Saturday, January 3, 2009

When Nikhil Advani got confused with CC2C's action choreography



January 3, 2009

There is an interesting story that goes behind how Nikhil Advani worked with Chinese action director Huen Chiu Ku in CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA. A film maker who is used to being intimate with every aspect of his films, whether it is costumes, music, lighting scheme or shot execution, it took some time for Nikhil to get used to Huen Chiu Ku's (also known as Dee Dee) working style.

Says Nikhil, 'There was no shot breakdown! Dee Dee's style was truly unorthodox and it took some time getting used to it. Initially I would be on the set, wondering what Dee Dee would cook up next! However, the unique blend of intense preparation and Dee Dee's whirlwind improvisation worked perfectly for the action and the humour.'

It was Rohan Sippy who signed Dee Dee, a Kungfu action director, during his trip to China. As per him, Dee brought to the film the kind of action they were looking for; at times raw and comic, yet smooth and lyrical when needed.

In the stunt business for 27 years, Dee Dee has worked as part of acclaimed action director Yuen Woo Ping's team since 1991 and has collaborated with Jet Li on most of his films.