Name: Remo D’Souza
Profession: Choreographer, film director, and producer
Born: 2 April 1974 in Bangalore, India
Nationality: Indian
Known for: Dance India Dance, ABCD: Any Body Can Dance, Street Dancer 3D
Biography
Remo D’Souza, born Ramesh Gopi Nair on 2 April 1974 in Bangalore, India, is a renowned choreographer, film director, and producer in the Bollywood industry. Raised in a Hindu family by his parents, Gopi Nair and Madhaviyamma, D’Souza discovered his passion for dance at a young age. He left school during his Higher Secondary Certificate exams to pursue a career in dance, largely self-taught by watching movies and music videos, with Michael Jackson as his primary inspiration.
D’Souza’s choreography career spans over 25 years, with more than 100 films to his credit. He made his television debut with the dance reality show Dance India Dance (DID) and later transitioned to directing with the comedy film F.A.L.T.U. His most notable works include the ABCD franchise, comprising ABCD: Any Body Can Dance, Disney’s ABCD 2, and Street Dancer 3D, all of which received positive reviews and commercial success.
Throughout his career, D’Souza has been recognized with several awards, including a National Film Award for Best Choreography for the song “Deewani Mastani” in Bajirao Mastani (2016). He has also been a judge on various dance reality shows, such as Dance Plus for seven consecutive seasons.
D’Souza is married to Lizelle Watkins (now D’Souza), a costume designer, and the couple has two sons, Dhruv and Gabriel. In December 2020, he suffered a heart attack but has since recovered.
Awards and Accolades
- National Film Award for Best Choreography (2016) for “Deewani Mastani” in Bajirao Mastani
- International Indian Film Academy Award for Best Choreography (2014) for Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
- International Indian Film Academy Award for Best Choreography (2016) for Bajirao Mastani
Interesting Facts
- D’Souza learned to dance by watching movies and music videos, with Michael Jackson being a significant influence.
- He has been a role model for many Indian choreographers and has contributed to using dance as a therapeutic outlet for children with special needs.
Current Projects/Recent Work
His most recent directorial venture was Street Dancer 3D, released on 24 January 2020, which received positive reviews and grossed ₹102 crores worldwide.
Controversies or Notable Public Incidents:
In 2023, D’Souza and his wife faced allegations of cheating and forgery related to a dance troupe’s prize money. The couple has denied the allegations and promised to cooperate with authorities.
