Hi Tea with Sima Ved Are you ready for a stir?

He was born Ramesh Gopi but we now know him as Remo, or rather Remo Sir from his Dance India Dance fame. He has worn many hats, tried his hand at different things – dancing, acting, directing and choreography.

But what finally stuck was his love for dance and his passion for B-boying. A humble human who has no airs about new found success. Remo has not forgotten his days of dancing to improve. He would take his old and antique radio set to the beach and practise religiously. Coming to Mumbai was the only way to find success and so soon after he finished school – he arrived. His first big break came when did a part in a song in Ram Gopal Varma’s Rangeela. Having a close up and opening shot in 70mm screen in Hindi film was a very big thing – he says it made his career!

Remo assisted dance directors like Ahmad Khan, he worked steadily to grow independent and never left his ground. Success did not come easy to him so he knows the worth of it. He has not only managed to do work in Bollywood but is also working international projects and artists now.

His most memorable has been the choreography with Jermaine, singer and elder brother of Michael Jackson. He shot a song titled “Go to Mumbai City” in India with Pakistani singer Adnan Sami. The song is Jermaine’s tribute to all Jackson fans in the country and rightfully Remo was on the team. “It was always my dream to meet my idol. But the wish remained unfulfilled due to MJ’s death. I did make Jermaine dance to my steps. It was exciting nonetheless!”

A man who takes a lot of joy from the little things – Remo has often been shell shocked on the sets of DID. He was once surprised when his sons visited the stage as his fans and on his last birthday, the grand master Mithun Chakraborthy gave him the biggest blessing of all when his parents were welcomed on the show. Remo comes about as a very down to the Earth and simple person who has not lost touch with his roots. He carries a hurt in the corner of his heart that he may have neglected his family in the process of find his footing in the industry. They however are proud of him.

Remo, who has done the choreography for films like Wake up Sid, Do Knot Disturb and London Dreams among others, turned director with Bengali film Lal Paharer Katha. He now plans to wield the megaphone for the Bollywood film Faltu.