Ken Ghosh clears the air around ‘Chance Pe Dance’

You choose dance as the backdrop for your film because Kapoor is good at it?

We had the story in place — an aspiring actor’s struggle — but as we etched out the character,we decided to define him as a good dancer since Shahid is talented at that. Also,it was turning out to be a slice of life from Shahid and my struggles in the industry,so it blended well with the story.

You share with us certain instances you have borrowed from your real lives?

That Shahid and I started out our careers together bonds us. We have dreamt together,seen ups and downs and been there for each other. So when I started writing the film,such instances naturally flowed in; I realised it later. In the film,at a point Shahid meets a director who tells him that he has been chosen to do his film. That scene has been enacted exactly how it happened when Shahid and I first met and I signed him on. While filming the scene I was quite tempted to play that director.

Did you replace Jiah Khan with Genelia halfway through the film?

We had started out making a very different kind of film and Jiah suited the character then. But later,we realised we needed to add another layer to the story,which is when the girl’s character evolved. Jiah was not suited for the same so we signed Genelia on. It sounds like a terrible act but from a filmmaker’s perspective,it doesn’t matter. I’m out to make a good film and there can be no compromises. I could not have gone ahead knowing that I was making a mistake and regretted it on the Friday it releases.

Was the title changed twice?

Star was our working title to carry on with our production work. Yahoo was a suggestion because it is the title of one of the songs in the film. This information leaked out and media picked it up. Since we didn’t have any alternative title,we chose to keep quiet till we had registered one. One of the options was Mauke Pe Chauka because the film is about opportunities. But Chance Pe Dance sounds better.

You also flew down Justin Timberlake’s choreographer Marty Kudelka.

Since the movie uses dance as a backdrop,Shahid suggested the be fresh. So we had Marty choreograph two songs. Marty’s choreography is subtle unlike the energetic dance we are used to. It’s cool and stylish and is all about the attitude.

Genelia has not shown much talent in dancing in her earlier films. To match steps with Kapoor must have been a challenge.

Genelia has great energy and spunk and her expressions are excellent. I knew that even if she doesn’t dance impeccably,she will make up for it with her screen presence. But Genelia underwent rigorous training. For her 45-second opening sequence,she trained for over a week since she plays a choreographer in the film.

On Shahid

•Working with Shahid on three films — Ishq Vishk,Fida and now Chance Pe Dance — has been like working with three different actors. During Ishq Vishk,he was the eager,wide-eyed boy who would go by his gut since he had nothing to lose. By the time we did Fida,he had tasted a bit of success and that made him very calculative. But he made his mistakes and learnt and has now found his space. Today,he understands the nuances of characters and how to approach a scene.

•The change in him as a performer is even bigger. During the first schedule I was shocked at what he is delivering — it was much better than I had imagined or even envisioned. And Shahid caught the look in my eyes and gave a huge smile. He was happy that he could shock me.

•I remember that during Ishq Vishk’s release,stressed,we would drive around the city all night. Once we came across some guys who were putting up the IV posters and we got off to help them out. But today,I am older and he is busier so that won’t happen.

•Shahid and I have always been people with strong beliefs. So back in 2003,when we would discuss and argue about something,he hardly made sense. But today,he knows what he is talking about and is extremely valuable with inputs as an actor. Sadly,many perceive the same as interference. Since Shahid and I are friends,we are very casual about the way we talk or even argue.