Interview: Sekhar Master

Sekhar Master in this interview talks about his journey in Tollywood, with emphasis on the experience of working on the soon-to-be-released 'Vaisakham'.  He is currently doing 'Rangasthalam:1985' and 'Jai Lava Kusa'.

Excerpts:

Journey so far:

I hail from Vijayawada and came to Hyderabad in 1996.  I started off working with Rakesh Master as an assistant.  I turned into a choreographer 9 years ago.  I have choreographed about 400-500 songs so far.  It was after the song 'Idhi Nijame' in Sudheer Babu's 'SMS' that my fame grew.  I then got the opportunity to choreograph the title track in 'Julayi'.  I later got to do films like 'Badshah'.  'Pakka Local' in 'Janatha Garage' was my me.  I choreographed two songs in 'Khaidi No. 150'.  It was I did 'Seeti Maar' song in 'DJ'.

Those big awards:

I received my first Filmfare Award for the song 'Top Lechipoddi'.  The 'Mega Meter' song in 'Bruce Lee' fetched me my second Filmfare.  'Apple Beauty' in 'Janatha Garage' gave me my third Filmfare.  'Julayi' fetched me SIIMA Award.

An uncompromising director:

I had always wanted to work with director Jaya garu, but couldn't.  She has got a very good sense of music.  I have choreographed all the songs in 'Vaisakham'.  Each song is quite distinct.  Even though Harish and Avantika are new, they have done a very good job.

What makes 'Vaisakham' songs unique:

We shot in Kazaksthan, where no Telugu film was ever shot.  'Bhanumathi', 'Come On Come On Country Chilaka', 'Daggariki Ravoddu' were shot there in -5 degree celsius climate.  It's not easy to dance in such weather.  Since they had rehearsed their steps, they didn't go wrong.

Jaya garu didn't compromise anywhere.  She took care of everything.  We selected the best dancers in Kazaksthan through auditions.  The director gave me complete freedom.  It gave me immense satisfaction to work with her.  It's because the music in her movies is good, one likes to team up with her.

The rising awareness:

People's awareness about dancing has gone up in recent years.  That's why it's important to maintain quality by doing thorough homework.

Directing Chiranjeevi himself:

I grew up admiring Chiranjeevi garu's dance since childhood.  It's great that I got to choreograph him in 'Khaidi No. 150'.  'Mi Mi Mimmimi' was done first and then 'Ammadu Let's Do Kummudu'.  He told me he will follow my instructions, but didn't give any suggestions.