By Himanshu Guru: ABCD – Any Body Can Dance, India’s first 3D dance film is for those who love to dance. As the title says, anybody can dance; the dance master is here to teach how to shake your legs. How a dance film can be imagined without dance icon Prabhu Deva? He is the lead protagonist, who struggles against all odds to prove his talent.
The film is directed by Remo Fernandez, the director of F.A.L.T.U. Even he has made some documentaries on ‘Chhau’ Dance. However, the story resembles ‘Step Up’ series of Hollywood.
Story: Vishnu (Prabhu Deva) walks out of the dance group, co-founded by him. He leaves that group after his business partner Jehangir Khan (Kay Kay Menon) ropes in an international dance trainer. He develops frustration and decides to leave the city and return to his homeland Chennai. While thinking to wind up everything, he comes across with two dance groups that hail from slum area. He finds the groups as the power houses of raw talent from where he again thinks to begin his life. He vows to prepare the students for the dance show Dance Dil Se.
The story of ABCD is simple and predictable but it is not the USP. The film, which showcases a series of outstanding dance performances, story should not be given the first priority. If you want both story and dance, it is not your cup of tea. The film highlights the steps of the dance and Prabhu Deva’s passion for dance. The dance performances by Prabhu Deva, Ganesh Acharya, Dharmesh and others are outstanding. This is completely based on dance that comes from joy, depression and anger.
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Prabhu Deva is expectedly incomparable in dance. He also manages the dramatic scenes with care. Kay Kay Menon, who is seen in negative role in the film, his acting looks natural.
The film also boasts of having emotional, melodious and light songs, which can change your mood time to time. The film could not be given a big thumbs up, but it is superb for a section of audience, who want to pursue their career in dance.
Director – Remo D’Souza
Starring – Kay Kay Menon, Prabhu Deva, Salman Yusuf Khan, Lauren Gottlieb, Prince Gupta, Dharmesh Yelande and Mayuresh Wadkar
Our rating – *** and half stars out of five.