywood style. It will be a completely different form of dancing," he said.

Soparrkar made his debut on the small screen last year with music reality show "Chak De Shehar Di Kudiyan Te Galli De Gunde". This year too the salsa expert is one of the judges on new reality TV series "CBF Stunner 10" on UTV Bindaas.

The show, aired every Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., aims to spread awareness about safe biking amongst youngsters.

"The competition takes care of your overall personality and it is not just a show. It is a platform that prepares young aspirants to achieve their goal. We are just a guiding factor to help teach them basic things that will help them in the long run," Soparrkar said.