It’s been nearly one yr since we first chatted with Quick Style. Cut to right now, the Norwegian dance group has amassed over 10 crore views on the YouTube video of its members dancing to Kala Chashma (Baar Baar Dekho, 2016) and Chura Ke Dil Mera (Main Khiladi Tu Anari, 1994). They have additionally joined arms with a few of the largest names in leisure. The previous yr, in their very own phrases, has been nothing however “surreal”.
We caught up with the dance group — presently on their maiden journey to India — for a enjoyable, unique shoot in Mumbai. “India is so colourful, people [here] are so nice. We are learning every day,” Bilal Malik, the group’s co-founder, tells us, as we quiet down for a chat after the shoot. Another founding member, Nasir Sirikhan, chimes in, “More than half of our following is from here, they’ve been supporting us for 10 years! We’ve been wanting to come here for a decade now.”
But, what took them lengthy? “Often, when we want to do something, the opposite happens. This is our story,” Sirikhan replies, including, “We came to India just for a handshake, but we got a hug! In just three-four days, it (India) feels like home.”
A meet-and-greet was additionally deliberate throughout their go to, which bought bought out very quickly!
Of late, Quick Style has been collaborating with a bunch of massive names, the newest to affix the checklist being former Indian skipper, Virat Kohli. “We are meeting great people and working with a lot of talented people behind the scenes as well. There’s a very genuine connection when we meet them. That’s how the outcome is so cool. We are learning from them, too,” says Bilal.
Mention Mumbai and one of many first issues that involves thoughts is vada pav. Have these dancers dug into this humble bun bursting with flavours, but? They look puzzled, however the minute we are saying ‘Indian burger’, pat comes the response: “Oh yes!” “I put a lot of extra chutney, it was so good!” gushes Bilal.
That aside, Quick Style has ticked off one other quintessential Mumbai trait. “We travelled in a local train, put up a performance for people there and made videos! It was the most extreme experience. When we wanted to change seats, they were like ‘okay’! They supported us, everyone smiled. Then, we met 70 creators. All of them have so much to give. We got a closer look at the people following us,” says Sirikhan.
The group is likely going to return for a pan-India tour that would come with stops at Kerala, Delhi and Chennai. Has life modified again residence after the worldwide fame they’ve bought? Sirikhan says, “Not really, you can be the biggest person [in whatever field], people in Norway don’t care. But, small changes have indeed happened.”
He elaborates, “The other day, Bilal and I were in the market to buy groceries. Two Somalian ladies, who would [otherwise] walk by us without interacting, stopped and said to us, ‘Are you guys going to dance?’ We had never imagined [something like] that would happen. We always knew that our target audience is those between the ages of 15 to 35. Now, older men and women back home also know who we are!”
Source: www.hindustantimes.com