Toss up: Zahid Hassan

Dance guru Zahid Hassan talks about his loves, passions, heroes and how he could de-stress Altaf Bhai through dance!

1. Name a celebrity that you would like to choreograph?

Deepika Padukone. Her body language is perfect. I like her a lot because I think in everyway she is the perfect girl. I’m a perfectionist, I like perfect things and she’s the one person that comes to mind when I think of a complete artist.



2. What song is stuck in your head right now?

‘Deewani Mastani’, from the movie Bajirao Mastani. I love that song, it’s sung so beautifully.

3. Who is your favorite actor or actress? And why?

Rekha and Amitabh Bachan. I think they are the only ones in the industry who have maintained their star power, for as long as they have.



4. What tea do you drink?

I like pathan gava. The only chai that I drink are the ones from dhabas. There is nothing like a nice cup of authentic Quetta kava from a dhaba.



5. What shampoo do you use?

I use Sunsilk shampoo.

6. What toothpaste do you use?

Colgate.



7. If you had to be trapped in a TV show or movie, which would you choose?

It would have to be a movie that is dance related, so for this reason I would say a movie like ABCD or ABCD 2.



8. If you could wake up tomorrow in the body of someone else, who would you pick and what would you do?

Even though I am very grateful and content with myself, I would say, Michael Jackson. He was so iconic in his life, and even when he died, the whole world remembered him. If I woke up as Michael Jackson, I would devote my life to philanthropy and live a simple life.

9. In your opinion, what’s the most iconic dance step?

My favourite dance step is from a song that I choreographed myself called ‘Balle Balle’, in the movie Bin Roye. Mahira Khan performed it so well. I really like her work.



10. If not a choreographer, what would you pick a career in?

I can’t imagine a life without dancing, but if I weren’t a dancer then I would be a writer.



11. Share a funny story about the most difficult person you had to choreograph.

I was once asked to come and train a British man living in London, how to dance for one month. There was a huge language barrier, so we had no way to actually communicate with each other. However, it was a lot of fun, and we had a great time working together. Even though it was a whirlwind of confusion, at the end of the month he said to me ‘you’re the best!’

12. What’s the funniest joke you have ever told, or heard?

Meeraji is the funniest! Everything she says is hilarious. If I ever want to cheer myself up for whatever reason, I’ll just listen to her interviews or look at her videos.



13. What quality or trait stands out the most the first time you meet someone?

The first time people meet me they usually always say that I’m very talented and smart. I love to hear this, because this is my motivation and what makes me want to work harder.



 

14. How many weddings do you choreograph a year?

There are a lot of wedding in a year. I would say on average about 30-35 weddings. This includes weddings outside of Karachi too. I do travel to other parts of Pakistan and even internationally, to choreograph weddings.