The film Rangeela, starring Aamir Khan, Jackie Shroff and Urmila Matondkar, is returning to theatres this Friday to mark 30 years since its release. Directed by Ram Gopal Varma, the movie became a major milestone for choreographer Ahmed Khan. In an exclusive conversation, Ahmed shared memories of how the director placed complete trust in him despite his young age. The film's songs, including the title track and Hey Rama, changed how mainstream Hindi cinema approached song choreography and visuals. AR Rahman composed his first Hindi music score for this project, which was ahead of its time. Ahmed explained that the youth of that era were rebellious and ready for something fresh. Ram Gopal Varma encouraged him to break away from traditional patterns and take creative risks. The collaboration resulted in memorable sequences that continue to be loved by audiences. Rangeela will re-release on November 28.
Breaking Traditional Song Formats with Fresh Ideas
Ahmed Khan remembered that mainstream songs in those days were shot in a repetitive and uninspiring manner. The younger generation was changing and becoming more open to the world, though terms like millennial or Gen-Z did not exist then. When Ram Gopal Varma approached him, Ahmed was uncertain why the director chose someone so inexperienced. Varma told him clearly that he wanted wild thoughts and freedom, not the work of regular dance directors. He encouraged Ahmed to make mistakes and avoid following established patterns. The director said that any defect would appear as an effect. This gave Ahmed the confidence to experiment without fear of damaging a reputation he had not yet built.
Director's Support and Innovative Choreography Choices
Ram Gopal Varma reassured Ahmed that any blame for creative risks would fall on the director himself, not the young choreographer. For the title sequence, Ahmed brought in people who typically never danced, including karate practitioners and men from the Army. This unusual choice symbolized how Urmila's character brought everything together. For Hey Rama, the song was presented as a passionate fight between a man and a woman. Ahmed introduced slow-motion visuals for Pyaar Ye Jaane Kaisa He, even though lip sync became challenging. Each song required careful selection and hard work. Ahmed credited the success to teamwork and the mutual belief between him and the director, which created memorable dance sequences.
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