Elaborate dance routines have been integral in making Mumbai’s film industry the most prolific in the world. Laura Dozier works up a sweat as she finds out what it takes to move to the Bollywood beat

Walking into the Rupee Room on Saturday morning five minutes late, I felt unprepared and scattered. Like the nightmare cliché, I had shown up to a test metaphorically naked, and everyone seemed to be staring at me. It’s no wonder I stood out – I was the only non-Indian among a crowd of more than 40 people who’d turned up to attend a three-week Bollywood dance class taught by celebrity choreographer/instructor Toby Fernandes. 

Since winning India’s version of Dancing with the Stars (Jhalak DikhlaJaa) in 2006, Fernandes has been touring the world performing, and when he has time to teach a class, eager disciples show up in droves. In retrospect, this might explain the cold shoulder at the door – the class was full and not particularly cheap ($500 for three weeks, six days a week). Plenty of unlucky sods still wanted a glimpse of Fernandes at work, and there wasn’t a whole lot of space for freeloading riff-raff (that’s me!). 

I sized up my fellow dancers – of varying ages and experience levels– telling myself I probably wouldn’t be the worst person there; denial can be a comforting friend. After arigorous warm-up, the class focused on polishing up disco- and hip hop inspiredroutines learned earlier that week – lessons I had missed. The disco routine included classic ’70s steps and tunes that could have beenstraight out of Saturday Night Fever, infused with traditional Indian beats and moves. I was a mess of flailing arms, hips jerking awkwardly, always a few steps behind, and to my horror, a video camera captured my clumsiness for posterity. 

The situation got a little better at my second class, though I had yet to master the art of jiggling so many body parts at once. Gyrating hips and chest shaking seemed to be standard components of the routines, which ranged from Indian folk steps to playful takes on Western dance. My inner (and outer) white girl screamed quietly as we bounced our shoulders to the beat, dipped our hips seductively, thrust raised arms forward, right then left, while taking the appropriate number of steps forward and back. My head spun, and later my muscles actually ached. 

But would I stop there? No way. I’d developed a taste for Bollywood dancing, and the next stop was BollyBeatz,a studio that offers an aerobics class– one hour of non-stop, sweat-inducing routines. Rather than learning the sequences slowly without music, the steps are repeated at full speed for about ten beats – just enough time for me to catch on – and then a variationis added. My advice? Try not to look at yourself in the mirror and just keep moving.The class had a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere thanks to enthusiastic BollyBeatz founder Nidhi Mehta and her eclectic group of participants: teenagers, men and women, Indians, non-Indian Asians and Caucasians. With its loud, pumping music and quick steps, it felt like a real workout; and it was fun, no less.

With my growing repertoire of moves, it was time to test my skills in public. Fernandes was performing at the Rupee Room along with members of the class, so I rallied a group of friends to go dancing. We watched him burn up an electrifying routine– in white sequined pants. When the dance floor opened up, everyone joined in; I even sang along to a song from Om Shanti Om, a Bollywood film I’d seen as self-imposed homework for class. I’m proud to say this fish was no longer out of water. 

‘Bollywood dance is great at fusing styles, adapting moves from salsa, hip hop, belly dancing, anything,’ says Mehta. And this inclusive, flexible quality is precisely what makes it irresistible to so many people– prompting even an ang moh like me to move to the beat until the early morning hours. 

Classes are offered at BollyBeatz (#01-03/04 ClaymorePoint, 8 Claymore Hill; 8198 8457, www.bollybeatz.com). TOS readers getone free drop-in class with mention of this article. 

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Step it up 
Eager to get your feet moving and your heart racing? 
Take a dance class at: 
Attitude Dance Studio (#02-01,70 Palmer Rd; 6226 2381, www.asiasalsa.com); JJSalsaRengue (2nd Floor, 76A Peck Seah St; 62272460, www.jjsalsarengue.com); and the YMCA (1 Orchard Rd; 6586 2255, www.ymca.org.sg). 
Show off your moves at:
The Rupee Room (#01-15 The Foundry,Clarke Quay, 3B River Valley Rd; 6334 2455); Shisha Lounge Bar (#02-04 Clarke Quay, 3A River Valley Rd; 6333 4664). 
Keep an eye out for:
The Unforgettable Tour This travelling show features some of Bollywood’shottest stars, including super-couple Abhishek Bachchan andAishwarya Rai Bachchan, Preity Zinta and veteran Amitabh Bachchan.And it’s rumoured to be making a stop in Singapore. 
Go to www.theunforgettabletour.com for updates.