Whenever I am asked to pay a visit to any of the Arab countries, one thing that comes to my mind is the myriad restrictions on women with regard to clothing, and a very different lifestyle from Europe

There are some people we meet by chance and they remain in our lives forever; just like the popular saying goes, “People meet if they have to, God makes people meet”. For me, this did come true, but I only came to realise it recently after almost 20 years.

In the entertainment world, it is said that one success gets you another, one hit song gets you another hit song and one connection leads to another bigger connection.

Bollywood has truly gone global, what with Indian or films based in India winning at international award ceremonies each year. Be it the Oscars or the Cannes films festival, Bollywood has arrived.

Each year on the occasion of International Dance Day, I do a grand show where my students from all over India meet to witness Jesse Randhawa and me dance, and are also part of the show.

I have been doing back-to-back shows ever since I was 16-years-old. Quite often my students and admirers ask me the preparation that goes into the one such performance.

In my column last week, I had written about my trip as the Indian representative of dance at the prestigious 66th Cannes Film Festival red carpet. Indeed the entire experience of walking the red carpet not just for one night but for four nights with my partner Jesse Randhawa was a dream come true and a big honour as well.

The month of May is when Bollywood rules the Cannes red carpet every year.

The month of May is when Bollywood rules the Cannes red carpet every year. My partner Jesse Randhawa and I were the few lucky ones to be invited for the 66th Cannes International Film Festival as this year was the big 100 years of Bollywood celebration at Cannes.

Kathak dance shows are common in India; many dance teachers and gurus have had performances of their style for decades now.