Interview | Choreographer Sreejith P: I am grateful, happy and proud about ‘Moonwalk’

When Moonwalk released in theatres, the most emotional of the film’s crew at the first day, first show, was Sreejith P, the choreographer of the movie. “Even though I had watched the final product, sitting there with the audience reminded me of the hard work and struggle that went into making it. I could not hold back my tears,” says the 53-year-old, also known as Sreejith P Dazzlers, as he runs the dance studio, Dazzlers, in Kochi.

The film, he says, is special for him on many counts. Directed by ad filmmaker Vinod AK, it tells the stories of a few youngsters in Thiruvananthapuram of the late ‘80s in love with breakdance and how they overcome obstacles to pursue their passion. The narrative is inspired by the real-life stories of many breakdancers of yesteryear from across Kerala, one of them being Sreejith himself.

“I entered the field at a time when the dance scene in Kerala was on the cusp of change. Breakdance was nearing its sunset years, and cinematic dance moves were taking over. I could learn both, and that helped while working in the movie,” says Sreejith, who hails from Tripunithura near Kochi.

Sreejith adds that he had once planned to make a movie on breakdance. “I faced many difficulties to learn breakdance and wanted to tell that story through a movie. But back then I was not confident enough to make one. So when Vinod discussed the subject with me, I was excited to be part of it. We had worked on a few advertisements by then. He wanted to know my experiences, which I shared with him. I was happy that he was the one doing it because he has been a pathbreaker in the advertising industry. I knew that he could bring out the best in the artistes.”

Moonwalk, he says, was no easy assignment. The actors, all new faces, despite being good dancers, were not familiar with the breakdance era. “The narrative is such that these characters have only basic information about the style and know only a few moves, like mirror effect, arm wave, rope move, popping etc. It was difficult to mount a movie on just these steps. So I designed it in such a way that they gradually master the style and their skill peaks at the climax. That had to be done without making it boring.”

The first step was making them develop the physique and the body control of a breaker. “After training them to be proficient for the climax, we went to the beginning where they had to dance like beginners. It was difficult to show this variation.”

Sreejith’s introduction to breakdance happened when he was in Class 10, when he spent his vacation at a relative’s house at Thoppumpady in Kochi. “When I watched a duo performing it at a church festival I immediately fell in love with the music, the steps, the costumes etc. I met the dancer backstage, picked up some moves from him and showed off these steps in school.”

He remembers the struggles behind choreographing a routine then. “The first task was to find the cassette because I knew only the tune and not the lyrics. I went to music shops and sang the tune so that they recognised the song. Finally I found the cassette I was looking for. The bigger problem was getting hold of a tape recorder. So I pleaded with my family and even went on hunger strike until I got one. That was the level of craze I had for breakdance.”

Later he trained in breakdance at Cochin Kalabhavan, the centre for learning performing arts in Kochi, under Johnson Master. “I also attended a course by Attakkalari in Bengaluru, which inspired me to think of creating concept-based movements.”

Moonwalk is set in Thiruvananthapuram, which had a breakdance style different from that of Kochi. Even then Sreejith was chosen as choreographer because he is familiar with Thiruvananthapuram style as well.

“The Kochi style was high on energy with heavy, power-packed moves, and elements of rock n’ roll and disco, whereas in Thiruvananthapuram it was more stylish with focus on body postures and perfection. They had more knowledge as well, thanks to the reference material they had, that is video cassettes. Also, while Kochi dancers danced in flashy, glittery costumes, those of Thiruvananthapuram kept it formal.”

He had picked up Thiruvananthapuram style from Footloosers, the pioneering breakdance academy in the State. “We were fans of the vibe they created by blending dance and acrobatics. On Friday evenings, a group of us from Kochi would head to Thiruvananthapuram on our bikes. We practiced at Footloosers’ studio or at Shanghumugham beach and returned on Sunday evening.”

Fact file

After making his debut in Malayalam cinema with Cinema Company (2012), Sreejith won the Kerala State Award for Best Choreography for Jo and the Boy (2015). He has choreographed for over 50 movies in Malayalam. He worked with AR Rahman on the video of the song ‘Hope’ from Aadujeevitham last year.

Besides Dazzlers, Sreejith runs Boho Space in Tripunithura, a place meant for performance artistes who are looking for a space to work on their art. It is here that he work on his new thematic productions.

Moonwalk has rejuvenated the breakdance community in Kerala, he feels. “They saw themselves in the characters. We dancers have a special connection with our shoes. I still remember how happy I was when I saw a white Action shoe for the first time. Sura (Sibi Kuttappan), a character in the movie, feels immense joy when he gets such a shoe. While watching that scene at the theatre, we dancers looked at each other.”

The film, he says, will remain a cherished chapter of his career. “I am grateful, happy and proud. Back then we did not have many stages to perform. We were regulars at houses where weddings took place. That was where even non-dancers used to shake a leg. They also could relate to the movie.”

Sreejith adds that the breakdance era has not ended. “Many dancers disappeared from the scene and took up jobs forced by their circumstances. When these dancers were celebrated during the release of Moonwalk, the general tone was that there is no future for the style. But this will survive just like how theatre stood tall amidst the onslaught of several other forms of entertainment.”

Sreejith says as a choreographer he is on an experimental journey at his venture, Boho Space. “The attempt is to arrive at new concepts and movements. I am working on a project involving Virtual Reality. There is another production on the ‘use and throw’ concept, which, unfortunately, has seeped into relationships as well. I also plan to develop packages for those are emotionally stressed as dance relaxes you, makes you happy.”

Meanwhile, he has also plans to direct a movie. “Now I have gained confidence to approach the craft. So I might give a try in future.”

Moonwalk is streaming on JioHotstar.