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Ali G. teaches Bollywood to strip: The Asian Age
Bangalore, June 29: Dance directors are a dime a dozen in Bollywood. But a `stripping sequence choreographer` has to be a first. Deepak Tijori`s directorial debut Oops has 27-year-old Ali G., a male stripper, doubling up as choreographer for the stripping scenes in the film.
Bangalore, June 29: Dance directors are a dime a dozen in Bollywood. But a "stripping sequence choreographer" has to be a first. Deepak Tijori’s directorial debut Oops has 27-year-old Ali G., a male stripper, doubling up as choreographer for the stripping scenes in the film.
Ali also has a bit role in this film of the story of two male strippers. "In a way, the movie is loosely based on my life. I acquainted Tijori with what strippers do," he claims.
For Oops the "acts" have been suitably altered. "The real ones can get quite raunchy, but even after a lot of toning down, the audience will still be in for a shock," Ali promises.
Ali used to be a background dancer in Bollywood before he became a stripper in 1998. He has performed in Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad and Mumbai. "I get calls for bashes where women want a stripper and for bridal showers. I usually do upmarket shows for high society women. They have the resources and enjoy these sessions," he explains.
Is stripping a lucrative profession? "The money is good. But there is no fixed rate. It varies from client to client. Stripping here isn’t enough to make a living. Abroad, it is a profession. You can mint money. In India it hasn’t really come of age," he explains.
But for Ali, more than the money, it is about the fun he derives.
"Stripping is a hobby for me, something I enjoy doing," he explains.
Ali also claims the demand for male strippers has risen in the recent past. "There are not many of us around. And it is still an underground thing. But yes, from when I started, the demand has definitely increased." His busiest months are predictably during the marriage season — September, January and February.
Ali believes in the adage — if you have it, flaunt it. "Most male strippers are shy about what they do. But not me. At least I’m not a hypocrite," he asserts.
Ali also has a bit role in this film of the story of two male strippers. "In a way, the movie is loosely based on my life. I acquainted Tijori with what strippers do," he claims.
For Oops the "acts" have been suitably altered. "The real ones can get quite raunchy, but even after a lot of toning down, the audience will still be in for a shock," Ali promises.
Ali used to be a background dancer in Bollywood before he became a stripper in 1998. He has performed in Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad and Mumbai. "I get calls for bashes where women want a stripper and for bridal showers. I usually do upmarket shows for high society women. They have the resources and enjoy these sessions," he explains.
Is stripping a lucrative profession? "The money is good. But there is no fixed rate. It varies from client to client. Stripping here isn’t enough to make a living. Abroad, it is a profession. You can mint money. In India it hasn’t really come of age," he explains.
But for Ali, more than the money, it is about the fun he derives.
"Stripping is a hobby for me, something I enjoy doing," he explains.
Ali also claims the demand for male strippers has risen in the recent past. "There are not many of us around. And it is still an underground thing. But yes, from when I started, the demand has definitely increased." His busiest months are predictably during the marriage season — September, January and February.
Ali believes in the adage — if you have it, flaunt it. "Most male strippers are shy about what they do. But not me. At least I’m not a hypocrite," he asserts.