Athiya Shetty's big dance item in Hero

14 Aug 2014

Not many know this as yet but Suniel Shetty, known for his two-left feet and reputed to be a complete non-dancer, has a daughter who dances like a dream.

Yes, Athiya Shetty, daughter of one Bollywood's most renowned non-dancers, is a fabulous on the floor, so much so that in her debut film Hero, a special dance number is being created for Athiya to dance to.

The number composed by Sachin-Jigar would be shot with over 200 chorus dancers. Athiya Shetty would be seen in a fusion avatar dancing to both Western and Hindustani classical steps. Apparently, Athiya's big song-and-dance would convey the grandiosity and glamour of Madhuri Dixit's 'Ek do teen' in Tezaab and Sridevi's Hawa Hawaai in Mr. India . According to sources, the number has been completely revamped keeping in mind, Athiya's newly-discovered dancing skills. Says a source from the team, "This dance number was earlier meant to spotlight both Athiya and her co-star Sooraj Pancholi's dancing skills. But then our director Nikhil Advani realized how capable Athiya was of carrying off an entire song-and-dance." Now Athiya Shetty would take centre stage in the number while Sooraj would just join her for a bit of foot-shaking. Says the source, "It's been conceived as a grand stage show in the film. Athiya will be dancing on stage with hundreds of chorus dancers. She will take at least 3 weeks to rehearse her moves." Interestingly, the song and the choreographer have also been changed in accordance with the new Athiya-centric profile of the number.

Says the source, "Composers Sachin-Jigar have been told to come up with a new song, the dance track they composed not being suited to the way the dance has now been conceived. The choreographer is yet to be decided. Director Nikhil Advani wants someone untried in Bollywood to choreograph this number so that there would be freshness in the moves, like when Shiamak Davar did Karisma Kapoor's 'Le Gayi Le Gayi' in Dil Toh Pagal Hai ." One thing is for sure. This dance number in Hero would ensure Athiya Shetty gets a spectacular entry into Bollywood.