Let me start by thanking the grandparents, parents, children and everyone from the bottom of my heart. The love, affection and support of the younger generation towards me has been overwhelming. I am grateful and grateful. I’m happy because this is something I’ve been waiting for for years with all my heart. Yeah “Ramba Ho” has given me this opportunity, I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for all the love and support. Special thanks to Dhurandhar, Aditya Dhar and of course everyone involved in the film for bringing it back to life. The children heard it and opened their arms to me. What else can I say but thank you for giving me one more chance. I love you all.

It’s not just “Ramba ho”, many of your songs were hits.

I feel very blessed that the songs I have done over the years have been successful, be it “Hari Om Hari”, “Koi Yaha Nache Nache”, “Jab Chaye Mera Jaadu”, “Chhodo Sanam” and of course “Ramba Ho”.

You suddenly left the industry to settle in Dubai. Did you feel rejected by Bollywood?

No, I don’t feel distant from anything. The only difference is this wedding where my “Ramba Ho” dance went viral, it gave me a new life. I went on stage with no expectations. I believe that what is yours will come to you even if it is late. Six months into 70, I couldn’t have asked for a better opening. Now all I want is for the world to show me my career.

His other bestseller “Koi Yahan Nache Nache” became popular again after Prabhas danced to it in The Raja Saab.

First of all, I feel absolutely honored that Prabhas danced to my song. No matter how it is implemented, who implements it, the fact is that it was used and to me that is an honor. My time was a long time ago. This is the time for people like Prabhas, who are very successful. I wish you all the luck. There should be no comparisons. The current generation does what it knows best. I did what I knew best and now I am prepared to do what the current generation does. So I hope Prabhas reads this and calls me.

You danced much better than contemporary dancers in these songs.

Thank you. God was kind to me when I was young. He is extremely nice to me now. I didn’t learn anything. I trained in nothing. I am not a qualified dancer. I just dance instinctively.

When I was a child, I started dancing to “Mera Naam Chin Chin Chin” by Helenji. I went on stage and performed to Helenji’s songs and wonderful people like Mukesh uncle, Manna da, Mohammed Rafi sahib, Kishore ji, Kalyanji bhai, Anan ji bhai and most importantly Bappi Lahiri Ji gave me opportunities in their shows. Of course, the industry noticed and gave me my big break. I give full credit to Dev sahib for gifting me the song “Jab Chhaye Mera Jadoo” in Lootmaar. It launched my career with a bang. On the sets of Lootmaar, I signed “Hari Om Hari”, “Chhodo Sanam”, the title track of Bombay ka Maharaja, Sawan Kumar Tak’s lovely “Nautak Mangta Ki Pashver Mangta” in Saajan Ki Saheli and many more. The timing was right and between Bappiji, Usha Uthupji, choreographers Vijay Oscar and I, we created some beautiful songs and the industry was extremely kind to me. That went on for so long until it resonates today. Frankly speaking, if “Ramba Ho” opens new doors, I will surely come back, whether I have to dance or act.

Were you born a dancer?

I don’t claim to be a trained dancer. I think you get what you deserve. If I deserve more, God will give me the opportunity, which is what I have always believed. I did what I could and took what I had. I was happy in my space, whether as a dancer, actress, vampire or whatever. First of all, I never decided my career. Everything happened automatically. I never manipulated. I never planned. I never had a secretary, nothing. It was all instinct. I needed the money. I am the eldest in my family and when I had the opportunity, I took it and it worked. If it was as a dancer, I was very grateful. If I didn’t get the right roles, so be it. But whatever roles I played, people have liked them over the years.

At 70 years old I’m not going to decide what I want to do. Even then I didn’t. I am honest with what I do. I want the job. I’m looking for a job and I’m really happy with whatever direction my life has taken so far. I have kept my doors open. My phone is available. People know me and if they think I deserve something, they will come to me. It is my belief and I will do everything; role, dancing, special appearances, invitation to shows, everything. Anything and everything. I want to work. It’s as simple as that. I would like my 70th birthday to be something I remember now because of my work.

I also didn’t stop working, nor did I turn around and leave my country. Nothing of the sort. I needed to be busy. I needed a job. After Hum Saath Saath Hain, I discovered that work was not coming to me like before and those that did come to me were not up to the mark. I’ve never said I want a long-term role. I’ve never said I want the main dance. I’ve never said I won’t stay out of it. All I said was that it has to come to me with dignity. After Hum Saath Saath Hai, things just came to a standstill.

Why do you think that happened?

I don’t know and I don’t want to get into that because I believe in living for now. I believe in enjoying every moment and this is a beautiful moment in time. If I’m going to get a job right now, I want to enjoy it. The country I arrived in, Dubai, welcomed me with open arms. I had a fabulous job. My family was here with me. My mother, my sister, her son, we lived together. My mother passed away. Now I live with my sister and her son. We are a happy little family. They both work. My sister recently retired. I retired a while ago but I’m waiting with open arms and a little prayer that, please God, this moment becomes work. The world in general, the universe, has shown it to me. I believe in my heart that they will help me.

Any regrets?

I don’t regret anything. I love all my work. I enjoyed all my dances. All my songs are still sung today. What more could I have asked for? Could I have done roles? Yes, I could have, but there’s always an if and but. I believe in the fact that today is beautiful. I want to keep what I have. I want to continue working and I want to do it sincerely and if that is possible, what more can I ask for?

Did you watch Hindi movies in Dubai?

I go to the cinema regularly. I watch what I can with my family and enjoy Hindi films. It has been my base. How can I not watch Hindi movies? But do I have to say which one I liked and which one I didn’t? No. I am not going to be specific in this regard. I am not being diplomatic at all because there is a lot going on in the film and OTT industry, and everyone is working very, very hard. The young people are doing a tremendous job. The new directors are doing a fantastic job. I have tremendous respect for all girls and boys. Everything is fantastic. Look, not everything can be a success, but that doesn’t matter. It doesn’t take away from the amount of effort people put in.

I’m a movie buff. I have always been a film fan and I will continue to be because I am a product of the industry. Even if I’m so far away, I still have great respect and respect for all artists, directors and producers.

Who are the current Bollywood dancers you like to watch?

I like all the dancers. If I mention one specifically, it won’t be fair. I like Nora Fatehi. Look, if I say dancers, it means they don’t play roles. It’s not good, but it doesn’t matter. At dance, I enjoy watching Tamannah Bhatia, Shraddha Kapoor, Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt. They are heroines but they still dance very well. They are so beautiful. They work very hard. If there is someone I haven’t mentioned, it’s not because I think they don’t deserve to be mentioned. These are the names I can remember immediately. And if I don’t appreciate it as a senior, it’s a shame. Let me say one thing.

Sure…

The people who were older than me and before me in the film industry were all my role models. Be it Helenji, Aruna Iraniji, Binduji, Jayshree T, Bela Bose and many more. All of them were my inspiration. I did a lot of Helenji’s songs. That was because I was thin and could move easily and I was untrained. Instinctively I danced a lot to their songs and enjoyed them all, every one of them. All my elders deserve all my respect.

He was associated with Amjad Khan for a long time. How do you remember that?

I no longer talk about anything or anyone who is not alive to defend themselves, be it my family member or anyone else because I don’t have time to think about things that are not relevant in my life.