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Star maker extraordinaire

Eco-friendly Prasad Bidappa

In a small hall complete with a practice ramp and professional lights, a bunch of teenagers walks awkwardly to blaring music and loud instructions. “Turn left. Look stylish. Flaunt your attitude while walking.” They’re being taught how to emote confidently and it’s the familiar voice of fashion guru Prasad Bidappa behind the microphone. The choreographer, who has churned out star models is at ease working with the younger brigade.

“I love working with fresh faces and GenNext also connects well with me. They know I am very approachable Moreover, I have children who are 21 and 17. So, I know their mood swings,” he says.

“These boys and girls are amateurs and need proper guidance and encouragement. We have to mould them,” he adds.

Prasad’s belief comes from his experience. His predictions have all come true, and the list is impressive:

Super model Noyanika chatterjee, model-turned-actors Lara Dutta, Dino Morea and even the current flavour of the season, Deepika Padukone.

“Deepika was just 12 when she accompanied her father Prakash Padukone. She was a gawky and reserved teenager but I knew she would soon be a stunner. I wanted her to finish school before I began grooming her. Now, she is one of the glamorous stars,” he says, adding: “When you look at someone, you know whether he/she is star material or not. Even when I met Anushka Sharma, I knew she had the potential.” he asserts.

The beauty is now making her debut with none other than Shah Rukh Khan in “Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.” While Indian designers are dreaming of showing in the glitzy ramps of Paris and Milan, the choreographer wants to make Indian fashion global.

“A lot of designers export ghagras and saris and cater to Indians living abroad. But how many of our designers make clothes that are not merely restricted to wedding collections, and attempt to bring out their innate Indianness. But, you have designers such as Abraham and Thakore who are addressing the issue,” he states.

Prasad’s schedule is also tied up with 2009 fashion week to be held in Bangalore and also programmes in Dubai and Colombo.

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