We learn in Eternals that Kingo has been a Bollywood star for decades and that opens the door to future movies possibly revisiting his past; is there a particular Bollywood era you’d like to choreograph another dance scene for should that happen?
You have read my mind! I would love that. I just think there are so many eras in Bollywood that could be visited. This is why I said, when we opened the door, there’s just so much more that could be done. I think people are very quick to say, ‘It could have been like this’ or ‘It could have been like that,’ but maybe these decisions were made very mindfully, and that’s just how we wanted Kingo to be introduced in this way so I think there’s definitely scope to do a Bollywood action sequence. There are a lot of Bollywood films with motorbikes and leathers…I would just love to do see Kingo do all sorts [Laughs].
It sounds like you had a lot of fun working on the film, but in terms of challenges, what were some of the biggest you faced?
Honestly, to make sure that fifty dancers showed up and knew what they were doing. The mass coordination too. Also, Kumail’s bewilderment that we’d been doing it on our own for three months, learning it with him and me, and then we literally had two or three days with the fifty for him to feel, ‘Okay, this is my supporting cast. It’s me now and fifty dancers.’ When he saw the level they were at, it made him stop and go, ‘Oh God, this is really happening.’ That was a reset moment for him.
Knowing Kumail is a big Hollywood star and that these Marvel movies are so huge, did that add to the pressure or were you already fully invested by that point?
I honestly didn’t feel the pressure until after the film came out. You know, it goes to critics, people share what they feel about the movie before it’s even gone out to the audience, and so I don’t think I ever go into anything thinking about the pressure. Sometimes, it’s more just thinking about the opinions of the actual community that are living and breathing die-hard Bollywood fans. Like I said, there are so many different parts of Bollywood we can represent, and this does not represent the whole culture. Even scenes like the wedding and other bits where they might have referenced culture…no reference in one movie can give you the whole vision of a culture. I definitely think people need to take these movies with a pinch of salt, especially when the character is so funny. His character is hilarious from start to finish.
Finally, a Bollywood sequence like this could have potentially been used in many different Marvel projects, but Eternals is a very diverse movie and handles that in a respectful, meaningful way. What did it mean to be part of a movie like this one and to see the way people responded to that sort of representation?
I think Eternals was the perfect film. The name, the fact it was almost a groundbreaking moment and to have your stamp on it…I will remember this for all of time. I think it was a defining moment in my career. It was definitely made more special by Kumail inviting me so much into the process of this movie and I think it was the right film and right decision to find a way to bring Bollywood dance into the MCU.
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