ABCD 2

RELIANCE HOME VIDEO (2 discs), Rs 399

Cast: Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, Prabhudheva, Lauren Gottlieb
Director and Choreographer: Remo D’souza

It would be an understatement to say that no Bollywood film is ever complete without its share of song and dance. Despite dance being an integral part of any Bollywood film, there have been very few films featuring dance as the central theme. Reality dance shows are the in thing these days, with participants making a Mickey out of themselves on national television. No doubt we have to give credit to the few who are exceptionally good and worthy of the title bestowed on them.

Ace choreographer-turned-director Remo D’souza brings the ABCD — Any Body Can Dance (2013) magic back in a new installment, with only Prabhu Deva reprising his role of dance guru Vishnu. ABCD 2 is a thorough entertainer for dance freaks; the dancing is brilliant and is sure to get your heart pumping and your body grooving even while seated. The only downer is the length of the film (almost three hours) that might just put you off.

The film starts off with Suresh aka Suru (Varun Dhawan) and his childhood friend and now girlfriend Vinnie’s (Shraddha Kapoor) dance troupe Mumbai Stunners being disqualified in the dance competition Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin as the judges feel the troupe has blatantly copied the dance steps and moves of a Philippine dance group. In no time, Mumbai Stunners get tagged as ‘cheaters’ everywhere they go. Their hopes of one day participating in an ultra-prestigious global dance competition in Las Vegas are dashed. Suru’s job as a steward in a restaurant gets him nowhere, until he bumps into an ‘alcoholic’ Vishnu (Prabhudeva). An impromptu performance at the restaurant by Vishnu leaves Suru bewildered. Suru considers Vishnu as his newfound guru and his sole ray of hope to take his dance team to Las Vegas. After much persuasion, Vishnu finally decides to choreograph Mumbai Stunners.

Does Vishnu’s intense training help Mumbai Stunners win the national finals and find their way to Las Vegas? Can they overcome the tragedy that befalls them? What secret is Vishnu hiding?

Remo has assembled perhaps the finest bunch of dancer-actors — Raghu (Raghav Juyal), Vernon (Sushant Pujari) and a host of other talented dancers, some of whom we’ve seen on several television shows.

The film’s music impresses with a couple of hum-worthy songs like Bezuban Phir Se, Chumar and Sun Saathiya. Prabhudeva’s superb dance moves on Happy Hour Hai are notorious, while Lauren Gottlieb gives an electrifying performance on If You Hold My Hand. The mesmerizing hip-hop tribute to Lord Ganesha on Hey Ganaraya towards the end is beautifully choreographed.