Sandip Soparrkar Explores Unique Collaboration With GenS Life For Senior Dancers At Kala Ghoda Festival

Sandip Soparrkar, a renowned choreographer and actor, recently discussed his collaboration with GenS Life for the Kala Ghoda Art Festival. This event showcases performances by 40 senior dancers, all over 60 years old. In an interview with Filmibeat, Soparrkar shared his enthusiasm for this unique partnership and also talked about his experiences with Bollywood stars and dance reality shows.

Inspiration Behind the Collaboration

Soparrkar was inspired by GenS Life's vision for seniors. Meenakshi Menon, the head of GenS Life, emphasised that life after 60 still holds opportunities. Soparrkar admired this perspective, noting that retirement should mean retiring from responsibilities, not life itself. He found this motto deeply meaningful and motivating.

The energy and punctuality of the senior dancers left a strong impression on Soparrkar. They consistently arrived early for practice sessions, demonstrating remarkable enthusiasm. This dedication taught him valuable lessons about time management and passion. The festival marks a milestone as 45 senior citizens perform for the first time in its 25-year history.

Soparrkar has worked with stars like Priyanka Chopra, Hrithik Roshan, and Aishwarya Rai in films such as '7 Khoon Maaf' and 'Kites'. He described them as delightful to work with. Aishwarya Rai impressed him with her intelligence and dynamic presence. Hrithik Roshan's dancing skills set high standards for choreography. Priyanka Chopra is seen as an institution to learn from.

Hollywood vs Bollywood Professionalism

When comparing Hollywood and Bollywood professionalism, Soparrkar noted that both industries have professional stars. However, he believes Hollywood offers better work ethics and conditions, especially regarding overtime pay.

Soparrkar expressed concerns about dance reality shows prioritising TRP ratings over genuine dance talent. He feels these shows have become more comedic than artistic. According to him, true dance involves body movements and expressions rather than acrobatics or gymnastics.

"I honestly believe that reality shows are not real," he stated. "The show might look grand... but there is a comedy show going on in between; the dance is lost." Soparrkar no longer watches these shows due to their lack of focus on authentic dance.

The collaboration at Kala Ghoda Art Festival highlights the potential of seniors in performing arts. It challenges stereotypes about ageing while celebrating creativity and passion among older adults. This initiative aligns with GenS Life's mission to empower seniors to live fulfilling lives beyond retirement.