Winning rare acclaim for his choreography in the Oscar Winning Danny Boyle’s “Slumdog Millionaire” and bagging the prestigious Fred Astaire Award (2009), choreographer and dancer Longinus Fernandes’s career as a choreographer spans for more than two decades. Longinus has worked with Manoj Kumar, Aamir Khan, Sanjay Leela Bhansali , Ken Ghosh, Farha Khan, Madhur Bhandarkar, Javed Jaffri. Julia Roberts etc. In this intervew with VIJAY SHANKER, Longinus narrates as to how he started his career as a dancer winning the championship at the All India Disco Competiton, being an asistant to Farha Khan and emerging as an independent choreographer since 1996 and his range of work in theatre, commercials,television and movies.
How did you get inclined to dance?
Since childhood I have been watching my father dance and so I naturally started dancing, learning to Jive, ballroom, fox trot etc. We were great fans of Beetles and Micheal Jackson.
Did you pursue your academic studies?
Yes I was a student of St Mary in Mazagaon and St Joseph in Juhu
Was it difficult to pursue your passion?
If you are passionate about something you will always have the time and the inclination to pursue your passion.
Did you get support from your family?
We are a large family of four brothers. I am in the third position.Fortunately my family always encouraged me but I was shattered when I lost my father in 1995 and at that time Farha Khan suggested that I could join her as her assistant and that was a true blessing for me. The choreography for the song Rukja O Dil Diwane from Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (DDLJ) was a memorable experience for me
How did you progress further?
I had good work experience as I had also done the choreography for over 300 music videos, working for companies like Magnasound, Universal, Tips, Venus etc. I also met Javed Jaffri as he liked my work. Along with him I did several stage shows in different countries
What has been you equation with Javed Jafferi?
Javedbhai is a complete professional, a great performer and wonderful human being.
When did you become an independent choreographer?
My first independent assignment as a choreographer was for the Telugu Film Ninne Pelladata starring Nagarjuna and directed by Krishna Vamshi
Did you have any formal training?
Not really but my father was my first teacher and I was quite fascinated by his dance. I also joined a group of dancers known as Orginal Sphinx and my group members included Farha Khan,Anuj Kapoor, Nehal Khan and Hemu Sinha. We performed extensively and won the championship at the All India Disco championship which was held at Searock Hotel in Bandra
Tell us about equation with Manoj Kumar and Madhur Bhandarkar?
I worked with Manojji in the film “Jai Hind”, he is great filmmaker and a wonderful person. With Madhur I have worked for “Page 3” “Corporate”,”Sarkar”,”Jail”, “Calendar Girls” and “Indu Sarkar”. He is a realistic filmmaker and a professional too. His range of work is amazing.
Tell us about your experience as a cinematographer with Danny Boyle’s Oscar award winning film Slumdog Millionaire?
It was a great experience working with Danny in the outdoor location of streets,in Mumbai, Delhi, Agra etc.
How did you bag Slumdog Millionaire?
Danny liked my work with Adnan Sami’s remix album “Lift Karade”, and hence I was assigned to work with him.
Did you get more such Hollywood projects?
X’cel Talent Agency looks after my work. Thanks to them, I worked with Julia Roberts for “Eat Pray and Love”,”Will to Live”, “Second Best Marigold Resort” and also “So You Think You Can Dance”.
You won a prestigious award for Aamir Khan’s “Pappu Cant Dance.”
Aamir Khan is not only a great person but also very disciplined to work with. His knowledge is amazing and Imran Khan is charismatic performer
What is the difference between working for albums, television and movies?
The scope of work for album or television is limited whereas movies have a larger framework and the dance and song may be related to the story of the film
What is your comment on music being more rhythm oriented?
Rhythm forms an integral part of dance, so the music is of prime importance. If the music is really good, it will always be a challenge for the choreographer to present dance in the most appealing manner. If the music is not good, the choreography has to be striking; otherwise it won’t appeal to the audience.Over the years, everything has been changing, Earlier with symphony music around, the choreography was exciting, but now it is electronics. Earlier it was break dance, now it is B’boiung, In the 70’s we had Beatles,ABBA, Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd, Jim Reves. It is essential to understand what exactly the audience today wants.
Have you had any difficulty with any director?
It is important to understand as to what the director wants and form combination with music and dance that would appeal to larger section of the audiences. If the director or the producer is not happy with my work, there is certainly the big risk that I may be thrown out.
Tell me about your happiest moment in your life?
It was when my son was born in 1999. Fortunately for me, my wife Shabana is a nice and understanding person and I have a daughter too.
What disturbs you in life?
Sometimes when I am not paid for my work, I get disturbed. Also dishonest and superficial people disturb me. I want to be happy and at the same time also make others happy with my work.
