Footloose to ABCD, 5 films that will make you put your dancing shoes on

From the shyest introvert to the most raging party animal, dancing is a recuperative form of activity that does not always require a venue or setting. It can make one start dancing anywhere, from the streets to the pub dance floor to one’s cosy bedroom. Iconic dance scenes in End of the F***ing World and Dil Toh Pagal Hai have rendered the projects unforgettable and bingeworthy. If you too like dancing or simply enjoy appreciating it, then these five films will make you want to groove along with the scenes.

Step Up 3D

This 2010 addition to the Step Up franchise is a fan favourite and a box office hit, grossing more than $150 million on a $30 million budget. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film follows Moose’s journey as a freshman in college and Luke and the rest of the Pirates focus on competing in the World Jam dance championship. While Moose juggles studies, relationships with Camille, and dance practices, Luke finds it hard to make ends meet, being months behind on rent among other financial troubles, and is desperate to win the championship with its $100,000 grand prize. Step Up 3D, a film full of epic dance showdowns, can be watched time and again for its evergreen dance sequences.

The film is available on Prime Video and Jio Cinema.

Footloose

A remake of the classic 1984 OG movie of the same name, this 2011 adaptation of Footloose rejuvenates the same plot premise, albeit with a few tweaks here and there. The film focuses on a small town’s rigid laws imposed against dancing and merrymaking after a tragic accident claimed the lives of several of Bomont's teens, who were returning after drinking and dancing. The film follows how town newbie Ren McCormack adjusts to life, new friendships, dancing secretly, and loving even more quietly. However, his strong protest and sincere efforts to reinstate dancing and senior prom for the high schoolers are what make the film worth watching, other than its iconic dance sequence to the title song, Footloose.

The film is available on Prime Video for rent.

ABCD

This Remo D'Souza-directed film stars the talented likes of Prabhu Deva, Ganesh Acharya, and Kay Kay Menon, among others. When a film is directed by a choreographer and stars two other renowned choreographers in the main roles, the film’s dance sequences are bound to be epic. From featuring dancers of all body types to dancers hailing from different social classes, ABCD does not disappoint in its every dance scene and practice sessions. The antagonism of Kay Kay Menon and the Ganesh Visarjan dance finale are worth rewatching multiple times without tiring.

The film is available on Netflix and ZEE5.

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Work It

This 2020 Netflix original, led by Sabrina Carpenter and Jordan Fisher, is proof that even the klutziest teen can drop a few cool moves if they are dedicated enough and truly enjoy dancing. Work It follows the classic winning a championship trope but includes an educational angle to it. Quinn Ackerman must stop thinking and start grooving if she has to set her lies with cement, for her future and her heart are on the line. Work It, a film showcasing different styles of dancing in people according to their persona and nature, deserves a place on your watchlist.

The film is available on Netflix.

Aaja Nachle

Though the Aaja Nachle received a mixed bag of reviews from critics and bombed at the office, the film merits appreciation for its simple yet charismatic story premise and climactic dance drama that brings tears to the eyes of viewers. Exploring the themes of society’s regressive mindset, the hard work a single, working mother puts in every day, as well as the notion that everybody can dance, ranging from a goon to a housewife, is what the film is about, other than its explicit performative premise. The film stars an impressive cast comprising Madhuri Dixit, Akshaye Khanna, Irrfan Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Kunal Kapoor, Jugal Hansraj, and Ranveer Shorey.

The film is available on Prime Video.