Remo D'Souza was inspired to pursue dance after seeing music videos and films as a youth in Jamnagar, Gujarat. He struggled after moving to Mumbai with no formal training, living in a chawl and teaching dance classes to make ends meet. His big break came when he started choreographing for Bollywood films. Remo discussed his journey from an unknown dancer to a renowned choreographer and film director, advising youth to follow their passion and work hard.
3. Q.1 Old school and college days of an unknown Remo D'Souza...
A. I studied in Jamnagar, Gujarat. I did my 12th from there and during my HSC
board exam I realized that I don't have any interest in studies. I immediately left
school and landed in Mumbai to struggle.
Q.2 Who was your guru at that time?
A. I did not have any guru because at that time in Jamnagar there was no MTV or
Channel V. I am talking about 1985 to 1992. I loved dance since my early childhood
and used to perform during school functions and all that kind of occasions. But my
craving to learn more about dancing is what brought me to Mumbai.
4. Q.3 why you change your name ?
My real name is Ramesh Gopi. Though I love the name that my parents kept for
me, I also like the name Remo a lot. Not to mention, I even took permission from
my parents before I changed my name from Ramesh to Remo,"
Q.4 How were you inspired to leave your place?
A. It was only dance. Whatever I have learnt about dance until now is by my own.
I haven't taken any professional training. I learnt it by watching movies, music
videos etc. I would rather say Michael Jackson is my guru as I used to copy his steps
watching him dancing in his videos and then choreograph my own steps by adding
something extra.
5. Q.5 Your journey from Jamnagar to Mumbai...
A. Like everyone, I, too, came here with lot of expectations of becoming a star. One
of my friends came to pick me up when I landed in Nana Chowk. He used to live in
Chawl and my first reaction was 'Oh my God where have I landed!' Reaching Bombay
and residing in a Chawl was like the biggest shock in my life. I stayed there for two
days and then went to Mira Road to stay at my friend's brother's flat from where I
started my struggling period.
Q.6 Please tell us about your struggling days...
A. At the beginning I had no source of income and consider myself lucky to be staying
with a very sweet family. I didn't have any money to pay them initially and they, too,
didn't ask for it. After few days I opened a dance class by the name of Super Brats at
Churni Road. I along with three of my friends soon opened two more branches of the
institute, one in Andheri and other in Borivali. I used to travel to Churni Road in the
morning, take the class there, come to Borivili for the second class and then catch the
train to come to Andheri for my last class before I can go home.
6. Q.7 Experience of your first day at shooting as an independent
choreographer...
A. After choreographing so many music videos, I was no new face in this industry. But I
was a bit tensed as because it was my first film. At the same time I felt very proud, too.
Q.8 What is the future of Remo, the choreographer and Remo, the
human being?
A. If you are good as a human being then you get everything. I would just like to
work on films in the future. My recent projects as choreographer includes films
like Love Story 2050, Kidnap, Bhootnath, Just Gone, De Taali and Rock On,faltu,
ABCD.
Q.9 Which films makes you as a director ?
I make a films as director is FALTU, ABCD,and now to on working film is
ABCD2
7. Q.10 What is your message and advice for the future any
suggestions for youth?
My advice to youth is
Just listen your heart and do your work best, because we have some quality,
which need others, and other’s quality need by us.