Vijay Ganguly on Akshay Kumar’s insane tractor jump, Amitabh Bachchan’s NFT joke and more | Exclusive

New Delhi: From making viral dance numbers like ‘Chaka Chak’ to seamlessly driving movie plots forward through choreography, Vijay Ganguly is redefining how songs are used in Hindi cinema. Reuniting with filmmaker Aanand L Rai for Nayyi Navelli, the sought-after choreographer opens up in an exclusive conversation with News9 Digital, opens up about his artistic journey, inheriting his father Anil Ganguly’s storytelling, and what it’s really like working with superstars Akshay Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan behind the scenes.

You’ve reunited with Aanand L Rai after Atrangi Re for Nayyi Navelli. How did this one come your way?

Whenever Aanand L Rai sir makes a film and thinks that there’s scope for storytelling through a song, he calls me up. For Nayyi Navelli, Himanshu Sharma (producer) and Balaji Mohan (director), and I sat down together, and they told me the film is quite unusual. When they explained the story, I thought it was damn exciting because it’s not what people might assume—it’s not just some random trope; it’s deeply emotional. I wondered how songs would fit into such a tone, but they told me the songs were already written into the script. It has a distinct South Indian cinematic sensibility where songs are seamlessly woven into the narrative.

The Chaka Chak song from Aanand L Rai’s Atrangi Re put you on the map. How did your association with the filmmaker begin?

Before Atrangi Re, I had done Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan with him. All the songs in that film were story-oriented. For the end credits, the director Hitesh Kewalya and I decided we wanted something that carried the film’s story forward rather than just being a random dance. We used my father’s (Anil Ganguly) iconic song, “Yaar Bina Chain Kahan”.

We built a narrative right into the song reflecting the movie’s plot—the parents opposing the relationship, everything. When Anand sir saw that song, he called me for the very first time. He said, “Bachche, I saw your song and I loved how you used storytelling through choreography. I am definitely calling you for my next film.” Usually, people say they’ll call and never do, but Anand sir actually followed through.

When Atrangi Re was happening, he called me in: “Just come, I want to meet you once.” He made me listen to “Chaka Chak”. He said, “Look, this is a big song and a crucial turning point in the film. A lot of major revelations happen after this song.” He told me that while people were suggesting big names in the industry, he believed I was the only one who could tell his story through the choreography. He told me to go rehearse with Dhanush and show him what I could do first.

I went straight to the rehearsal with my team, put together a section, and called him the same evening: “Sir, I’m ready.” He told me to take my time, but I insisted, “Sir, I’m ready whenever you say.” He replied, “Come tomorrow itself.”

I went the next day, my team performed the choreography, and after watching it, he said, “This is brilliant, you’re doing the song.” That’s how our association started. Whenever a storytelling song comes up, he always calls me because he believes I inherited my father’s knack for telling stories through choreography.

You’re doing Anees Bazmee’s next film starring Akshay Kumar. What’s it like working with Akshay with whom you share a personal bond as well?

I’ve known him since I was very young because my father directed a film with him called Dil Ki Baazi. Rupali ties rakhis to him, so our families are very close. Every time I meet him, he playfully rags me. He remembers when I was a kid and he used to pick me up and throw me into the swimming pool!

Even now, he’ll jokingly pull my leg on set: “What are you making me do? I’ve already done this in 10 movies, give me something fresh! Give me more, more!” He puts me on the spot, and right when I’m stressing out trying to figure it out, he laughs and says, “Relax, I’m just joking!” Working with him brings so much positive pressure.

I don’t think there is anyone quite like Akshay sir. No matter what step you give him, he makes it look convincing and fun. He has done over 200 songs, and regardless of how quirky or unconventional the choreography is, Akshay sir justifies every single step. You enjoy watching it, and it invariably becomes a viral hook step. And nobody can beat his energy!

Recently, we were shooting a scene for Anees Bazmee sir’s film where Akshay sir had to jump down from a tractor. It was quite a high jump. I briefed the steady-cam operator on the framing, and Akshay sir practiced the jump during rehearsals—it looked fine, so we went for the take. But during the actual take, he jumped with so much force that he completely cleared the camera frame! The man is over 55 years old, yet he jumped higher and further than anyone expected, landing way beyond the camera’s view. We were left standing there thinking, “What just happened?!”

Amitabh Bachchan recently celebrated his 84the birthday. You’ve worked with him over the years. What are your memories of working with the legend?

I have worked extensively with Mr. Bachchan. My very first solo day on a set as an assistant choreographer was for the rap song in Bunty Aur Babli. Shiamak Davar couldn’t make it, so I was sent to the set by myself. I was so awestruck seeing Bachchan Sahab that I initially forgot everything, but somehow managed to pull off the song. Over the years, I kept working with him, and we even toured the US together on The Unforgettable Tour, so I got to know Abhishek and the family well.

Recently, while doing an ad film with him, I brought along an old printed photograph of the two of us dancing together from the sets of Bunty Aur Babli. I went up to him and asked, “Sir, I want an autograph on this photo.” He looked at it, completely perplexed, and asked, “Who is this? Whose autograph are you taking this for?” I said, “Sir, it’s for me, that’s me in the photo!”

He looked at it in disbelief and said, “What are you saying, this is you?” When he signed the first photo, I happened to pull out a second copy, and he immediately joked, “What, are you making an NFT out of this?!” I was so surprised! Knowing his age, the fact that he was so clued in to what an NFT is and aware of current tech trends blew my mind.