Choreographer Terence Lewis talks about his experience of working with Saurabh Prajapati, the youngest choreographer and director of showbiz. The two have collaborated for the music video Shaidayee, where Terence has sung and acted as well.
“I’ve known Saurabh since he was 16 years old and had stepped foot in Mumbai for the first time. He was so hungry to learn, grow and excel that he was one of the finest students from the Diploma In Dance course. The fire and infectious energy he has is unparalleled and the best thing is that he channels One of the energies in a very productive manner,” he says, adding, “It was absolutely fabulous working with him, we are a team. There is great love and respect for each other and value the input and experience we each contribute to the big picture or project at hand. He is 25 years younger than me but when it comes to his work and getting things done on set, he is the captain of the ship.”
Ask him what he feels is Saurabh’s USP and he says, “Saurabh is blessed with abundant energy and it’s harnessed and helmed together by his work and creative passion. I see parts of my younger self in him and mentor him from time to time. His biggest strength is that he has high standards for himself and has a keen eye for details and wants to be the best. It's incredible how at such a young age he has achieved so much. He has an appetite for adventure that allows him to take risks and he doesn’t fear failure. He has been one of the reasons I have forayed into music videos and was responsible for pushing me to record Shaidayee! At work we are synergistic and in the personal space, I guide him from time to time and have developed a beautiful bond of mutual respect and fondness.”
While Terence is not big on giving advice, there is something that he always tells Saurabh to do. “I don’t like to give armchair, unsolicited advice to anyone but when he does ask, I tell him to sometimes take time to rest and eat on time! He is a workaholic and can neglect his health which can eventually affect his work too. He is very young and full of life, so sometimes his boundless energy needs to be tempered with stillness and I’ve been on his case to do Yoga and pranayama to bring the much-needed balance. He has changed quite a bit and now also learnt how to be by himself alone and not be distracted by people’s life, work, or the phone. He is genuinely a good kid and is blessed with a good mind and clean spirit so he does not need much advice from me and because he is a smart kid, life will teach him what he needs to learn in due course of time,” he says.
