Deepa Mehta and Divya Kumar team up for Her Majesty The Queen

"I received the call from Deepa Mehta’s office requesting to choreograph a piece of Jai Ho for Her Majesty coming to Toronto, and then it all started", Divya begins to say. Assisting Divya on the first day of rehearsal, Deepa noticed Tricia Bhim and immediately approached her for an audition for the lead role, "I was at first hesitant as it was the Deepa Mehta asking me but she was very friendly and kind, I agreed and was instantly casted as the character of Elizabeth", Tricia says. Many key film industry professionals were on board as Divya was proud to offer his vision in choreography for the popular song "Jai Ho" alongside Director Deepa Mehta and performed by lead female, Tricia in the exclusive 3-minute dance routine. In addition, the lead male was also chosen from Divya Kumar’s Bollywood Dance Pak group, Pratik along with Chase and Karina as principal dancers in this unique 3D Bollywood dance scene especially for Her Majesty.

 

Her Majesty the Queen of England and the Duke of Edinburgh, along with Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty visited Sheridan College’s Screen Industries Research and Training Centre (SIRT) at Pinewood Toronto Studios on Monday, July 5th.  The event demonstrated the advanced application of technologies occurring within Ontario. Her Majesty and His Royal Highness viewed a scene from a television mini-series, directed by esteemed and award-winning Director Deepa Mehta as it was performed and captured with 3D technology.

 

When asked how it was working with Deepa, Divya replied, "the experience was amazing as Deepa is an awesome person, very humble at the same time and of course an amazing director to work with"! Divya Kumar, the first South Asian, Bollywood Choreographer in Canada with his talented team including Tricia and the Dance Pak were a part of this rare opportunity, however with all their experiences and accolades it is a known fact that their talents are "royal worthy"!