The upcoming film O’Romeo, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj and starring Shahid Kapoor, Triptii Dimri, Avinash Tiwary, and others, has generated interest due to its ensemble casting, subject, trailer, music, and more. It has come to light that the film features a unique dance sequence that promises to provide the audience with a never-before-seen experience. The said sequence is choreographed by Kunal Om, a reputed Flamenco dance performer, choreographer, conceptualizer and creative director. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Kunal Om spoke about his contribution to O’Romeo, his journey and a lot more.
EXCLUSIVE: Vishal Bhardwaj brings Flamenco to Bollywood; Kunal Om crafts O’Romeo’s ‘never-seen-before’ dance spectacle; reveals, “Vishal ji is a gem of a person; Avinash Tiwary is very patient and dedicated”
On Sunday, February 1, you performed at the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2026. What was the thought process behind your performance, which was a fusion of Flamenco and Qawwali?
I have created various fusions with Flamenco in the last 7-8 years. This one was created last year because Sufi and Qawwali are deep, intense formats and also interactive at the same time. The same goes for Flamenco. Moreover, the singing style in qawwali and Sufi music is quite similar to the Spanish character of Flamenco singing. That’s how we developed this concept and we gave it a try. It got a great response. When we got a platform at Kala Ghoda, we decided to present it. Their team was also intrigued by the whole concept. Thankfully, it was well-received. Moreover, Qawwali was performed by the intelligent and lovely musician, Mujtaba Aziz Naza, the son of the great maestro Aziz Naza. Hence, it was a fantastic experience.
February is also a special month for you because O’Romeo will release on February 13. How did you bag the film?
I was in Spain last year when I got a call from Vishal Bhardwaj ji’s office. They informed me that Vishal ji wanted to meet. Once I returned, I met them. There are a lot of elements in the film that I have worked on. But I can’t speak much about it until the release.
This was my first experience of working on a film. A chunk of O’Romeo is shot in Spain and they wanted the Spanish style of choreography.
How was it working with Vishal Bhardwaj?
It was great as he’s a gem of a person. He himself is an artist and also a music director. So, he understands a lot of things very differently. He loves to explore new styles. He was also deeply connected with Flamenco. I initially came on board for a very small part but my contribution kept growing. That’s how I even ended up choreographing some more parts of the film.
You have shared a reel where we can see you dancing with Avinash Tiwary. How was it working with him?
He’s a very talented guy and also very patient and dedicated. That was one of the sequences that I choreographed. Kashyap Baldev Shangari, who plays Avinash’s brother, is also a part of the sequence. I spent a lot of time with Avinash and both he and Kashyap were quite excited about the whole thing.
Did you get a chance to work with Shahid Kapoor, who’s known for his excellent dance skills?
I did not, as Shahid’s character doesn’t do Flamenco in the film. I got a chance to interact with him, but didn’t work with him.
Did you get any film offers before O’Romeo?
Honestly, I didn’t get any offer prior to O’Romeo. Since 2012-13, I have been spending a lot of time shuttling between Spain and India. I was more focused on the fusion of Flamenco with folk music genres of Rajasthan, Sufi, Qawwali or Kathak dance. This is because in India, you have to blend Flamenco in Fusion formats and present it to the audience so that they can understand it better.
How has been the response to Flamenco in India over the years?
My friend Bosco Martis choreographed the song ‘Senorita’ in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011). Through that film, Spain became very famous among Indians. There’s no Flamenco in ‘Senorita’, but he brought a lot of Spanish flavour to the whole song. That enticed a lot of people to travel to Spain. Once they returned from Spain and saw my fusion dance, many remarked, ‘We saw Flamenco in Seville or Madrid and the kind of Flamenco you do is absolutely fantastic’. They had also never imagined that a fusion involving Flamenco was possible. I do it keeping the audience in mind. If the attendees are massy, it is a very different format compared to when it’s done for the elite crowd. But keeping it within the boundaries of Flamenco is very important.
Moreover, I am very well-connected with the world community. They do keep a tab on what I do. I don’t want them to feel ‘What is this man doing in India with the dance’!
Recently, the Ministry of External Affairs of India has signed a contract with Spain, focusing on the cultural and other verticals. This development will make a lot of difference. A lot of artists from Spain will come down to India, resulting in collaboration. It’s a good sign for us and for the growth of Flamenco in India.
Tell us about your beginnings.
My grandparents were from Rajasthan. They came from a very simple, humble background and were known for their social work. Later, they moved to Bhilai. That’s where I was born. When I was not even a year old, my parents moved to Mumbai. I started dancing professionally at the age of 14. I began with Jazz, Bollywood and various other dance styles. My parents also supported me, though my mother really wanted me to study hard (smiles)! However, my father motivated me to follow my dreams. As for my distant family members, they were involved in the fields of education and business. When they saw that I had achieved success, is when they proudly said, ‘This is my family member’. Before that, they were wondering what I was doing in life (laughs).
What next?
I am a lot into live shows and concerts and I am looking forward to them this year. I am also in talks with Vishal ji for some more creations after the release of O’Romeo. He’s also intrigued about how to explore Flamenco and take it further. He loves the Fusion that I perform.
More Pages: O’ Romeo Box Office Collection
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